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.

3 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.

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.