3 Reasons Your Dog Doesn’t Listen to You in Agility (And What to Do About It)

We’ve all been there. You call, cue, or shout—but your dog blasts past you, makes their own course, or ignores your signals altogether. It’s frustrating, especially when you know they understand the skill.

But here's the truth:
It’s not stubbornness. It’s communication breakdown.
Here are the top three reasons your dog may not be listening—and how to fix it.

1. You’re Not As Clear As You Think

Dogs don’t speak English. They read body language, tone, patterns, and timing. If your cues are inconsistent, late, or conflict with your movement, your dog gets confused.

💡 Fix it: Record your runs. Watch where your cues land. Clean up your handling so your dog can predict what’s coming—and respond with confidence.

2. Your Reinforcement History Is Weak

Why should your dog want to listen? If they’re not consistently rewarded for responding correctly, the value fades. You might think they know something, but without strong reinforcement history, behaviour becomes optional.

💡 Fix it: Rebuild value in your cues with short, sharp reward-based sessions. Make responding worth it again.

3. You’ve Accidentally Taught Them to Ignore You

Ouch—but it’s true. Every time you repeat a cue and let them blow past it, or give a release when criteria aren’t met, you’re teaching them: “You don’t have to listen the first time.”

💡 Fix it: Tighten your criteria. Follow through. Stop repeating cues—make every cue count.

Listening is a trained skill—just like weaving or jumping.
If your dog isn’t listening, don’t take it personally. Take it as information.

👉 Ask: What have I been reinforcing? How consistent am I?

Great agility teams aren’t built on obedience—they’re built on trust, clarity, and timing. Be the handler your dog wants to listen to.

Want help reviewing your handling and training approach? Book a video analysis or 1-1 session with me and let’s troubleshoot it together.