25 Things You Can Do to Earn Your Dog’s Respect

Ever wonder why some dogs listen to their owners like obedient little angels while others act like they have selective hearing? It’s not magic—it’s respect. And no, it doesn’t come from being the loudest, the biggest, or the one holding the treat bag. It comes from how you act every single day.

If you want a dog that listens, trusts, and sees you as their leader, here are 20+ behaviors that will make your dog respect you more (and stop ignoring you in public).

1. Normalize "I don’t know how to handle that yet"—Every dog is different. Keep learning.

Dogs don’t come with an instruction manual, and that’s okay! The best dog owners aren’t the ones who know everything but the ones willing to learn, adjust, and improve. Got a behavior problem? Don’t guess—research, get advice, and train smarter.

2. Give clear commands, not constant chatter—Dogs respond to clarity, not noise.

"Buddy, could you please sit down for me? No? Okay, how about now? Buddy? Buddy??"—STOP. Your dog is confused. Keep commands short, clear, and consistent. If you want them to sit, say “Sit.” Not a paragraph.

✔️ “Sit.” (Good)
❌ “Can you sit down for me, please?” (Too much)

3. Your dog’s favorite sound is your tone—Use calm, confident energy.

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. Dogs are energy readers—if you’re nervous, frantic, or frustrated, they pick up on it. Speak like a leader, and they’ll listen like a follower.