10/15/2026
I’M NOT STUBBORN!
Your dog won’t come back when called, refuses to walk in the direction you want to go, won’t sit when asked, doesn’t listen when out and about, but does it perfectly at home…
Are they just being stubborn?
What we may think of as just being stubborn is often an important clue that tells us we need to look deeper into the cause.
A dog’s response is influenced by far more than motivation. Emotional state, physical discomfort, stress, tiredness, an environment, previous experiences, genetics and learning history can all play a part.
Perhaps dogs don’t understand what we’re asking. Maybe an environment is far more rewarding than we are. Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, overexcited or tired. Maybe they've learned that responding to a particular cue predicts something they find unpleasant. Perhaps there is pain, discomfort or they’re not feeling well.
Are we making it worthwhile, have we taught the behaviour clearly and practised in different environments, is the environment too challenging, are we asking more than the dog can manage in that moment, is there an unmet need or an underlying physical issue?
These are far more important questions than asking how to make a dog comply.
Our responsibility isn't to win a battle of wills. It's to understand the dog in front of us, in that moment and create the conditions in which they can succeed.
Build motivation through what is reinforcing to the individual dog. Make learning clear and consistent. Manage the environment. Respect emotions and physical limits.
A dog succeeds when they feel safe, understand what's being asked and are motivated.
Instead of labelling a dog as “stubborn”, first look at what might be underneath that behaviour.
I’M NOT STUBBORN!
Your dog won’t come back when called, refuses to walk in the direction you want to go, won’t sit when asked, doesn’t listen when out and about, but does it perfectly at home…
Are they just being stubborn?
What we may think of as just being stubborn is often an important clue that tells us we need to look deeper into the cause.
A dog’s response is influenced by far more than motivation. Emotional state, physical discomfort, stress, tiredness, an environment, previous experiences, genetics and learning history can all play a part.
Perhaps dogs don’t understand what we’re asking. Maybe an environment is far more rewarding than we are. Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, overexcited or tired. Maybe they've learned that responding to a particular cue predicts something they find unpleasant. Perhaps there is pain, discomfort or they’re not feeling well.
Are we making it worthwhile, have we taught the behaviour clearly and practised in different environments, is the environment too challenging, are we asking more than the dog can manage in that moment, is there an unmet need or an underlying physical issue?
These are far more important questions than asking how to make a dog comply.
Our responsibility isn't to win a battle of wills. It's to understand the dog in front of us, in that moment and create the conditions in which they can succeed.
Build motivation through what is reinforcing to the individual dog. Make learning clear and consistent. Manage the environment. Respect emotions and physical limits.
A dog succeeds when they feel safe, understand what's being asked and are motivated.
Instead of labelling a dog as “stubborn”, first look at what might be underneath that behaviour.
