Your Dog Isn't Deaf or Stubborn – It's Just Not Being Understood

Why your dog might not be listening (and why shouting won’t help)

If your dog doesn’t come back when called, pulls on the lead, or seems to ignore your commands, it’s not because they’re deaf or defiant. Most often, it’s because they’re confused.

Dogs don’t instinctively know what “sit,” “stay,” or “come here” mean — they have to learn. If that learning hasn’t happened properly (or consistently), shouting louder won’t suddenly make your dog understand. It’s like expecting someone who doesn’t speak English to suddenly respond when you raise your voice.

Think of it as a language barrier. If you went to Spain without knowing Spanish, you wouldn’t shout louder in English at the locals — you’d try to find a better way to communicate. You might use hand gestures, a translation app, or learn a few key phrases. The same goes for your dog. They don’t need volume — they need clarity, patience, and reinforcement.

At The Mindful Handler, we use positive, clear, one-to-one training methods that help you build a common language with your dog — not through punishment or pressure, but through understanding and trust. Because once your dog truly understands what you’re asking, they’re much more likely to respond — every time.