At our dog training facility, we often hear from our clients: “Hey, my dog is very loyal to me. He only listens to me. While I appreciate it, it can sometimes seem stubborn or frustrating because he doesn’t listen to other family members.” Maybe, the same is the situation with you.

For me, it was the same. I was the everything of my dog. He doesn’t listen to anybody even those who fed and cared for him when I wasn’t around. At first, I was thrilled by his loyalty. But one day, I had to leave town for urgent work for four days. My dog became stubborn and unmanageable during my absence, refusing to listen to anyone. As a result, he spent four days isolated, almost like being in “prison.” That experience made me realize how important it is for a dog to listen to a few trusted people.

In this blog post, you will first learn “Why does my dog only listen to me?” Then, I’ll share my approach to helping my dog become more cooperative—an approach you can easily follow, too. So stay with me and keep reading.

Overview of Dog Behavior

Before moving to the main topic, Why does my dog only listen to me? first understanding a little bit about dog behaviour is important.

Unlike others, dogs have unique behavior. They are very loyal. They build strong trust with people who love and care for them.

Their actions often reflect what they sense from us. They are very good at picking up emotions. If you are calm, happy, and kind, your dog will feel safe and happy around you. But dogs usually stay away if someone is nervous or mean because it makes them feel scared or uncomfortable.

Dogs like to follow a leader because it’s part of their natural behavior. This is because, long ago, their wild ancestors lived in groups called packs, where they had to follow a strong leader to stay safe and find food. And for your dog, you are the boss, and they trust you to guide them.

In addition, their behavior also depends on how they are trained and how much time they spend with other people or animals.

Why does my dog only listen to me?

As stated above for your dog, you are the boss. He listens to you because he trusts you and sees you as his leader. Dogs naturally bond with the person who spends the most time with them. If you are the one who feeds him, plays with him, spends time with him, and teaches him, he feels like you’re in charge. This makes him look up to you as someone he can follow and trust.

Dogs also feel safe with someone who meets their needs every day. When you’re consistent and kind, your dog sees you as the leader who protects and loves him. This is why he listens to you more than anyone else—it’s all about trust and feeling secure.

Related: How Do I Know My Dog Crossed The Rainbow Bridge Happily

Now let’s go in-depth and explore each factor due to which your dog obeys you only.

1. Body Language and Tone

Dogs are susceptible to body language and tone of voice. When you use calm, positive body language and a gentle, comforting tone, your dog will feel safe and listen to you more.

2. Consistency with Commands

Dogs learn best when commands are always the same. If you use the same words and rewards every time, the dog quickly understands what’s expected and becomes more likely to listen. This consistency builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog, making the dog more obedient to you.

3. Unique Bond

When you spend time with your dog, like feeding him, playing with him, or going for walks, your dog feels closer to you. The more time you spend together, your dog will listen to you because of your special connection.

4. Reinforcement Techniques

Dogs love to get treats or praise when they do something good. If you always give rewards like treats (such as peanut butter, pumpkin, meat, beef marrow bones, or other healthy and tasty options) or kind words when your dog listens, he’ll trust you more and keep following your commands. And make your bond more stronger.

What to do So Your Dog also Listens to Others

If your dog only listens to you, it can be problematic. It becomes difficult to manage the dog in emergencies if that person isn’t available. The dog may also misbehave with others. Training becomes less effective. Lastly, your dog might ignore commands in public, which can lead to dangerous situations.

So you must focus on making your dog listen to everyone. Here are the steps that I followed for my dog to make him obedient to other family members.

Final Thoughts

Dogs often listen to one person because they feel most comfortable and connected with that person. If you’re the one who feeds, trains and spends the most time with your dog, he sees you as his leader and source of safety. Dogs are creatures of habit, and they bond deeply with those who meet their needs and treat them kindly. That’s why your dog might focus on you more than anyone else.

Another reason is trust and consistency. If you’re always calm, clear, and predictable with commands, your dog learns to rely on you. Other people might not be using the same tone, words, or actions, which can confuse your dog. This doesn’t mean he dislikes others—he just feels more secure listening to the person he knows best.