If you have a dog, there will come a time when your dog will say to you “Don’t Wanna, Don’t Hafta”. That is the moment when you ask your dog to do something, and he ignores you. The question is, what do you do when this happens? I’m sharing what I do when my dog says “no” and the questions we need to ask ourselves. In the resources below, I’m referencing a number of previous podcast episodes that I strongly encourage you to check out with the context of what I say here in mind.
In the episode you'll hear:
- Why it’s important to value compassion more than ambition.
- Your right to have expectations about how your dog behaves.
- About your dog’s competing values.
- Why considering your dog’s stage of learning is vital.
- The importance of asking yourself if your dog is saying no due to fear.
- What I noticed with my puppy This! in class recently with a golf cart.
- My 5 keys for working through “Don’t Wanna, Don’t Hafta”.
- How to rehearse your dog doing what you ask, when you ask, with fun games.
- What it means to be the keeper of the joy.
- About hard-wired behaviours and “Don’t Wanna, Don’t Hafta”
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules?
- Podcast Episode 46: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You and What You Can Do About It
- Podcast Episode 44: Using Coincidences and Positive Associations in Dog Training
- Podcast Episode 42: Behavior Chains: Are You Teaching Your Dog to be Bad to be Good?
- Game: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC)
- Podcast Episode 24: Help for the Dog who Chases Chipmunks, Bicycles, and the Neighbor’s Cat
- Blog Post: How to Use the Distraction Intensity Index to Help Your Dog
I had three lovely Chihuahuas, They are now over the Rainbow Bridge. I very much wanted to have dogs in my life. I brought into my home two Chihuahua puppies in September and October of 2021. Reputable breeder. They have the same daddy, different moms. They are bred to be performance dogs. My other three did agility and nose work. I am not totally inexperienced, but these puppies are challenging. They have great personalities and get along very well. But I knew of your training and I knew these two were not going to train themselves. With their intelligence and energy I know I need to know what to do and how to do it. I am going through your podcasts and am doing the Recallers material through your emails. I already feel a bit more confidence in working with the puppies and am so grateful for all the material you have made available online in various ways. Thank you, Lynne, Reggie and Bilbo
I have an 11-month-old border collie who I have been training using homeschool your dog crate games and I’ve listen to most of your podcasts. I continue to have a problem in that whenever we go for a walk she doesn’t want to walk she lays down on the concrete or should I go underneath the tree and lay there and will not move. If I try to lift her up she rolls over on her back and nips at my hands. It’s not too hot out I go early in the morning. She just has absolutely no desire to go for walks anymore. I’m wondering if it’s because every time we walk she will see a runner or a bicycle and she cannot control herself. She goes into a down position till they get close then she forcefully lunges at them barking. I have tried every suggestion you have said to get her attention or want to play with me I back up nothing helps. She’s getting worse instead of better. I could really use some detailed direction as to what to do. I have evaluated her and feel that perhaps she is fearful but I have to take her for a walk. I live in suburbia not in open space, so I have cars runners bikes. There is no place I can go not to run into that. Not even at five in the morning. There will always be a runner or bike. I Have drove to different areas close by that may not have as many people or runners but it never fails they always show up. I think it is unrealistic to try to remove her from that since that is how her environment always is and always will be. Do you have any suggestions, like detailed instruction as to what I should do?
Hi Susan,
I just started listening to your podcast 3 weeks ago. I’m just now on episode 47. I have gone back to do some homework, re-listen and make notes on a few. I brought a new puppy into my home in December. I was first introduced to you through his breeder. I know I’m slow at getting started but we are learning so much. I’m even working with my 3yr old (Dania), to rebuild some of our relationship as well. We have started doing the games you have talked about. I had been doing some of them before listening to your podcast not realizing what I was doing. I have noticed a big change in all of us by just doing some homework. I just signed up for crate games.
I have a question and hopefully you can tell me which podcast I need to listen to or give me a new perspective. Klaus the 5 month old has an issue with excitement/nervous/stress peeing. He likes to run and pee when I’m getting ready for work. We have been out 20 minutes prior to me getting ready. We have also exercised and done games. As soon as I sit down to put my work shoes on he instantly starts whining and run peeing across the house. I’ve ignored it, given some negative attention trying to stop it and even tried doing games to change his focus but we are not clicking. I’ve been told that it’s an age thing and he’ll grow out of it. However I feel I’m missing something. He’s also doing the same behavior in the car while in his crate. We will be going out for shows and trails starting in June and I’m hoping and thinking we will get a handle on this together.
Thank you for your knowledge. Dania, Klaus and I are very grateful.
great podcast Susan! Reminded me of ways to set up DwDh for my “teenage” 6 mo old BC who seems to be “forgetting” the rules…!
I just had a “Dont Wanna Dont Hafta” moment, before I put on podcast. Today Zak was doing a little fun course inside and then I wanted him to tug as his next activity. He said DWDH. He just wanted more other play to get cookies!!!! I have to work on more value for ME!!! This podcast was perfect timing for me