23/12/2025
I can’t tell you how often people reach out and say that their dog doesn’t listen. People seem to forget that while dogs generally hear well, listening to a human’s direction is a learned skill.
In this video, Quinn is less than 9 weeks old. I had only begun teaching her name a few days before. Before I can expect her to come to me, I have to teach her what it sounds like when I’m addressing her and what I want her to do with that information.
Like most people, I was curious to see if she had connected the dots enough to choose to come towards me. In that moment, her toy was more rewarding to her than my treat. She also may not have completely connected the treat to her name yet.
Rather than get irritated with a puppy, I realized that we had to go backwards before going forwards. She needed more conditioning to her name and associating a reward with coming towards me.
Quinn always has a drag leash on so that I can get her if I need her without teaching her to ignore my words.
Training a puppy is so fun and fascinating but also has plenty of humbling moments! Try to slow down, be patient, and enjoy developing a new relationship.
