Rent safe and private dog parks hosted by locals

Dog Training Dog Reactivity Dog Enrichment Sniffspot Community Top Dog Trainers City Dog Parks Dog Breeds Dog Names Dog Rescues & Shelters

Home

Blog

Dog Training

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy

Haley Young

June 29, 2024

Dog Training

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy thumbnail

You feel like you’ve tried everything... but you just can’t get your dog to listen. They still pee on the carpet or bark out the windows or run away when you call them at the park. It’s not this hard for your neighbor and his new puppy, right? Why is your dog so stubborn? Are you a bad pet parent? Are you doing something wrong?

We’ve been there, and we understand.

Dog training can be especially overwhelming when it feels like you and your companion just aren’t on the same page. That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide on how to train your "stubborn" dog. Read on for important background context, definitions, and training tips.

What does it mean for a dog to be stubborn?

The word “stubborn” can be used to describe a wide range of canine behavior. While some dogs were selectively bred to be more independent, most pets aren’t "disobedient" on purpose.

In reality: When a dog appears to be stubborn, it actually means they are under motivated—or have no idea what is being asked of them.

Common reasons your dog might seem stubborn

Your dog doesn’t understand what you’re asking

Many dogs want to please their owners but just don’t know how. Living in a modern human world can be confusing for a canine! We sometimes forget that they don’t naturally understand verbal language or societal norms the way we do.

Your puppy isn’t old enough to focus

Puppies often have trouble focusing, especially in new environments. Young puppies take in overwhelming amounts of new information every day and are often distracted by things we may not even notice.

In adolescence, dogs (just like human teenagers) are going through growth spurts, hormonal changes, and awkward phases. They may seem stubborn—but really they’re dealing with many emotional and physical adjustments that can make it really hard for them to complete behaviors that they otherwise might know well.

Your dog has not generalized their cues to new environments

Dogs often struggle to generalize behaviors. It’s not uncommon for them to enthusiastically follow basic cues in a familiar environment but stare at us owners blankly when we ask in a busier place.

This doesn’t mean your puppy is disobeying you on purpose. It just indicates a lack of training generalization. They need more help understanding that your verbal cue or hand signal means the same thing in every location! Plus new environments often come with new competing motivators that compete to capture your dog’s attention. Training is an ongoing process.

dog pulling leash

Your dog isn’t sufficiently motivated to work for you

Just like us people, dogs like to know there’s something in it for them! If your dog doesn’t listen—especially if they used to follow training cues but have recently started blowing you off—it might be because they feel you’re not “paying” them enough for their behavior.

Your dog is scared or overwhelmed

Nervous dogs can seem stubborn, but they’re really just having a hard time coping with their environments. They might be too overwhelmed to be able to pay attention to you at all, let alone follow your cues—but not necessarily for lack of trying.

If your dog freezes on walks or has a hard time listening, consider whether they might be scared.

Your dog is expressing natural breed traits

We bred certain traits into dog breeds over generations and generations. For example: Hounds are notorious for walking with their noses to the ground, herders are hyper-aware of their surroundings, terriers frantically chase prey, and so on.

If your dog seems stubborn because they won’t walk calmly on a loose leash or stop digging through your sock drawer, it’s worth thinking about what jobs we developed their ancestors to do. Your four-legged friend might simply be following their instincts! We can't blame them for that.

Your dog is in physical pain

Canines are great at hiding discomfort. If your dog seems reluctant to perform certain cues (like lying down) you should consider whether they might be in pain. It could be that Fido is just feeling hurt, not disobedient.

How to build a more cooperative relationship with your stubborn dog

Living with a dog who doesn’t seem to listen is frustrating. After you’ve thought through the above section to see if a label other than “stubborn” might be more appropriate to describe your pet, it’s a good idea to step back and think about your dog-owner relationship as a whole.

Spend time engaging together, especially in play

When you’re struggling with your dog, it’s easy to forget the reasons that you got a puppy in the first place.

But we bet one of them was to have fun together, wasn’t it?

If you and your dog are struggling to connect, try spending more time engaging in activities you both love. A good game of fetch or tug will put you in a better mindset to work together during a formal training session.

