“Do nothing which is of no use.” – Miyamoto Musashi
In my book The Way of the Dog, I discuss how stubborn we tend to be when working with dogs, often complicating what should be simple. People frequently complain that their dogs don’t listen to them. When I respond that I don’t want a dog that listens to me but rather one that responds, I’m usually met with the same head tilt I’d get from a confused dog.
Most dog owners notice that their dogs follow them everywhere—whether they’re heading to the kitchen, the bathroom, or another room—without being called. It’s instinctual. Yet, when they actually need their dog’s attention—like when trying to stop barking—they do the opposite: standing still, facing the same direction as the dog, and yelling.
Here’s the problem: your dog is always aware of where you are. When they bark at a sound or movement and you “bark” behind them, they assume you’re reacting to the same thing—either calling the pack together or trying to scare something away. So, they keep barking. And you keep yelling. At that moment, you and your dog are operating on the same level, making your words meaningless because they hear you speak all the time.
Instead, the next time your dog barks at something, resist the urge to yell. Instead of speaking, move. If they glance at you, simply walk away and see if they follow. In the dog world, a high-ranking member turning their back on something signals indifference, which communicates to the lower-ranking dog that there’s nothing to worry about. If they don’t look at you, walk up, tap them on the rear, and as soon as they turn, walk away. Most likely, they’ll follow. When they do, turn and praise them.
Over time, they’ll begin to bark a few times and then check in with you. When that happens, lean forward slightly—mimicking a play bow or a “come to me” gesture—and shower them with praise. A dog that looks to you won’t be barking at what they just turned their back on. When there’s trust and understanding, you don’t need to yell for attention—when your dog is uncertain, they’ll naturally focus on you.