Is my dog really Stubborn?
Is Your Dog Really Stubborn? Understanding What’s Actually Going On
I hear it all the time: ‘My dog is so stubborn,’ ‘They have such an attitude,’ ‘My dog knows what to do but refuses to listen,’ or ‘My dog only listens when I have treats.’
Sound familiar?
These thoughts and frustrations are incredibly common among dog owners. But labeling a dog as stubborn often causes us to overlook what may really be happening beneath the surface. Before assuming your dog is being difficult on purpose, it’s worth taking a closer look at the situation.
If you feel like your dog is “stubborn,” ask yourself these questions first.
When Doesn’t My Dog Listen—and When Do They Listen?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask when dealing with so-called stubborn behavior. Dogs don’t ignore us randomly, ignoring is a behavior, and behaviors happen for a reason.
Start looking for patterns:
Is it when you say a specific cue or word?
Does it happen more at home or in new environments?
Does your dog respond better when treats are present?
Are there distractions like people, dogs, or noises nearby?
Understanding when your dog struggles to listen can give you valuable insight into whether the issue is training, environment, motivation, or stress. Not stubbornness.
What Is My Dog’s Breed (or Mix)?
Breed plays a major role in how dogs process information and interact with humans. Some breeds are commonly labeled as “stubborn,” including Siberian Huskies, Great Pyrenees, many Terriers, Sighthounds, and Scenthounds. In reality, these dogs are often more independent or aloof, not defiant.
Some breeds, like Border Collies or Labrador Retrievers, were bred to work closely alongside humans and naturally tend to be more attentive. Others were bred to focus elsewhere:
Scenthounds follow smells
Sighthounds scan their environment
Guardian breeds make independent decisions
This doesn’t mean these dogs aren’t trainable. It simply means they may need different motivation, training methods, or reinforcement strategies. Taking your dog’s breed into account can dramatically improve your training success.
Did My Dog Have an Overwhelming Day?
We often assume our dogs can handle everything we put in front of them like grooming appointments, vet visits, busy outings, or social events. But these experiences can be stressful, even if your dog appears “fine.”
Stress and emotional overload can significantly impact your dog’s ability to focus, listen, and perform trained behaviors. If your dog had a tough or overstimulating day, lower responsiveness doesn’t mean they’re being stubborn, it means they’re overwhelmed.
Are All of My Dog’s Needs Truly Being Met?
Food, shelter, and physical health are essential, but they’re only part of the picture. Dogs have individual emotional, physical and mental needs, and when those needs aren’t met, it often shows up as problem behavior.
Some dogs need:
More physical exercise
Mental stimulation and enrichment
Structured training sessions
Decompression time and rest
Fewer demands and less chaos
When these needs are unmet, behaviors we label as “disobedience” or “stubbornness” often emerge.
Are My Expectations Too High?
Having expectations is normal, and healthy, but we also have to meet our dogs where they are. It’s easy to compare our dog to others we see online or in public and expect the same level of behavior instantly.
But expecting a dog in early training to perform like a highly trained dog is like expecting a first grader to write a college-level paper. It’s not fair, and it sets everyone up for frustration.
Dogs need:
Clear communication
Consistent training
Time and repetition
Opportunities to succeed
Lowering expectations temporarily doesn’t mean giving up, it means setting your dog up for success so they can eventually meet those higher goals.
Final Thoughts
Most “stubborn dogs” aren’t stubborn at all. They’re confused, overwhelmed, under-motivated, overstimulated, or simply being dogs. When we shift our perspective and look at behavior through a training and needs-based lens, real progress begins.
If you’re struggling with your dog’s behavior, remember: understanding always comes before change.
