You feel like you’ve tried everything... but you just can’t get your dog to listen. They still pee on the carpet or bark out the windows or run away when you call them at the park. It’s not this hard for your neighbor and his new puppy, right? Why is your dog so stubborn? Are you a bad pet parent? Are you doing something wrong?
We’ve been there, and we understand.
Dog training can be especially overwhelming when it feels like you and your companion just aren’t on the same page. That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide on how to train your "stubborn" dog. Read on for important background context, definitions, and training tips.
The word “stubborn” can be used to describe a wide range of canine behavior. While some dogs were selectively bred to be more independent, most pets aren’t "disobedient" on purpose.
In reality: When a dog appears to be stubborn, it actually means they are under motivated—or have no idea what is being asked of them.
Many dogs want to please their owners but just don’t know how. Living in a modern human world can be confusing for a canine! We sometimes forget that they don’t naturally understand verbal language or societal norms the way we do.
Puppies often have trouble focusing, especially in new environments. Young puppies take in overwhelming amounts of new information every day and are often distracted by things we may not even notice.
In adolescence, dogs (just like human teenagers) are going through growth spurts, hormonal changes, and awkward phases. They may seem stubborn—but really they’re dealing with many emotional and physical adjustments that can make it really hard for them to complete behaviors that they otherwise might know well.
Dogs often struggle to generalize behaviors. It’s not uncommon for them to enthusiastically follow basic cues in a familiar environment but stare at us owners blankly when we ask in a busier place.
This doesn’t mean your puppy is disobeying you on purpose. It just indicates a lack of training generalization. They need more help understanding that your verbal cue or hand signal means the same thing in every location! Plus new environments often come with new competing motivators that compete to capture your dog’s attention. Training is an ongoing process.
Just like us people, dogs like to know there’s something in it for them! If your dog doesn’t listen—especially if they used to follow training cues but have recently started blowing you off—it might be because they feel you’re not “paying” them enough for their behavior.
Nervous dogs can seem stubborn, but they’re really just having a hard time coping with their environments. They might be too overwhelmed to be able to pay attention to you at all, let alone follow your cues—but not necessarily for lack of trying.
If your dog freezes on walks or has a hard time listening, consider whether they might be scared.
We bred certain traits into dog breeds over generations and generations. For example: Hounds are notorious for walking with their noses to the ground, herders are hyper-aware of their surroundings, terriers frantically chase prey, and so on.
If your dog seems stubborn because they won’t walk calmly on a loose leash or stop digging through your sock drawer, it’s worth thinking about what jobs we developed their ancestors to do. Your four-legged friend might simply be following their instincts! We can't blame them for that.
Canines are great at hiding discomfort. If your dog seems reluctant to perform certain cues (like lying down) you should consider whether they might be in pain. It could be that Fido is just feeling hurt, not disobedient.
Living with a dog who doesn’t seem to listen is frustrating. After you’ve thought through the above section to see if a label other than “stubborn” might be more appropriate to describe your pet, it’s a good idea to step back and think about your dog-owner relationship as a whole.
When you’re struggling with your dog, it’s easy to forget the reasons that you got a puppy in the first place.
But we bet one of them was to have fun together, wasn’t it?
If you and your dog are struggling to connect, try spending more time engaging in activities you both love. A good game of fetch or tug will put you in a better mindset to work together during a formal training session.
As mentioned previously, some stubborn dogs simply have not had their needs met, and will naturally find it harder to focus on what you are asking them. Giving them safe opportunities to express natural behavior can make a world of difference!
A few examples:
The more we fulfill our dogs, the better they’re able to listen to what we ask!
Just because we think our dogs should like something doesn’t mean they actually will.
A common reason your dog might seem stubborn is because they’d rather work for a different reward than what you’ve been using. Some pets are highly food motivated for training treats (or even their own kibble) while others prefer toys. Some love verbal praise and hearing your happy voice while others don’t pay it as much mind. Every dog is an individual!