Provide opportunities for your dog to express natural behaviors

As mentioned previously, some stubborn dogs simply have not had their needs met, and will naturally find it harder to focus on what you are asking them. Giving them safe opportunities to express natural behavior can make a world of difference!

A few examples:

Instead of asking your terrier to ignore their prey drive completely, consider enrolling in a barn hunt class together.

Try out some nosework with your hound.

Get your herding breed a herding ball or let them engage in stalky behavior during play with you.

Take your husky out on regular runs, or consider biologically appropriate activities like skijoring or bikejoring.

And more: Ask yourself what your dog was bred to do and how you can help them tap into those instincts.

The more we fulfill our dogs, the better they’re able to listen to what we ask!

How to increase your stubborn dog’s training motivation

Pay attention to what your dog finds rewarding

Just because we think our dogs should like something doesn’t mean they actually will.

A common reason your dog might seem stubborn is because they’d rather work for a different reward than what you’ve been using. Some pets are highly food motivated for training treats (or even their own kibble) while others prefer toys. Some love verbal praise and hearing your happy voice while others don’t pay it as much mind. Every dog is an individual!

Take some time to observe the things your dog loves best outside of training sessions. Are they always sniffing for a new smell? Do they gobble their food the instant you set it down? Can they never get enough of their favorite ball? Use that information to your advantage by picking the reward that will motivate them most.

Vary your rewards—and add in randomized "jackpots"

Variety is the spice of life! Even if your dog is working for their favorite reward in the world, they might become bored of it over time.

Maintain your dog’s interest by switching up your rewards between training sessions (or even within the same lesson). Vary the ways that you are delivering treats or how long your play breaks are—and once in a while, toss in a big jackpot (like giving them a whole handful of treats or a longer burst of toy play) when they’re least expecting it.

If they start to think “any time now I might get a whole bucketful of treats!” they’ll be more likely to stay engaged than if you give them the exact same cookie on every repetition.

Start in familiar, low-distraction environments

If multiple things are competing for your dog’s attention at once, they’ll have a harder time learning from you. Have your sessions in a quiet spot (like your own home’s living room or backyard) before asking them to perform in more distracting environments (like a private Sniffspot with space to roam).

Over time, start working on cues around more and more distractions in a range of environments, and allow your dog to be successful at each stage before moving on to the next.

Focus on having fun in training sessions

Dogs are masters at reading our emotions. Over the years we’ve bred this sensitivity into them even more. Today some pet canines are better at interpreting human body language—even as puppies—than that of their own species! (That's a big deal in the animal kingdom.)

What does this mean for your training? In short, it’s hard to fool a dog. If you’re not having fun working with your companion, chances are they’ll pick up on that—and it will only discourage you both more.

Try keeping frequent training sessions short, simple, and upbeat. Set yourselves up for success! Try to make the skills, behaviors, and tricks you’re asking for relatively easy for your dog. This way you can praise and reward them heavily for getting things right.

And remember: Dog training isn’t a race. It can be difficult not to compare your dog’s progress to others, but dogs are individuals. Working at your puppy’s own pace is important!

Common skills your dog might struggle with if they seem stubborn

We have separate blogs detailing how to work on each of these behaviors:

Walking nicely on a leash

Coming when called

Crate training

And more! Browse our full list of dog training articles on the Sniffspot blog.

dog sitting

How to stay consistent with your stubborn dog

Using the right rewards, having fun....that all sounds well and good. But how do you get through the difficult moments with your dog? What do you do when you’re at the end of your rope and feel like you’ll never make progress?

Here are two important ways to stay on track in your training.

Use management to prevent your dog from practicing unwanted behaviors

We don’t always have the energy or opportunity for a structured training session. And that’s okay! As you work on increasing your dog’s motivation to work with you, consider implementing some management protocols to prevent problem behaviors from getting worse.

This might look like:

Keeping a leash on your dog inside the house so you can gently guide them away from things like counter surfing.

Investing in some pee pads to minimize damage to your carpet or hard floors while your dog continues to work through house training.

Putting opaque film on your windows to keep your dog from seeing—and barking at—people or other pets walking by.

