Tuesday Training Byte: Stubborn dog or trainer issues?

I have owned a variety of breeds from various groups. Some breeds may often be labeled as "stubborn". Many hounds may fall into that category, and so do Rottweilers, etc. So really? Dogs are sentient beings and have feelings, but they do not have the same set of complex emotions as humans. When it appears that my dog won't listen or just plain ignores me, I need to re-think the why behind that behavior. Breeds that get the stubborn label are often independent dogs. They were bred for a certain job and convincing the dog to do what you want can be tricky. This is one reason that I like positive reinforcement.

First, I pay attention to what my dog was bred to do and seems to enjoy doing. This is key because I can include this as part of his reward. Additional rewards should really often and be of high value. For example I am working on teaching the proper heel position without pulling. About every third step I mark the correct behavior with "Yes!" and a piece of string cheese or slice of beef hot dog. These treats are good motivators for my dog (high value). Eventually, we will decrease and randomize how often the rewards come, but for awhile, it is really frequent.

Second, I do not force my dog to approach or touch anything that worries him. I pay attention to my dog and his body language communicates whether or not he is okay getting on that equipment, etc. Similarly, I do not push on my dog's rump to get him to sit, or push his shoulders to get him to lay down. Dogs tend to push against any pressure, so this can be perceived by the owner as stubbornness.

Third, I give clear commands in an upbeat voice. I use the dog's name first, then the command. I do not repeat the name or command. If you hear someone speak to you in an excited voice, like "Hey, Julie! Come here!" it peaks your attention to respond to the invitation. This is how I command my dogs, and I start praising them the moment the begin the process. I mean, really make a big deal out of it. Once the dog has figured it out, praise and give a treat. Take a brief break and play for a bit. Run around for a game of chase, toss their ball or play tug, give a belly rub, etc.

Finally, think about yourself. Even if you like your job, it is doubtful that you would continue to put in the hard work or show up if you didn't get paid. Don't forget to "pay" your dog and he will be more eager to respond to your commands. Check out the brief article below.

Happy Training!

https://www.greenfieldpuppies.com/blog/are-dogs-stubborn-why-dogs-dont-listen/