Train Stubborn Dogs: Proven Techniques & Tips

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 frustrating when your furry friend seems to ignore you. If you're struggling with a dog who just won't listen, this guide is for you. We'll cover how to train stubborn dogs, focusing on clear communication and positive reinforcement. Let's ditch the "stubborn" label and unlock your dog's potential together. Read on for helpful tips and background information.

What does it mean for a dog to be stubborn?

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.

Key Takeaways

• "Stubborn" dogs often have unmet needs: Instead of disobedience, behaviors we perceive as stubborn frequently signal unmet needs, breed-specific instincts, fear, or confusion. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for effective training.
• Motivation is key for successful training: Find what truly excites your dog—whether it's treats, toys, praise, or something else entirely—and use it strategically to reward desired behaviors. A positive, engaging approach makes training more enjoyable for both of you.
• Consistency and a supportive environment are essential: Manage your dog's environment to minimize opportunities for unwanted behaviors, ensure everyone in the household uses the same training cues and rules, and don't hesitate to reach out to a certified professional dog trainer for personalized guidance.

Common reasons your dog might seem stubborn

Your dog doesn’t understand what you’re asking

Your Dog's Breed Traits and History

As noted by K9 Connoisseur, "Stubbornness in dogs isn't about being 'bad,' but reflects independent personalities and breed traits." This means that what we interpret as stubbornness may actually be a reflection of a dog's natural instincts and the way they were bred to think and behave. Understanding these traits can help pet owners tailor their training methods to better suit their dog's unique personality. For example, incorporating scent work into the training routine for a Beagle can tap into their natural instincts and make training more engaging.

It's also important to recognize that a dog's perceived stubbornness can stem from their past experiences and the training techniques used on them. As highlighted by Dog Dynamics, "A dog's 'stubbornness' is often a result of poor training techniques. Consistency and patience are key to successful dog training." This suggests that by employing effective training strategies that align with your dog's breed characteristics, you can foster better communication and understanding with your pet. Finding a qualified dog trainer can be invaluable in developing a personalized training plan.

Your puppy isn’t old enough to focus

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.

Developmental Stages and Expectations

As dogs mature, their ability to concentrate improves, but adolescence brings its own set of challenges. Just like human teenagers, adolescent dogs can be impulsive and prone to testing boundaries. This isn't necessarily defiance, but rather a natural part of their development. Our Dog Training 101 guide offers valuable tips on understanding canine behavior and tailoring your training approach to your dog's specific needs and developmental stage.

Your dog has not generalized their cues to new environments

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.

Your dog isn’t sufficiently motivated to work for you

Understanding Your Dog's Unique Motivations

Sometimes, what looks like stubbornness is actually a reflection of breed traits. Breeds like Shiba Inus, Beagles, and Dachshunds were bred for independent thinking while hunting. This independence can sometimes be perceived as stubbornness in a training context. Similarly, breeds like Saint Bernards and Bulldogs were bred for certain traits that might also appear as stubbornness during training. Understanding your dog's breed history can offer valuable insights into their behavior (Dog Dynamics). This knowledge can help you tailor your training approach.

Positive reinforcement—using rewards like treats, praise, or playtime—is far more effective than punishment (K9 Connoisseur). If your dog seems resistant to training, experiment with different rewards. Find what truly motivates them. It might not always be food! Some dogs are more motivated by toys, a quick game of tug-of-war, or even just enthusiastic praise (Vetstreet). Once you've identified those high-value rewards, use them strategically to make training more appealing than any distractions (Dogster).

Finally, remember that training is an ongoing process. Be patient, stay positive, and celebrate even the smallest successes. By understanding your dog's unique motivations and using positive reinforcement, you can build a strong bond and achieve your training goals. And if you're looking for the perfect place to practice those newly learned skills, check out Sniffspot's listings of dog-friendly parks and spaces near you!

Your dog is scared or overwhelmed

If your dog freezes on walks or has a hard time listening, consider whether they might be scared.

Creating a Positive Training Environment

Use Positive Reinforcement

Keep Training Sessions Short and Sweet

Minimize Distractions

Make it Fun!

Be Patient and Celebrate Small Victories

Your dog is expressing natural breed traits

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.

Your dog is in physical pain

How to build a more cooperative relationship with your stubborn dog

Spend time engaging together, especially in play

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.

