Whether it’s the neighbor’s cat or a ball rolling onto the street, there are situations where dogs need to control their impulses. Here, you’ll learn what impulse control in dogs means and how to teach it. Additionally, you’ll find important information on frustration tolerance and why some dogs react more impulsively than others.

Impulse Control in Dogs – What Is It Exactly?

By nature, dogs tend to follow their impulses. For example, if they see a cat, they might chase it. If they sniff a treat, they want to devour it. If a dog hasn’t learned to control its impulsive behavior, it can become annoying or even dangerous. A dog that can control its impulses not only protects itself but also its surroundings.

Factors Influencing Impulse Control in Dogs

Whether a dog can control its impulses well or poorly depends not only on its training but also on other factors. These include:

Body Structure and Health

As a general rule, larger and heavier dogs tend to control their impulses better. Small and light dogs, on the other hand, are more prone to impulsive behavior.

Organic changes can also cause impulse control disorders. Certain diseases like distemper, rabies, or Lyme disease can contribute to this.

Age and Experiences

oung dogs may have a harder time controlling themselves compared to adult or older dogs. Most dogs learn self-control during puppy training.

Over the years, they also gain the experience that, in certain situations, it’s worth listening to their owners rather than following their impulses. Regularly reward your dog when it exhibits desired behavior.

Breed-Specific Behavior and Predisposition

Some breeds are known for their calm temperament, such as the Labrador or the Great Dane. Smaller breeds like a Jack Russell often struggle more with impulse control.

However, not only the breed itself but also predisposition is crucial. If the parents are calm and composed, their offspring will typically be too.

Personality and Relationship with the Owner

In addition to breed and predisposition, the dog’s own character plays a role in how impulsively it acts. It has been observed that dogs whose owners engage in impulse control exercises with them from an early age tend to react much more calmly.

Exercises to Teach Impulse Control in Dogs

Start early in teaching your dog not to always follow its impulses. Ideally, this begins in puppyhood, but even with adult or older dogs, you can successfully practice impulse control exercises.

A crucial first step in training is “stay” exercises:

Next Step: Expand the Dog’s Impulse Control

Once the “stay” command is established, you can increase the difficulty. Move away and place a treat on the ground. Return to the dog. Wait until it looks at you and resolve the situation with a “go” or “take” command.

These exercises are also described as signal control in dogs because the dog learns to listen to your signal through these exercises.

Impulse Control Exercises

If your dog is already familiar with the previous exercises, you can introduce a flirt pole. This is a type of pole with, for example, a toy attached. Have your dog sit and give the “stay” command. Move the flirt pole back and forth in front of your dog. Initially, reward your dog after one or two movements.

The Shutdown Training in Dogs – An Important Exercise for More Calmness

After some time, you can increase the difficulty again and teach your dog to relax in an environment with many stimuli. This could be a busy square in the city, for example. Sit on a bench and have your dog sit or lie down. Stay in the situation until your dog completely relaxes.

Impulse Control is Exhausting

Especially with young dogs, keep in mind that impulse control exercises are very tiring. Take enough breaks between each exercise session. Set routines and habits will help your dog become more relaxed. Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and your dog. Stress can make your dog more restless, and exercises may not succeed.