Having your dog wear a long line at the park instead of letting them fully off leash.

And so on.

Make sure your entire household is on the same page about your dog’s training

It takes a village! Your dog’s training will progress more slowly if your family members have different expectations for them.

Take some time to sit down with everyone who lives with your dog and talk about what verbal cues, hand signals, and rules you’ll all use. If you’re a social butterfly, you might want to consider chatting with friends who regularly visit or see your dog out and about, too.

An added bonus of these conversations? When you’re feeling low, your support network will have your back.

Next steps if your stubborn dog still isn’t learning

Take your companion for a full vet check up

If your dog still isn’t making training progress, it’s a good idea to make sure they have a clean bill of health. A thorough veterinary exam can identify problems we might miss at first glance—like arthritis or hearing loss—that can keep our pets from performing at their best.

Reach out to a professional trainer

Sometimes all we need is a little extra guidance from someone we can trust. If your dog still seems stubborn, get in touch with a certified force-free trainer! They’ll be able to understand your unique situation and provide personalized guidance to better enjoy your companion moving forward.

Trainer that reviewed this article

There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers. The trainers that review our content are reviewed by other trainers to ensure that we have the best quality filters on our content.

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Beth Berkobien, MS - Animal Behavior, Cert. SAPT
Behavior Consultant/Trainer - Rehab Your Rescue Behavior Services - Masters degree in animal behavior, certified in separation anxiety

Haley Young

June 29, 2024

Dog Training

Haley Young

About the author

Haley is a self-proclaimed dog nerd and full-time freelance writer. She's passionate about connecting with fellow pet lovers through training and lifestyle content — learning from professional trainers, animal cognition researchers, and other experts along the way. Haley travels the country full time with her rescue dog, a shy blue heeler, and loves conquering new situation as a team. Dog-friendly national parks, hiking trails, and Sniffspots have become favorite places across the country! When she isn't writing or playing an intense game of tug with her cattle dog, you can find her reading books (her favorite author is late ethologist Frans de Waal), listening to a range of animal-related podcasts, and having conversations about (you guessed it) the many ways other creatures impact our lives.

About Sniffspot

Sniffspot is a community marketplace that enables anyone to rent land by-the-hour as a safe and private dog park.

Find Sniffspot on your favorite social media

Puppy Training: How to Stop Leash Aggression

Kenapa Anjing Menggigit Ekornya? Ini Alasannya

American Staffordshire Terrier: Your Complete Guide

All categories

10 Unconventional Ways to Exercise Your Dog

Dog Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety

Most recent articles

Puppy Training: How to Stop Leash Aggression

Kenapa Anjing Menggigit Ekornya? Ini Alasannya

American Staffordshire Terrier: Your Complete Guide

Top Airlines That Allow Large Dogs in Cabin (2024)

Big Dog Runs in Philadelphia: Public & Private Options

Portland Dog Parks: Sniffspot vs. Public Options

Puppy Training: How to Stop Leash Aggression

Kenapa Anjing Menggigit Ekornya? Ini Alasannya

American Staffordshire Terrier: Your Complete Guide

Top dog guides per area

Dog training guides

My Dog Is Food Aggressive With Other Dogs: What To Do
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
Scent Training for Dogs: A Beginner's Guide
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
Service Dog Training Costs: DIY vs. Pro
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!

Dog enrichment guides

Top 10 Dog Water Parks in the US
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
Best Toys for Herding Dogs: A Trainer's Guide
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ultimate Guide: Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
Daily Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
Everyone knows dogs need exercise, but how much is enough? Walks are great, but creating a truly balanced fitness plan means understanding your dog's specific needs. This post helps you develop a daily exercise calculator for your dog, considering breed, age, and lifestyle. We'll cover fun activities, understanding exercise intensity, and recognizing when your pup has had enough. Let's create a plan that keeps your dog happy and healthy!
Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Dog reactivity guides

