A slower response is still information.

Latency is the time between a cue and the beginning of a behaviour.

If your dog usually responds quickly but suddenly pauses, looks away or takes longer, they may not be “ignoring” you.

A change in latency can reflect:

• Distraction
• Uncertainty
• Emotional pressure
• Physical discomfort
• A change in the environment
• A behaviour that is not yet fluent in that situation

Rather than repeating the cue more loudly, pause and notice what might have changed.

Sometimes the most useful part of a response is the moment before it happens.