How to Train a Stubborn Dog

When you have a stubborn dog who doesn’t want to listen? Giving them all the food, shelter, and love they could want makes it natural to expect good behavior in return. It can be frustrating when your stubborn dog does their own thing, but it’s okay!Training a stubborn dog isn’t as difficult as it seems. With the right direction and a little patience,you can train your dog to behave as you like it. Let’s dive into some fun and useful tips to get your pet on the right track.

How to train your stubborn dogs – Best strategies

Here are the strategies you should follow

1. Be Calm

Dogs are often compared to infants in their relationship with their owners. By providing love and basic necessities, we take on a caregiver role for our dependent dogs, who do everything possible to keep us happy and present in their lives. Like small children, their understanding of their environment, the people around them, and the words we speak is minimal or non-existent. As Knowledgeable adults, we can have trouble empathizing with this, and we’ll often get frustrated when seemingly simple concepts don’t stick.

2. Keep the Household Steady

You aren’t the only one who needs to show consistency to teach better habits to your dog. Everyone in the house must be on board with training. Otherwise, they’ll send mixed messages and set your dog back. For instance, if you’re teaching your dog not to jump on people when they walk in the door, your child’s exuberant petting and play will only reinforce the behavior, no matter how disciplined you are with turning your back and ignoring them. Talk with your family, set expectations, and give everyone the resources to keep the goals and rules consistent.

3. Start at Home with few disturbances

Training requires your dog’s focus and attention. Many who think their dog is stubborn and won’t listen don’t realize they’re not in the right condition, whether it’s a problem with the environment or the dog’s mental state. Dogs experiencing an overly exciting scenario aren’t likely to have the required focus. Depending on the scenario, you could be up against stiff competition for their attention. Smells, sounds, and sights in the home and outdoors are often more intriguing than our training sessions, and a stimuli overload could make them impossible to manage.

Keeping these distractions to a minimum will make initial training sessions more fluid. Start indoors and remove anything that might steal your dog’s focus, like toys, treats, or a noisy TV. Once you build consistency, you can gradually put them in more challenging scenarios.

4. Find Great Encouragement

Since you’re constantly battling for your dog’s attention against other distractions, you must make your offering more attractive than anything else. For many dogs, this would be a high value treat such as meat, cheese, or whatever your dog’s favorite is. Figuring that out is part of your homework.

Some dogs value toys over everything, while others may want play and affection. Rewards are the backbone of the positive reinforcement training method. Finding the most high-value reward can take trial and error, but it will be worth it in challenging training scenarios.

5. Start with Simple instructions.

Establishing a base for training a stubborn dog is more manageable when you can show them the system of command-action-reward. Begin with easy opportunities to succeed. The “sit” or “down” commands are two of the simplest to train inside, and by starting there, you can quickly develop a general association between doing what you ask and receiving praise and rewards. Remember to use a marking word, such as “good,” to clue your dog in at the exact moment they achieved the desired behavior or approximation towards it. This way, they associate the specific behavior with earning a reward.

 6. Take a pause when necessary.

We always want our dogs to progress, but sometimes, we should go back to basics to keep them on the proper path. Dogs can get frustrated just like us when they aren’t nailing commands, making them lose focus and interest in training. Celebrating wins is crucial. If the desired behavior is too challenging, find an easier initial step from which you can build. If you’re trying to teach your dog to stop bolting out the door as soon as you open it, for example, you may have to walk toward the door to find a point where they stay calm and show you a behavior you can reward. Create foundational success, and slowly add steps, making your dog do more to gain the reward.

7. Adopt changes and Give Extra Treats for Big Achievements

Keeping them engaged and motivated can get tricky as we increase the difficulty level, so we sometimes must go above and beyond to keep them excited. Variability of reinforcement helps keep your dog motivated because they don’t know what the next prize will be. Have a jackpot of extra treats ready when they make big progress towards your training goal, like successfully coming when called.

