If anyone comes to me for tips on how to get dogs to listen more, I always ask them to do this:

“Think of the most connected, most effective conversations you’ve had with a loved one. Were they done with shouting, or were they filled with calm, understanding energy?”

Surely, you would say the latter.

And it’s true. As a parent, the most effective conversations I've had with my children are ones done in absolute calmness.

No anger.

Without raised voices.

No hurtful words.

And like what I mentioned in my book “What The Dogs Taught Me About Being A Parent”, it’s the same with our dogs!

One of the best ways to make dogs listen and connect with us is to practice silence and calm energy whenever we communicate with them.

Read on to learn more about this.

Key Takeaways:

• Dogs listen and connect with us more when we have a calmer energy.


• Starting the day with a calmer energy helps our dogs become calm and receptive to us.


• What we consider as regular noise can already be too overwhelming for our dogs. Making sure our energies and noise are regulated can help dogs tune in better.

CONNECT WITH YOUR DOGS BETTER WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE™️
Table of Contents:

1. How to Get Dogs to Listen: We Listen More to Silence Than the Noise


2. Why Silence Is Important in Making Dogs Listen to Us More


3. 5 Reasons Why a Dog Is Not Responding To You
   
   3.1 Reason #1: They Are Overwhelmed
   
   3.2 Reason #2: The Energy You Have Speaks Differently Than Your Voice
   
   3.3 Reason #3: You're Shouting a Lot, and They No Longer Know What's Urgent and What's Not
   
   3.4 Reason #4: You Are Not Connected with Your Dog
   
   3.5 Reason #5: They Don't See You as a Leader They Can Trust


4. Use this Quick Exercise on Silence and Calm Energy To Make Your Dog Listen More
   
   4.1 Step 1: Start Your Day Quietly
   
   4.2 Step 2: Observe the Effect on Your Dog
   
   4.3 Step 3: Call Your Dog Calmly


5. How to Get Dogs to Listen More: Why Yelling Is Not the Answer
   
   5.1 Reason #1: Yelling Tells Your Dog You’re Not a Confident Leader, Making It Hard for Them to Follow You
   
   5.2 Reason #2: Yelling — as a Knee Jerk Reaction — Rarely Builds Any Connection
   
   5.3 Reason #3: If We Go About Yelling Every Time, Our Dog Will Constantly Carry a Stressed Energy With Them


6. The Dog Calming Code: The Program That Helps Calm Dogs Down and Makes Them Listen More

 










How To Get Dogs to Listen: We Listen More to Silence Than The Noise

Let me share a simple story that shows why quiet moments matter when communicating with dogs.

 

My wife and I went on a double date with our friends one evening.

We all started chatting in the car and having a great time.

But during the trip, something interesting happened.

My friend and I stopped talking and focused on listening to our wives speaking softly.

My friend turned to me and said, "Hey, mate, I think they're talking about something important!"

We spent the rest of the drive in complete silence, eager to hear what they were discussing.

This experience made me realize that sometimes, being quiet and calm helps you communicate better than shouting!

This lesson from everyday life also applies to training dogs. Our dogs respond better to calm and quiet energy than loud noises.

If you really want your dog to listen, focus on the silence and the calm.

LEARN HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR DOGS BETTER WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE
Why Silence Is Important in Making Dogs Listen to Us More

Important note: I have to add here that when I say silence, I don’t mean you say zero words to your dog. It is being intentional with words, ensuring we keep what we say, and our energy, in check.

So, why is silence important for dogs?

In the wild, dogs are calmer and quieter. They are not used to hearing shouting. In fact, they only use their sound — like barking and howling — to communicate danger and to protect the pack.

They use noise for the REAAAALLY important stuff.

It’s a different story for our domesticated dogs.

Every single day, they have to deal with different kinds of noise like:

• The hustle and bustle of morning preparations when kids and adults start their day.


• The busy reunions at night time when everyone has to scramble to prepare for dinner or family time.


• Loud sports matches on TV and the hyperactive energy from watching these kind of programs.

And what seems to be regular noise to us is already too much for our dogs. Too much that it makes dogs tune out and not hear what we are saying!

And this overwhelm and tuning out makes it hard for dogs to understand your commands, which can make you wonder, “Does my dog even listen to me?”

5 Reasons Why a Dog Is Not Responding To You

I always tell dog owners this: a dog who doesn’t seem to listen is a dog who has tuned out.

Dogs are not inherently disobedient and defiant. Sometimes, it’s just hard for them to get you.

Here are some factors that could contribute to their inability to listen and respond to your commands.

Reason #1: They Are Overwhelmed

Just like humans, our dogs can become overwhelmed by their surroundings or situations.

If your dog is exposed to too much stimuli, such as noise, new people, or unfamiliar environments, they may need help to focus on your commands.

It's crucial to recognize when your dog might be feeling overwhelmed and take steps to create a calmer and more controlled environment.

What to Do

If you suspect your dog has tuned out, retrace what happened before. Have you been shouting more? Is the noise at home louder this time? Is there increased activity in your home?

Knowing what caused your dog to tune out can help you understand what’s causing your dog to become unresponsive to your commands.

Reason #2: The Energy You Have Speaks Differently Than Your Voice

Dogs are highly attuned to energy and body language.

In fact, they can sense your emotions and intentions often more accurately than they can understand your words.

Feelings of anxiety, frustration, or impatience… your dog feels them.

When they pick up on these negative emotions, it becomes more difficult for them to respond positively to your commands.

What to Do

Always make sure that your energy matches your words. If you ask your dog to “Please calm down," you have to be calm as well.

Remember: dogs understand energy more than words! When they see that you’re calm, they can calm down, too.

DOG CALMING CODE: TEACHES DOGS TO REALLY LISTEN TO YOU
Reason #3: You're Shouting a Lot, and They No Longer Know What's Urgent and What's Not

Consistent shouting or using a loud, commanding tone can lead to confusion for your dog.

The louder you shout, the more they are d