Rottweiler Aggression: Truth vs. Myth
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
What Is a Reactive Dog? A Practical Guide for Owners
Does your dog suddenly transform into a barking, lunging Tasmanian devil on walks? It's stressful for both of you. If this sounds familiar, you might have a reactive dog. Understanding what is a reactive dog is the first step to calmer walks. We'll explore the common triggers and give you actionable strategies to manage and modify this behavior. Let's turn those stressful walks into enjoyable outings.
How to Socialize a Reactive Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
What Is a Reactive Dog? A Comprehensive Guide
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
The 9 Best Online Communities for Reactive Dog Parents
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Sniffspot community guides

Top dog trainers in the US

The Best Dog Trainers in the United States of 2025
This is a list of the top dog trainers in the United States, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
The Best Dog Trainers in Seattle, WA of 2025
This is a list of the top dog trainers in Seattle, WA, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
The Best Dog Trainers in Portland, OR of 2025
This is a list of the top dog trainers in Portland, OR, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
The Best Dog Trainers in Los Angeles, CA of 2025
This is a list of the top dog trainers in Los Angeles, CA, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
The Best Dog Trainers in New York, NY of 2025
This is a list of the top dog trainers in New York, NY, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.

City dog parks guides

Dogs breeds

Top dog names in the US

Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names
Looking for the perfect dog name for your new pup? We have created filterable lists of dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative dog names.
Most Popular Male Dog Names
Looking for the perfect dog name for your new male pup? We have created filterable lists of male dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative male dog names.
Most Popular Female Dog Names
Looking for the perfect dog name for your new female pup? We have created filterable lists of female dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative female dog names.
Most Popular Golden Retriever Names
Welcome to our comprehensive list of Golden Retriever dog names, curated from our vast database of Sniffspot users. Filter through hundreds of thousands of options by gender, breed, and state to discover the most adorable, original, and imaginative names for your beloved Golden Retriever.
Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names
Welcome to our Labrador Retriever dog names page! Here you can browse through filterable lists of names for your beloved furry friend, ranging from cute and classic to unique and creative options. Our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users ensures you'll find the perfect name for your Labrador Retriever, whether you're seeking a name for a male or female, based on breed or state.

Top dog rescues in the US

The Best Washington Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025
This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Washington. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs.
The Best Oregon Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025
This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Oregon. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs.
The Best California Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025
This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in California. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs.
The Best Florida Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025
This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Florida. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs.
The Best New York Dog Rescues & Shelters in 2025
This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in New York. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs.

About Sniffspot

Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy

What does it mean for a dog to be stubborn?

Common reasons your dog might seem stubborn

Your dog doesn’t understand what you’re asking

Your puppy isn’t old enough to focus

Your dog has not generalized their cues to new environments

Your dog isn’t sufficiently motivated to work for you

Your dog is scared or overwhelmed

Your dog is expressing natural breed traits

Your dog is in physical pain

How to build a more cooperative relationship with your stubborn dog

Spend time engaging together, especially in play

Provide opportunities for your dog to express natural behaviors

How to increase your stubborn dog’s training motivation

Pay attention to what your dog finds rewarding

Vary your rewards—and add in randomized "jackpots"

Start in familiar, low-distraction environments

Focus on having fun in training sessions

Common skills your dog might struggle with if they seem stubborn

How to stay consistent with your stubborn dog

Use management to prevent your dog from practicing unwanted behaviors

Make sure your entire household is on the same page about your dog’s training

Next steps if your stubborn dog still isn’t learning

Take your companion for a full vet check up

Reach out to a professional trainer

Trainer that reviewed this article

Haley Young

About Sniffspot

Follow us

Related articles

All categories

Most recent articles

Related articles

Top dog guides per area

Dog training guides

Dog enrichment guides

Dog reactivity guides

Sniffspot community guides

Top dog trainers in the US

City dog parks guides

Dogs breeds

Top dog names in the US

Top dog rescues in the US

About Sniffspot

Browse by top cities

Atlanta

Austin

Boston

Calgary

Chicago

Columbus

Dallas

Denver

Edmonton

Houston

Las Vegas

Logan

Los Angeles

Milwaukee

Minneapolis

Nashville

New York

Old Toronto

Omaha

Ottawa

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Portland

San Antonio

San Diego

San Francisco

Seattle

Tampa

Washington

Westminster

Browse by top states

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas