How To Understand And Motivate Your Stubborn Dog

It’s not unusual for clients to come to me completely exasperated, they tell me their dog is too stubborn to learn. They swear they’ve tried every flavor of treats the store offers. And yet, their dog sniffs the treat and turns their head in utter disbelief that you would offer it to them. Or, they hear the word “sit” and stare at you as if you just asked them to solve a Rubik’s cube.

Typically, when an owner struggles with a stubborn dog, the issue isn’t defiance; the dog may be confused, unmotivated, or frustrated. A stubborn dog does not mean untrainable; it just means we have to adjust our approach: clearer communication, different motivation, or more patience.

Why motivation matters

Motivation is the key to training any dog, similar to a paycheck being what gets us out of bed to go to work. It gives your dog a reason to care, it boosts focus, engagement, and positive attitude, even amid distractions. Without motivation, you’re just another human saying random words.

The most common motivation used for dogs is treats, and for many, this works like magic. But what do you do when the food isn’t tempting enough? Motivation comes in a variety of forms: toys, praise, play, freedom, and pure fun. The key is discovering which variation makes your dog’s tail wag the most. This is how to start building a successful foundation for obedience.

For instance, some dogs would trade a treat to play a game of tug. While other dogs may prefer the ability to run free or sniff their favorite bush as a reward for their good behavior. When the reward is worth it, your dog is much more likely to show up for the job.

Structuring training sessions

Once you discover your dog’s top motivator, the next steps of working with a stubborn dog become much clearer.

Keep training sessions short and fun, aim for 5-10 minutes to maintain engagement.
Use clear, consistent commands, paired immediately with rewards.
Break down complicated commands into small steps, and shape the desired behavior gradually.
Control your environment, and begin in a low-distraction environment to maintain focus.

Handling the bad days

Dogs are just like us; we have our good and bad days.

When your pup seems to be struggling during the training session, take a step back and reassess the situation. Decide what step is next to set you and your pup up for success. If your dog starts ignoring commands, loses interest, or walks away mid-session, consider switching up the motivator, changing the environment, or simply taking a short break. This allows you and your dog to return to the session refreshed and more positive. If your frustration builds, the dog is quick to follow suit. Above all, we want to end the session on a positive note: leaving you and your dog confident and encouraged.

In conclusion, the journey to successfully training a “stubborn” dog begins with finding the right motivator that speaks to them, whether it’s treats, toys, praise, or freedom. It’s about practicing patience and consistency, as well as managing the training environment to keep things focused and positive. Each training session should be set up for success by breaking tasks into small, manageable steps and adjusting your approach as needed to keep your dog engaged and motivated.

Training is not about changing the dog; it’s about changing how we communicate. When we understand them better, they’ll show up for us in ways we never imagined.