Do you struggle to train your dog? Do you say your dog’s cues multiple times to no response? Maybe your dog doesn’t listen to you or seems to willfully disobey. Is your dog stubborn?
No doubt you’ve decided you have that trickiest of pets – the stubborn dog. But what exactly does that mean? Is your dog choosing not to obey or might there be a simpler explanation behind their frustrating behavior?
Are Dogs Really Stubborn?
Stubborn dogs are those that don’t do as requested the first time they’re asked. That’s different from a hyperactive dog that can’t sit still or a reactive dog having an emotional meltdown. Signs of a stubborn dog include ignoring you, refusing to come when called, only obeying after you’ve given a cue six or seven times, or simply wandering off. The behavior seems deliberate, as if your dog is choosing to disobey even though they know exactly what you want. But is that really the case? Probably not!
Too often people interpret their dog’s behavior through a human lens and that’s most apparent when their dog doesn’t listen or obey cues. The dog is labelled as stubborn when, in reality, the dog either didn’t understand what was asked or didn’t think it was worth their effort. Dogs do what works for them, and they learn by the consequences of their actions. If coming when called means leaving the dog park but running off means more fun with friends, which do you think the dog will choose to do?
In other words, your dog won’t obey just because you think they should. There must be something in it for them. And there should be. You wouldn’t work without getting a paycheck. So, although your dog is bonded to you, you need to teach them how to obey and why they should. Of course, that’s easier for some breeds than others.
What Are the Most “Stubborn” Dog Breeds?
Some breeds are famous for their so-called stubborn attitude. Lists of the most stubborn dog breeds often include the Afghan Hound, the Parson Russell Terrier, the Siberian Husky, and the American Bulldog. But whatever the list, expect to see members of the Terrier Group as well as Scenthounds and Sighthounds. This isn’t because these breeds are actually stubborn. It’s because they’re generally absorbed by other things, such as Bloodhounds being ruled by their noses, or they’ve been developed to have an independent personality, like terriers.
What this is really a measure of is trainability, not willful insubordination. Some breeds are simply easier to train and that’s usually related to their heritage. In fact, a study in the journal Cell that looked at genetic drivers of behavior showed that increased trainability was a feature of herding and sporting breeds. Dogs like Labrador Retrievers and herding breeds like Border Collies have been bred to work alongside humans. It’s no surprise they tend to listen to us more attentively than dogs bred to work on their own.
But owning a less trainable breed isn’t an excuse to let your training slide. You’re not doomed to be ignored. You simply need to work even harder to motivate your dog and teach them it’s worthwhile to listen to you. So, if you find yourself labeling your dog as stubborn, ask yourself the following questions to troubleshoot what’s really going on.
Are You Expecting Too Much Too Soon?
If your dog isn’t obeying, are you sure they really understand what you’re asking? Have you used luring, capturing, or shaping to teach them that a particular cue goes with a particular behavior? Don’t expect your dog to just get it. Imagine you’re visiting a different country for the first time, and you don’t know the language or the culture. You’re going to make a lot of mistakes as you try to fit in. And if the locals yell at you with unfamiliar words, will that make you any more likely to understand? Of course not. Remember, your dog doesn’t speak your language or know your rules until you teach them.
Also be aware of poisoned cues. That’s where the cue has lost all meaning for your dog. This might be because you always repeat the cue and inadvertently taught your dog to wait until they hear it a certain number of times before they respond. You can also poison your cues if your dog isn’t quite sure what’s being rewarded, or you do something “negative” to associate that cue with. This could include recall, and then doing something negative when the dog comes, like putting them in their crate and leaving for work. It will just confuse them, so it’s important to always reward the recall cue, and change it if it’s been poisoned.
Is Your Dog Engaged?
When interacting with your dog, make sure they’re paying attention to you. Consider teaching a “watch me” cue, so your dog knows it’s time to focus on what you’re about to say or do. But also look at your rate of reinforcement. If the environment is more rewarding than you are, that’s where your dog’s interest will be. To keep your dog engaged in a busy area or when you’re teaching a new behavior, reward every correct response at a fast rate. Only start to fade the treats when your dog is reliable in a given situation. And be sure the rewards you choose are rewarding from your dog’s point of view. Many dogs love treats like freeze-dried liver or cheese, but others would rather chase their ball.
It’s also important to look at your dog’s mood. Some dogs learn quite quickly and get bored by the sixth or seventh repetition of an exercise. If so, change things up regularly and keep your dog on their toes. But fear and anxiety can also affect a dog’s performance by shutting down the thinking part of their brain. Watch for signs of stress and remove your dog from those situations. Instead, work on changing your dog’s emotional response to their triggers before worrying about their performance.
Is Your Dog Distracted?
Staying in the quiet kitchen is not the same as staying in the park. If there are squirrels, children, other dogs, etc. competing for your dog’s attention, you’re going to lose your dog’s focus if you haven’t built up to that level of distraction. In other words, you’re expecting too much from your dog for their level of training. For example, teaching recall to a “stubborn” dog is a common struggle for dog owners. But if your dog doesn’t understand how to come when called in the quiet house, how can you expect them to do it outside when there are exciting temptations nearby? You need to train your dog to ignore distractions by building from the smallest to the most exciting, one baby step at a time.
Are You or Your Dog Frustrated?
Sometimes your dog can be a source of stress, but whatever the reason, if you’re feeling frustrated, your bad mood will shut down your dog and make it difficult for them to listen or learn. What might seem like stubborn behavior is actually your dog reacting to your tone of voice and body language. And if your dog is the frustrated one, you’ll see the same drop in performance. Keep your interactions with your dog positive and upbeat. If you’re not in the mood to work with your dog, postpone and come back when you can both have fun with the process.