We give our dogs food, shelter, and all the love they could ask for, so it’s easy to expect them to follow our commands without much trouble. After all, thousands of years of domestication have made dogs naturally bonded to humans. With such a perfect setup, it can be really confusing and frustrating when your dog seems to ignore what you ask them to do.
In most cases, a stubborn dog isn’t really the dog’s fault—it’s more about how we’re training them. Dogs are unique, with their own desires and motivations, but at the end of the day, the control is still in your hands. If you’re feeling frustrated because your dog won’t cooperate, here are 10 vet-approved tips on how to train a stubborn dog who just won’t listen.
The 10 Tips on How to Train a Stubborn Dog Who Won’t Listen
- Find What Motivates Them
When you’re trying to get your dog’s attention, you need to make your reward more appealing than anything else around them. For many dogs, high-value treats like meat or cheese work wonders. Figuring out what your dog loves is part of the training process. Some dogs prefer toys, while others might want affection or playtime. Rewards are key in positive reinforcement, so finding what your dog really loves can take some trial and error, but it’s worth it in the long run. - Start with Easy Commands
When you’re training a stubborn dog, it’s easier to start with simple commands that they can succeed at right away. Commands like “sit” or “down” are great for beginners and will help them connect the action with a reward. Use a word like “good” when they do something right, so they learn exactly what earns them the reward. This will also help make more complex commands easier to teach down the road. - Start at Home with Few Distractions
For effective training, your dog needs to focus. If you’re training in a busy environment or if they’re too excited, they won’t pay attention. At first, keep training sessions in a quiet space like indoors, away from distractions like toys, food, or the TV. Once they get the hang of things, you can gradually increase the difficulty and move to more distracting environments. - Be Patient
Dogs are like little kids, and they don’t always understand what we’re asking right away. They learn through rewards, and the more they repeat a behavior, the more it becomes a habit. If you get frustrated or impatient, it’ll confuse your dog. Training takes time—sometimes months or even a year—so be consistent, stay calm, and remember, slow and steady wins the race.
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- Keep Everyone on the Same Page
Consistency is key, not just from you, but from everyone in your household. If you’re teaching your dog not to jump on people, but someone else in the house is encouraging that behavior with petting, it’ll undo your progress. Have a conversation with your family, set clear rules, and make sure everyone is reinforcing the same training. - Take a Step Back if Needed
Sometimes, it’s best to slow down and go back to the basics. If your dog is struggling with a command, don’t push too hard. Celebrate the small wins, and if the behavior is too challenging, break it down into smaller steps. For example, if you’re teaching your dog not to rush out the door, start by having them calmly walk toward the door before trying more complex steps. - Add Some Surprise Treats for Big Wins
When your dog is making great progress, it can help to surprise them with extra treats. Random rewards keep them on their toes and motivated. For bigger achievements, like coming when called, give them a jackpot of treats to really reinforce the behavior. - Try More Distracting Environments
Once your dog is following commands indoors with minimal distractions, it’s time to take the training outside. Start with your backyard, then move on to public places. You’ll want to make sure your dog is focused enough to obey your commands, even when there are distractions like other people or animals. As they improve, you can gradually add more challenging environments. - Provide Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired dog is usually a well-behaved dog. Exercise helps your dog stay focused, and some studies suggest dogs remember training better after a good play session. Make sure your dog gets enough physical activity, and for breeds that need more, provide mental stimulation through toys or puzzle games. This will keep your dog satisfied and improve their focus during training.
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- Don’t Let Your Dog Train You
Dogs are always learning, even when we don’t realize it. If they’re pawing at you to get up or pulling on the leash, they’re teaching you that these actions work to get what they want. But if you let them take control, you’ll end up with more stubborn behavior. Stay in charge by reinforcing the behaviors you want and only giving them what they want when they’re calm and following your commands. Be consistent, and your dog will learn that you’re in charge.