8. Engage in different distracting scenarios

Here are some ideas across different settings that can keep them mentally and physically engaged:

1. Indoor Activities

• Puzzle Toys: Use interactive puzzle toys where they need to work for a treat. This keeps their mind engaged and can prevent them from getting into trouble.
• Treat Scavenger Hunt: Hide treats around the house and let your dog find them using their nose. This encourages them to explore carefully instead of rushing around.
• Indoor Agility Course: Set up a small agility course with pillows, chairs, and blankets to guide their movement and keep them from running into sharp corners.

2. Outdoor Walks

• Frequent Stops for Sniffing: Allow your dog to stop and sniff around during walks. This reduces their impulsive movements and helps them engage with their surroundings more thoughtfully.
• Use a Harness: A harness gives you better control and helps guide your dog away from obstacles like uneven pavement or curbs.

3. Interactive Play

• Tug-of-War: This allows your dog to engage in physical play in a controlled manner, without the risk of running into furniture or walls.
• Fetch in a Safe Area: Play fetch in a spacious, dog-proofed area. Make sure it’s clear of sharp edges and encourage calm returns instead of wild sprints.

4. Slow Feeder Bowls

• If your dog tends to eat too fast and then rush around, using a slow feeder bowl can extend mealtime and reduce overexcitement. This keeps them occupied and prevents them from running into things.

5. Scent-Based Games

• Dogs love using their noses. You can set up scent trails or use snuffle mats (fabric mats with hidden treats) to encourage slow, deliberate exploration. This keeps them focused and helps avoid careless accidents.

9. Provide Exercise and Improvement

Exercises to Stop Dog’s Stubbornness

1. Basic Obedience

• Sit and Stay: Start with teaching “sit” and “stay” commands. The dog must sit and remain in place even when distractions are present.
• Exercise: Have the dog sit in a quiet area. Gradually increase distractions (e.g., tossing a ball or toy) while rewarding the dog for maintaining the position.
• Improvement: Increase the distance between you and the dog, maintaining the same level of focus.

2. Whistle Training of Dogs

• Train the dog to return to you or to a certain point on the sound of a whistle.
• Exercise: Use a recall whistle (one short sharp blow) to call your dog back from different distances. Reward with treats or praise.
• Improvement: Incorporate this command into different environments and situations, like open fields or parks, gradually increasing difficulty.

3. Heel and Recall

• The dog should walk beside you when commanded and return to heel from various positions.
• Exercise: Practice having your dog sit, walk away from them, and then recall them to heel. Start with short distances and gradually increase.

4. Working with Distractions

• Simulate environments where distractions are present (birds, other dogs, toys, etc.)
• Exercise: Take the dog to areas with natural distractions like a park, field, or even a backyard with moving objects. Reinforce stubbing and staying commands despite the excitement
• Improvement: Continuously add new distractions to build the dog’s ability to ignore temptations while following commands.

10. Don’t Allow Your Dog to Train You

Usual principle in dog training that emphasizes the importance of establishing leadership and setting clear boundaries. Here’s a brief overview of this concept:

Dogs are pack animals, and in the absence of a clear leader, they may attempt to fill that role. As a pet owner, it’s crucial that you are seen as the leader. This doesn’t mean being harsh or punitive, but rather being confident, consistent, and clear about rules and expectations. Dogs may try to train you to cater to their desires (like giving them food whenever they beg or letting them on furniture at their whim). By setting consistent boundaries—such as feeding them on a schedule, sticking to designated areas for rest, and reinforcing training commands—you ensure they understand that you are In charge of their environment.

If a dog learns that barking, whining, or jumping gets them what they want, they’ll continue to do it. It’s important to correct unwanted behavior consistently and reward positive actions instead. Overall, successful training creates a healthy, respectful relationship where both the dog and the owner know their roles.

11. Seek professional assistance If Needed

Here are a few important steps you should follow if you’re considering this for a medical or approved reason:

Consult a veterinarian

Always talk to a licensed vet who can provide expert advice on whether tail docking is necessary for your dog. They will discuss health, behavior, and possible alternatives.

