The Myth of the Stubborn Dog: It’s Not What You Think

How many times have you heard—or perhaps said—it yourself? "My dog is so stubborn." It’s a phrase that shows up in consultations, emails, and frustrated text messages from owners who feel stuck. But what if I told you your dog’s “stubbornness” is actually a misunderstood signal? Let’s clear the air.

The Misunderstood Canine

When we label a dog as “stubborn,” we’re often missing the real story underneath the behavior. In most cases, dogs aren't choosing to ignore us—they're trying to communicate something louder than our cues.

1. Fear, Not Defiance

“The most common reason for a dog to hesitate when asked to do something is fear.”— Dr. Lorraine Martinez, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant

Dogs freeze, avoid, or retreat not to challenge you—but because their nervous system is overwhelmed.

2. Distraction vs. Motivation

“Most dogs labeled as ‘stubborn’ are really just harder to motivate or are more easily distracted by the environment.”— Leighann Hurley, Professional Dog Trainer

In training, we call this “low value” responsiveness. The world offers more compelling options than your voice—until you teach them why you matter most.

3. Confusion Over Clarity

Inconsistent commands confuse your dog. If “Down” means lie down sometimes and stop jumping other times, your dog doesn’t need more correction—he needs more consistency.

Blame the Brain, Not the Breed

Neuroscientist Gregory Berns, known for MRI studies on dogs, makes one thing clear: “Dogs aren’t robots—they’re emotional beings who respond to clarity, trust, and reward-based learning.” Translation? If your dog doesn’t respond, your communication—not their personality—is likely the problem.

Instinct Isn’t Stubbornness

Ever tried to recall your dog mid-squirrel chase? That’s not stubbornness. That’s instinctive drift—when natural impulses override training, even in well-trained dogs.

“Trainers need to acknowledge instinct, not punish it. The dog’s brain is doing its job.”— Karen Pryor, author of Don’t Shoot the Dog

The solution? Proof the command under distraction before the instinct kicks in.

The Dominance Myth, Debunked

The outdated dominance theory (your dog is trying to “be the alpha”) has been widely discredited by modern behavioral science. Punishing disobedience in the name of leadership often causes more harm than good.

“Dominance-based methods confuse dogs and damage the human-canine relationship. Cooperation is more effective than control.”— American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

Reframing the Label

So what do we do when our dog seems stubborn?

We ask better questions:

• Are they confused?

• Are they overwhelmed?

• Have I taught this in multiple contexts with repetition and clarity?

• Have I made obedience more rewarding than distraction?

Final Thoughts

“Your dog isn’t being stubborn. They’re responding perfectly—to your level of clarity, motivation, and leadership.”— Hayden Fullingim

At A Peaceful Pack, we don’t label dogs. We listen to them. Stubbornness is a myth. What you’re seeing is either confusion, fear, or a lack of training context. But once you train through those layers—what’s on the other side is a calm, clear, and willing companion.

References

1. Martinez, Lorraine. "Why Is My Dog So Stubborn?" Loma Behavior.https://lomabehavior.com/ask-the-behaviorist/why-is-my-dog-so-stubborn

2. Hurley, Leighann. "The Stubborn Dog Myth." Koinonia Dogs.https://www.koinoniadogs.com/blog/the-stubborn-dog-myth

3. Berns, Gregory. How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain. New Harvest, 2013.

4. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). "Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals."https://avsab.org

5. Pryor, Karen. Don’t Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training. Bantam, 1999.