Incorporating Mental Stimulation

Provide opportunities for your dog to express natural behaviors

A few examples:

• Instead of asking your terrier to ignore their prey drive completely, consider enrolling in a barn hunt class together.
• Try out some nosework with your hound.
• Get your herding breed a herding ball or let them engage in stalky behavior during play with you.
• Take your husky out on regular runs, or consider biologically appropriate activities like skijoring or bikejoring.
• And more: Ask yourself what your dog was bred to do and how you can help them tap into those instincts.

Finding the Right Outlet for Your Dog's Energy at Sniffspot

Dog Parks

Water Parks

How to increase your stubborn dog’s training motivation

Pay attention to what your dog finds rewarding

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.

Vary your rewards—and add in randomized “jackpots“

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.

Start in familiar, low-distraction environments

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.

Gradually Increasing Distractions

For example, after your dog learns “sit” in your quiet living room, practice “sit” with the TV on. Once they’ve mastered that, try practicing “sit” in your backyard, where there are more interesting smells and sights. The key is to gradually increase the distraction level, allowing your dog to be successful at each stage. This helps them generalize the behavior, meaning they’ll eventually perform the cue reliably no matter where you are. It’s not uncommon for dogs to enthusiastically follow cues at home, but then completely ignore them in busier places. This doesn’t mean they’re being stubborn, it just means they need more practice generalizing the behavior to different environments. Progressive training builds confidence and sets your dog up for success.

Eventually, you can even practice cues at a private Sniffspot. Sniffspots are designed for off-leash play and exploration, offering a safe and controlled environment to work on training with more distractions. The novelty of a new location can be a great motivator!

Focus on having fun in training sessions

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!

Common skills your dog might struggle with if they seem stubborn

• Walking nicely on a leash
• Coming when called
• Crate training
• And more! Browse our full list of dog training articles on the Sniffspot blog.

Positive Reinforcement Techniques for Stubborn Dogs

Luring

Capturing

How to stay consistent with your stubborn dog

Here are two important ways to stay on track in your training.

Use management to prevent your dog from practicing unwanted behaviors

This might look like:

• Keeping a leash on your dog inside the house so you can gently guide them away from things like counter surfing.
• Investing in some pee pads to minimize damage to your carpet or hard floors while your dog continues to work through house training.
• Putting opaque film on your windows to keep your dog from seeing—and barking at—people or other pets walking by.
• Having your dog wear a long line at the park instead of letting them fully off leash.
• And so on.

Make sure your entire household is on the same page about your dog’s training

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.

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

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Addressing the Owner's Mindset in Dog Training

Patience and Understanding

Avoiding Punishment

Next steps if your stubborn dog still isn’t learning

Take your companion for a full vet check up

Reach out to a professional trainer

Finding Top Dog Trainers

When you connect with a potential trainer, ask lots of questions! A good trainer will be happy to discuss their methods and philosophy. Asking for references or testimonials from previous clients is also helpful. Finding a trainer who clicks with both you and your dog is key for a positive training experience.

Trainer that reviewed this article

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

Related Articles

• Dog Training 101: A Beginner’s Guide | Sniffspot
• How to Train a Stubborn Dog | Adult Dog and Puppy Training
• Leash Training: The Ultimate Guide for Stress-Free Walks
• Definitive Guide To Off Leash Training With Your Dog
• How to Clicker Train Your Dog

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the biggest mistake people make when training a "stubborn" dog? Getting frustrated and resorting to punishment. This damages your relationship and makes your dog less likely to cooperate. Focus on positive reinforcement—rewarding the behaviors you want to see. It builds trust and makes training more enjoyable for both of you. Remember, training should strengthen your bond, not create a power struggle.

My dog isn't motivated by treats. What else can I use? Not all dogs are food-driven! Observe what your dog loves most. It could be toys, praise, a specific game, or even just a chance to sniff around. Use these as rewards during training. The key is to find what truly motivates your dog and tailor your approach accordingly.

How long should training sessions be? Keep them short and sweet, especially when starting out. Dogs have short attention spans, so aim for 5-10 minutes at a time. Several short, focused sessions are more effective than one long, drawn-out lesson that leaves you both frustrated. It's better to end on a positive note, wanting more!

What if I've tried everything and my dog still isn't learning? First, rule out any underlying medical issues with a vet checkup. If your dog is healthy, consider consulting a certified force-free trainer. They can provide personalized guidance and help you troubleshoot any challenges. Sometimes, an outside perspective is all you need to break through a training plateau.