Understand the Legal Framework

In many places, tail docking is only allowed for specific working dog breeds or for medical reasons. Ensure you’re compliant with your countries or region’s laws and veterinary guidelines.

Medical Reasons

 Tail docking is typically done when there are medical reasons, such as an injury or chronic condition. This should be determined by a vet.

Ethical Considerations

Consider the potential pain, risks, and long-term effects. Many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations discourage docking for cosmetic purposes.

Seek Alternatives:

If your goal is to prevent tail injuries in active or working dogs, discuss alternative measures, like protective tail bandages or simply managing activities where injuries could happen.

12. Recognize and understand your dog’s genetic background.

When it comes to our furry companions, every dog has a unique story to tell. Have you ever wondered about your canine friend’s heritage and the breeds that make them so special? With advancements in veterinary science, exploring your dog’s ancestry through DNA testing has become a fascinating and popular option. This article will delve into the captivating world of understanding your dog’s heritage, shedding light on their genetic background and how it can enhance their care and well-being.

Understanding Your Dog’s Heritage

DNA testing for dogs has revolutionized our understanding of their genetic makeup. By analyzing specific markers in their DNA, these tests can provide insights into your dog’s breed composition, helping you gain a deeper understanding of their ancestry. Discovering your dog’s heritage through DNA testing offers a captivating and informative way to understand their unique story.

The Power of DNA Testing

DNA testing for dogs can unlock a wealth of information about your furry friend’s genetic background. By examining their DNA markers, these tests reveal the breeds that contribute to their composition. This knowledge can provide valuable insights into their characteristics, behavior, and potential health predispositions.

Health and Wellness Insights

Understanding your dog’s genetic heritage can offer essential information about potential health concerns. Different breeds have varying genetic predispositions to certain diseases or conditions. Knowing these risks, you can proactively protect your dog’s health and ensure they receive appropriate veterinary care.

Tailoring Care and Training

Each breed has unique traits, energy levels, and exercise requirements. By identifying the breeds in your dog’s lineage, you can tailor their care, training, and mental stimulation to suit their needs. Understanding their genetic heritage allows you to provide an environment that supports their instincts and ensures their overall well-being.

Nutrition and Diet

Dogs’ nutritional needs can vary based on their breed composition. By uncovering your dog’s genetic background, you can make informed decisions regarding their diet. Certain breeds may have specific dietary requirements or sensitivities, and knowing their heritage can help you choose the most suitable food options to keep them healthy and thriving.

13. Don’t reward undesirable habits.”

Instead, start by identifying behaviors you don’t want, like jumping, barking for attention, or pulling on the leash, and ensure you don’t reward these actions, even unintentionally. Instead, redirect your dog to a more desirable behavior. Be patient.

• Ignore unwanted behavior: If your dog jumps on you or barks for attention, do not engage. Avoid eye contact, don’t touch, and don’t speak to the dog until it calms down.
• Remove rewards: If your dog engages in unwanted behavior like begging at the table or stealing food, ensure that the dog doesn’t get the reward they’re after.

14. Maintain a regular schedule.

Dogs love to have a consistent schedule the same way people do in their daily routine, but every dog is unique and has different needs based on age, breed, and temperament. Even dogs of the same age and breed may not have the same needs to stay happy, so it is best to use the daily schedule provided below as a general guide for your dog.

General Daily Schedule for Stubborn Dog

Morning

• 7:00 -7:30 AM – Wake up and Potty.
• 7:30-7:45 AM – Short Training Sessions
• 7:45-8:00 AM – Breakfast
• 8:30-9:00 AM – Potty
• 9:00 AM-1:00 PM – Crate

Mid-day

• 1:00-1:30 PM – Potty
• 1:30-5:30 PM Play, Training Session, Socialization

Evening

• 5:30-6:30 PM – Potty Break/ Walk
• 6:30-7:00 PM Settle In
• 7:00-7:15 PM – Dinner
• 7:45-9:30 PM – Play/ Relax
• 9:30-10:00 PM – Last Potty/ Sleep