Have you ever called for your dog to leave the dog park or to drop something they shouldn’t have, only to have them completely ignore you? While you may just write it off as your dog being stubborn, that might not be quite true. It’s not necessarily that dogs don’t listen to you because they’re stubborn; they may not understand what you’re asking. So, are dogs stubborn? Or, is something else going on? Here’s what to know and a few reasons why dogs don’t listen to help you determine what might be going on with your dog:

Are Dogs Stubborn?

When a dog doesn’t listen to you or doesn’t do something you want them to do, it’s easy to assume your dog is just being stubborn. However, the reality is that most dogs don’t understand the command or simply want to do something else instead.

If your dog is having so much fun at the dog park with their friends and you call them to leave, they might decide they want to stick with their friends instead. In their mind, they chose the more rewarding option. Before you assume your dog is just being stubborn, you may want to dig into a few reasons your dog won’t listen and see if something else is going on.

8 Reasons Why Dogs Don’t Listen

Here are a few potential reasons why dogs don’t listen:

1. They May Not Understand What You Mean

If you think your dog is being stubborn, they may not understand what you’re asking them to do. Teaching your dog commands and tricks is a lot like learning a new language. You won’t get it right the first or even fourth time. It takes a lot of practice and dedication.

This is a big benefit of puppy training classes. The earlier you start working on training, the more time your dog has to learn. Puppy training classes help keep training consistent, which can go a long way and help your dog understand what you’re asking them to do.

2. There Could Be a Lack of Proper Training Techniques

Patience is a virtue, and that is very true when it comes to dog training. You can’t do one hour of training and expect your dog to end up perfectly trained the next day. You need to break down each command into easy-to-follow steps and repeat them consistently and clearly. Consistency is one of the best dog training tips to follow.

If you’re inconsistent with your training, this may create confusion for your dog. Make sure you use the same word for basic commands every dog should know. Even deviating just a little bit may confuse your dog.

When they follow your command, be sure to reward them consistently, too. You don’t need to give them a treat every single time, but you should praise them each time. This reinforces a positive connection between obeying a command and getting attention and praise.

3. Your Dog Could Be Getting Varying Expectations from Different Family Members

If there are more people in your household than just you and your dog, your dog may be receiving mixed messages and signals from other family members. This may be one of the ways you’re confusing your dog. So, everyone needs to be on the same page about expectations for your dog. This includes using the same words for commands and upholding boundaries.

If you prefer that your dog doesn’t sit on the couch, but another family member encourages them to sit there, your dog will be very confused. They won’t know which person they should listen to or what the consistent expectation is, so they’ll do what makes the most sense for them, and they might not get off the couch when you ask them to. This looks like stubbornness, but it’s actually because your dog is receiving mixed messages.

4. Your Dog is Getting Mixed Signals

Does your dog ever look at you like you’re an alien when you tell them to do something? Dogs are smart animals, but if they get mixed signals from you, they will inevitably be confused. You need to use the same cues, gestures, or commands consistently for your dog to understand you.

You also need to pay attention to your body language. Dogs will pick up on the smallest thing, and if it doesn’t match the command, they may not listen. If you give a positive command but your face conveys frustration, your dog may not be inclined to listen. Paying attention to your body language so it matches your commands is a helpful tip to follow if your dog doesn’t listen.

5. Age May Be a Factor

Training plans are not one-size-fits-all situations, especially when it comes to a dog’s age. You can’t expect a puppy to immediately pick up training. Everything is new for a growing puppy, so training can take longer. This can look like stubbornness, but it’s simply a puppy adjusting to their new surroundings!

Take training at a slower pace and give your puppy grace as they learn. Consistency and rewards will go a long way in encouraging your puppy to learn commands and proper behavior. Going through puppy training classes may be helpful, too.

Conversely, older dogs may seem to be stubborn, but this may be a part of aging. As dogs age, cognitive abilities may decline slightly, and recalling commands and cues might take a little longer than it did in the past. This might be natural aging, or it may be a more serious issue like canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Age can also be a reason why your dog refuses to walk sometimes. If they have joint pain, walking can be difficult. Your dog isn’t being stubborn, they’re just trying to communicate that their body hurts! If your dog shows signs of pain or stubbornness when beginning a walk, get them a vet appointment.

6. They Might Be Distracted

Have you ever tried to follow directions when overwhelmed or frustrated? It can be really hard to concentrate when there’s too much going on. Well, this is the same for dogs. Dogs can easily become overstimulated and struggle to follow commands. This is where consistent training can help.

Working on basic training consistently and in a variety of environments can improve your dog’s recall training. They’ll also learn to focus on you and ignore things going on around them. Start slowly so they can adjust to a new place and bring plenty of treats. Treats will reinforce that following your command pays off more than doing what they want.

7. You Don’t Have a Strong Bond With Your Dog

Dogs tend to develop strong bonds with their owners. This strong bond often motivates them to want to please you. If you don’t have a good bond with your dog, they may be less inclined to follow your directions.

There are a few ways to build a bond with your dog. Walks, playtimes, and teaching tricks can strengthen your bond with your dog, but some dogs are content to simply be with you. Positive and gentle tones are another way to convey love for your dog, which makes them feel safe. Grooming or petting can also help build a bond, as long as your dog enjoys it. Some dogs don’t want to be touched all the time, so you need to be aware of their body language.

8. Their Breed May Be a Factor

Some dog breeds can display stubborn traits more than other breeds. Huskies, American Bulldogs, Terriers, and more are often perceived as stubborn, but it actually is often attributed to trainability. Terriers are especially independent, making training difficult. It’s important to know this and that it might take a different approach to training.

Just because you have a dog breed that’s considered stubborn doesn’t mean they get a free pass to do what they want. Your dog still needs to be trained, even if it will take more work. This may mean finding new ways to motivate them so they follow your instructions.

Working with a professional dog trainer can be very beneficial since they should have good working experience with a variety of breeds. They’ll help you develop a plan and strategy for training a dog that presents as stubborn that works!

There can be several potential reasons why dogs don’t listen. Knowing what they are can help you better answer the question, “Are dogs stubborn?”, and figure out what might be going on with your dog. Remember, it’s more often a lack of understanding or mixed communication rather than stubbornness. With some time and consistent training, you should be able to build trust, which will encourage your dog to listen.