Why Does My Dog Ignore Me on Walks? How to Finally Get Their Attention by Anna Hope
Let’s face it: there is nothing quite like the humbling experience of standing in a muddy Rugby field, shouting your dog’s name for the fifteenth time, while they completely ignore you to sniff a particularly interesting blade of grass.
It makes you feel less like a beloved pet owner and more like an unpaid, invisible poo-bag valet.
When your dog treats you like dead weight at the end of the lead, walks quickly lose their shine. The good news is, you don’t need to shout louder. You just need to change the game so your dog realises that you are actually the most interesting part of the walk.
A simple way to start this is by practicing "check-ins" close to your side. In a recent video on my page with the lovely Frenchie, Bella, I demonstrated exactly how to do this by delivering a treat right against the seam of my trousers. The goal is to teach them that staying close to you equals great things.
But here is a confession: even after 13 years of coaching local families, my own training mechanics can get a bit sloppy!
In that exact clip, I didn't bend my knees or reach down far enough. Because the treat was too high, Bella did what any normal dog would do—she hopped up to grab it. By handing over the food while her paws were in the air, I accidentally rewarded her for jumping up!
Dog training isn't about being a flawless robot. It's just about noticing those little moments, having a laugh at yourself, bending your knees next time, and keeping things moving.
If you can get your dog to focus on you for just a few seconds around distractions, you are well on your way to a much more relaxing, sociable walk.
Tired of being completely ignored every time you leave the house? Let's get your dog listening to you again. Drop me an email today and let’s set up a relaxed 1-to-1 training plan tailored to your family life! ☕👇