MY DOG IS SO STUBBORN are words I hear on a daily basis.
"They just would rather do their own thing."
"They don't listen to me!"
"They know when I need them to do something, so they won't do it!"
I dislike the use of the word 'stubborn' in dog training.
Firstly, there is the argument to suggest that dogs are not mentally capable of being stubborn. Dogs have the mental equivalent of a 2 year old human. Would you call that young child stubborn? Or would you look at WHY they are acting that way?
The definition of stubborn is “having determination not to change one’s attitude or positioning on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so” (Oxford Languages).
But if there is good arguments or reasons from one side, have you considered that perhaps the other side also has a reason for their stubbornness?
Does your dog understand what you are asking them to do? (Did they hear you?
Did you use the tone you would normally use? Do they understand that cue in that situation? Have you practised that cue with this many distractions before?)
Have you given them time to think? (It takes longer for dogs to process words than it does for us. Stop asking your dog over and over again. Ask once when they are paying attention and then wait).
Did you ask, or did you command? (The nicer we are to our dogs, and the less we demand from them, the more likely they are to listen to us).
Can your dog physically do what you are asking of them? (Are they in physical or emotional pain? Are they uncomfortable laying on a hard surface? Or can they not jump/lie/sit/etc. in the same way they used to?)
What happens if your dog gets it wrong? (If your dog has been told off in the past for getting something wrong, they may be afraid to try new things. Or maybe you haven’t told them off, but because they have been so unsuccessful in training previously, they feel that training is negative and too difficult.)
And if your dog still is being ‘stubborn’ and you NEED them to listen to you… what is the motivation?
Would you go to work if they didn’t pay you?
Would you go to work if they didn’t pay you enough?
Of course you wouldn’t, and your dog isn’t a robot! So neither will he!
If you want your dog to work for you, your dog should have been rewarded for it with:
A variety of treats, biscuits, and food
Toys and play
Attention, fuss and cuddles
Verbal praise
Excitement
Anything else they like, such as a walk, grooming, or a ride out in the car!
Keep rewarding your dog with something worthwhile for doing what you want and they WILL become less ‘stubborn’… because they maybe weren’t stubborn in the first place, they just needed motivation, patience, understanding and good communication.
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