Ever found yourself repeating your dog's name fifteen times in a row while they completely ignore you? Or frantically saying "No! Stop!" as your puppy continues doing exactly what you don't want them to do? If you're nodding along, you're not alone.
We often talk about what you
should do in training but let's look at what you
shouldn't do. Here are five common mistakes I see dog parents making every day – and what to do instead.
1. Repeating Your Dog's Name Over and Over
Imagine your puppy is distracted by something fascinating (probably a leaf) and you're desperately calling "Bella! Bella! BELLA! BELLAAA!" with increasing urgency.
Why it's a problem: Your dog's name should be valuable. It's essentially saying "pay attention, I'm going to communicate with you." When we repeat it endlessly without response, we're teaching them that their name has no consequences. It weakens the power of their name as a cue.
What to do instead: If they don't respond the first time, stop and check why they're not listening. Are they too distracted? Too tired? Instead of repeating yourself, wait for a moment when they might re-engage naturally or change your approach to make yourself more interesting than whatever has captured their attention.
2. Saying "No" or "Stop" Out of Desperation
It feels natural to shout "No!" or "Stop!" when your dog is doing something unwanted, like pulling on the lead or chewing your favourite shoes.
Why it's a problem: These words rarely mean anything to your dog without proper training. We tend to say them in a harsh tone (often with a pointed finger), which can be intimidating rather than instructive. Your dog might stop temporarily out of uncertainty or fear but they haven't learned what you actually want them to do instead.
What to do instead: Focus on teaching and rewarding the behaviour you DO want. Instead of shouting "no" when your puppy is jumping up, teach and reward keeping four paws on the floor. Replace the unwanted behaviour with something that you can positively reinforce.
3. Defaulting to "Sit" for Everything
When your dog is excited, jumping up or pulling on the lead, it's tempting to ask them to sit as a way to control the situation.
Why it's a problem: While this might temporarily stop the unwanted behaviour, it doesn't teach your dog how to handle the situation appropriately. It also reinforces sitting as a default behaviour, which can make teaching other positions more challenging. Your dog learns "sitting works for everything" rather than learning specific behaviours for specific situations.
What to do instead: Think about what you actually want your dog to do in that situation. If they're excitedly greeting people, teach them an appropriate greeting behaviour. If they're pulling on the lead, teach loose-lead walking skills. Address the specific behaviour rather than using "sit" as a catch-all solution.
4. Repeating Cues Multiple Times
"Sit. Sit. SIT. SIT!" Sound familiar?
Why it's a problem: Each time you repeat a cue without response, it loses power. Your dog isn't deliberately ignoring you – they're either distracted, unsure what the cue means in this context or don't see sufficient motivation to comply.
What to do instead: Say the cue once. If it doesn't work, stop and assess why. Do they truly understand what you're asking? Is the environment too distracting? Is your reward worth working for? Get all those elements lined up before trying again. It’s a bit like calling children for dinner – if you call them 50 times before the food is actually ready, they'll learn your first several calls don't mean anything.
5. Pulling on the Lead to Get Attention
When your dog isn't paying attention, it's tempting to give a little tug on the lead as a "hey, listen to me" signal.
Why it's a problem: Lead tugs are uncomfortable and can damage the trust in your relationship. Your dog doesn't think, "Oh, I should pay attention"; they think, "That was unpleasant." You're creating a negative association with training rather than building a willing partnership.
What to do instead: Use positive reinforcement to reward attention and engagement. Make yourself more interesting than the distractions by having high-value treats, an excited tone or interesting movements. Build a relationship where your dog
wants to engage with you, not one where they feel they
must.
So What Should You Do?
When your training isn't going to plan, try these approaches instead:
- Pause and ask "why?": If your dog isn’t responding as expected, consider:
- Are they tired or overwhelmed?
- Are they distracted by something?
- Do they truly understand what you're asking?
- Have they practiced this skill enough in this environment?
- Are you expecting too much too soon?
- Create situations for success: Set up training scenarios where your dog can win. If they're struggling, make it easier. Success builds confidence and motivation for both of you.
- Lower your expectations (temporarily): Sometimes we expect our dogs to perform like they're at Crufts when they've only just learned a skill. Scale back and build up gradually, especially in new or distracting environments.
- Take breaks: Dogs, like humans, need mental breaks. If training isn't going well, stop and have a little rest. Go for a sniff, sit on a bench or just chill out together. This gives both of you time to reset and prevents frustration building up.
Training should be enjoyable for both you and your dog. If either of you is getting frustrated, it's time to take a step back, simplify and focus on making it fun again. Your relationship with your dog matters more than perfecting that recall in record time.
What training habit do you struggle with the most? If you’d like to chat about this or any other dog-related topic, head over to our
Potter Paws Facebook Group. We’re a friendly and supportive bunch of dog owners who share experiences, tips and advice. We’d love to see you there!
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