Take some time to observe the things your dog loves best outside of training sessions. Are they always sniffing for a new smell? Do they gobble their food the instant you set it down? Can they never get enough of their favorite ball? Use that information to your advantage by picking the reward that will motivate them most.
Variety is the spice of life! Even if your dog is working for their favorite reward in the world, they might become bored of it over time.
Maintain your dog’s interest by switching up your rewards between training sessions (or even within the same lesson). Vary the ways that you are delivering treats or how long your play breaks are—and once in a while, toss in a big jackpot (like giving them a whole handful of treats or a longer burst of toy play) when they’re least expecting it.
If they start to think “any time now I might get a whole bucketful of treats!” they’ll be more likely to stay engaged than if you give them the exact same cookie on every repetition.
If multiple things are competing for your dog’s attention at once, they’ll have a harder time learning from you. Have your sessions in a quiet spot (like your own home’s living room or backyard) before asking them to perform in more distracting environments (like a private Sniffspot with space to roam).
Over time, start working on cues around more and more distractions in a range of environments, and allow your dog to be successful at each stage before moving on to the next.
Dogs are masters at reading our emotions. Over the years we’ve bred this sensitivity into them even more. Today some pet canines are better at interpreting human body language—even as puppies—than that of their own species! (That's a big deal in the animal kingdom.)
What does this mean for your training? In short, it’s hard to fool a dog. If you’re not having fun working with your companion, chances are they’ll pick up on that—and it will only discourage you both more.
Try keeping frequent training sessions short, simple, and upbeat. Set yourselves up for success! Try to make the skills, behaviors, and tricks you’re asking for relatively easy for your dog. This way you can praise and reward them heavily for getting things right.
And remember: Dog training isn’t a race. It can be difficult not to compare your dog’s progress to others, but dogs are individuals. Working at your puppy’s own pace is important!
We have separate blogs detailing how to work on each of these behaviors:
Using the right rewards, having fun....that all sounds well and good. But how do you get through the difficult moments with your dog? What do you do when you’re at the end of your rope and feel like you’ll never make progress?
Here are two important ways to stay on track in your training.
We don’t always have the energy or opportunity for a structured training session. And that’s okay! As you work on increasing your dog’s motivation to work with you, consider implementing some management protocols to prevent problem behaviors from getting worse.
This might look like:
It takes a village! Your dog’s training will progress more slowly if your family members have different expectations for them.
Take some time to sit down with everyone who lives with your dog and talk about what verbal cues, hand signals, and rules you’ll all use. If you’re a social butterfly, you might want to consider chatting with friends who regularly visit or see your dog out and about, too.
An added bonus of these conversations? When you’re feeling low, your support network will have your back.
If your dog still isn’t making training progress, it’s a good idea to make sure they have a clean bill of health. A thorough veterinary exam can identify problems we might miss at first glance—like arthritis or hearing loss—that can keep our pets from performing at their best.
Sometimes all we need is a little extra guidance from someone we can trust. If your dog still seems stubborn, get in touch with a certified force-free trainer! They’ll be able to understand your unique situation and provide personalized guidance to better enjoy your companion moving forward.
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers. The trainers that review our content are reviewed by other trainers to ensure that we have the best quality filters on our content.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Beth Berkobien, MS - Animal Behavior, Cert. SAPT
Behavior Consultant/Trainer - Rehab Your Rescue Behavior Services - Masters degree in animal behavior, certified in separation anxiety
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.
Discover the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its loyal, playful, and friendly nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in the United Kingdom, where they were initially bred for bull-baiting and later for dog fighting starting in the early 19th century.
Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.
Discover the Boxer, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a large dog, Boxers have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting large game starting in the late 19th century.
Discover the Great Dane, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and curious nature. Recognized as a large dog, Great Danes have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting and guarding starting in the 16th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.