The term “stubborn” is a human interpretation, often misapplied to our canine companions. Dogs are inherently cooperative, eager to please, and do not act out of spite or a desire to teach us lessons. Attributing human emotions like stubbornness, revenge, or spite to dogs is a common misconception that hinders effective training and a strong human-animal bond. This article explores five key principles to foster a better understanding and training relationship with your dog, moving beyond the myth of stubbornness.
Don’t Assume They Know
Dogs are far from stubborn; they are remarkable in their desire to comply when given clear options and guidance. A dog that listens well in a quiet environment demonstrates cooperativeness and a willingness to do right. However, expecting that same level of obedience amidst high distractions, like in a busy park, is unrealistic without dedicated training. Building a dog’s ability to listen in various situations requires significant, consistent, and fair effort from the human handler. Training must progress from controlled environments to more challenging ones, gradually introducing distractions to ensure the dog truly understands and can perform commands reliably.
Invest Time in Training Desired Behaviors
Focus your training efforts on the behaviors that are truly relevant to your life with your dog. There’s little benefit in dedicating extensive time to training a skill that you will never practically use. Prioritize behaviors pertinent to your daily interactions and train them thoroughly. A solid understanding of these core skills is crucial. You must teach these behaviors and then dedicate time to perfecting them across diverse locations and amidst a variety of distractions. This ensures your dog is genuinely trained in the skills that matter most to your life.
Past Performance Doesn’t Guarantee Future Results
Consider how much of your high school education you recall today. Similarly, dogs retain knowledge that is actively practiced. If your dog hasn’t had opportunities to practice a skill, especially during seasonal changes or periods of inactivity, don’t expect perfect performance. For instance, after a winter spent mostly indoors, expecting flawless off-leash recall in the spring requires refresher training. Remind your dog of commands like “come” before assuming they will remember the skill without practice. Consistent reinforcement is key to maintaining learned behaviors.
Consistency is Key in Skill Training
Dogs learn through doing, and inconsistency can dilute their understanding. If you call your dog and they don’t respond, whether due to lack of understanding or an overwhelming distraction, the effectiveness of your command diminishes. Each time a command is given without the desired result, your dog learns that the command can be ignored. This cycle of ignored commands can worsen over time. Remember that dogs form associations. If you allow an association to be built around an undesired behavior, that is what you will get. It’s vital to work consistently and thoughtfully to help your dog create the positive associations you desire.
Seek Professional Guidance
When you encounter behavioral challenges or are unsure about your dog’s actions, consulting a professional dog trainer is highly recommended. It’s easy to assume we understand our dogs’ thoughts because we know them well, but this often leads to projecting human emotions onto their behavior. A qualified behaviorist or professional dog trainer can accurately diagnose the problem and implement the correct solutions, helping you navigate complex behavioral issues.
Dogs are intelligent and wonderful creatures. We owe them the patience, kindness, and effort to communicate our intentions in ways they can understand. Applying human emotions and interpretations will not benefit either you or your dog.
Shannon Viljasoo, Director of Online Training and Content for McCann Professional Dog Trainers, brings extensive experience to the field, having joined the McCann team in 1999. She is passionate about helping people build strong relationships with their canine companions and currently shares her life with two Tollers, Reggie and Ned. Shannon enjoys writing about dogs and dog training for the McCann blog, drawing on her deep understanding of canine behavior and effective training methodologies.
