How to Motivate a Stubborn Dog |Why Your Dog is Ignoring You and How to Help Them Listen (Early access for our Patreon community)

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Is your dog on a stubborn streak lately? You ask for a simple “sit” or “stay,” and they act like they’ve never heard those words before. It can be frustrating. But don’t worry, this is totally normal, and there’s usually a reason behind it. There’s always a why. More importantly, there are ways to get your dog back on track to listening and learning without stress or frustration for either of you.

Why Do Dogs Go Through Stubborn Phases?

First, it’s always about the why in dog behavior. The why is so important, I wrote an entire article dedicated to that! Let’s try to troubleshoot why your dog might be ignoring your requests. Three main reasons a dog may ignore you is that they’re bored, frustrated, or confused. Other times, they may not be motivated enough. Just like us, dogs are full of emotions and need the right environment and encouragement to be successful in dog training. If the task seems too difficult, or the reward isn’t worth the effort, they’re likely to check out mentally.

No worries. I have you covered in today’s blog post! Let’s get those puppers back to being engaged and eager learners.

Keep Dog Training Fun and Engaging

One of the main reasons dogs might seem stubborn or ignore you, is that the training stops being enjoyable for them. Maybe you are asking for too much at once, or the task is too difficult to do. If they aren’t able to be successful and win, they are likely going to give up. That’s a very demotivating situation to be in. Then, the next time you go to train with your dog, they may check out before you even begin.

Make training feel like a fun game rather than a chore. Keep sessions short. I always say, short-and-sweet sessions throughout the day. That truly can be a three-minute session or even just five repetitions. The goal is for your dog to be in it and want more when you end, not be exhausted. If you train your dog for longer sessions, toss in activities your dog already loves, like playtime, sniffing, or even their favorite tricks. Mix in behaviors that are easy for them and boost their confidence with lots of praise and rewards.

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Break It Down Into Little Wins

As I mentioned earlier, they need to win. It’s okay for them to try to figure things out, as long as they are still engaged and enjoying the process. If you notice your dog isn’t responding well, it’s possible you’re asking for too much too soon. Training in small, easy-to-succeed steps is key. Start with something easy, and, once they nail that, move on to the next step. This way, they’ll experience more wins along the way, keeping their motivation high. When you go to practice the behavior the next time, go back a step or two and rebuild during training. This will once again motivate them because they will win first then start to learn new criteria.

For example, if your dog is struggling with “stay,” break it into smaller parts. First, reward them for just staying in place for one second. Gradually increase the time one second at a time. These small wins build their confidence and enjoyment and make your dog eager to keep going!

Use Rewards That Matter to THEM

Dogs need to know that their hard work will pay off, so make sure the reward is worth it. This could be high-value treats, a favorite toy, or even a fun game of tug. It depends on each individual dog. I know dogs that go crazy for carrots, but Dexter won’t even eat one. If the task is difficult or new, go for something really special, something your dog would do backflips for!

Also, mix up your rewards. For “easy” tasks, you can use something less valuable. But for more “expensive” behaviors, such as leash walking in a busy area or ignoring distractions, bring out the big guns! Something extra special they don’t get often.

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Incorporate Other Things Your Dog Loves

What does your dog love to do? Is it a good game of tug? Sniffing and exploring? Maybe even belly rubs. I don’t know what your dog enjoys, but you probably do. Make sure during your dog training you weave in some of their favorite things to do, to give them a mental break from learning. This doesn’t have to be long; a few minutes to unwind is great. By incorporating play and exploration into your training, you’re reinforcing that training time is a time of bonding and fun, not just learning new things.

Always Stay Positive!

Your dog might not always get things right the first time, but that’s okay! Stay upbeat and encouraging, even if things don’t go as planned. If your dog is struggling, avoid using negative markers like “wrong” or “uh-oh.” These can be discouraging (read more) and lead to your dog shutting down or not wanting to train. Instead, if your dog doesn’t perform the behavior you’re asking for, change your goal and approach. Take a step back and make it easier, switch to a new task, or try with a different motivator.

Remember, dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and encouragement. They want to make you happy! So, when they succeed, even in small ways, throw a party! Especially if it’s something your dog is struggling to learn. This will keep your dog engaged and happy and more eager to keep learning.

Short-and-Sweet Dog Training Sessions

Less is more when it comes to training. Short, frequent dog training sessions are much more effective than long, drawn-out ones. Aim for just five to ten minutes of training a few times a day….or less. This helps hold your dog’s focus without their feeling overwhelmed. Always end on a positive note. This leaves your dog feeling accomplished and excited for the next session.

In Conclusion

Your dog’s stubborn streak isn’t the end of the world! It’s simply a signal that training needs to be more engaging, rewarding, and broken down into manageable steps. Keep it fun, keep it positive, and, most importantly, keep it short. You’ll boost your dog’s enthusiasm, and they’ll start looking forward to training sessions.