If you've got a stubborn dog who pulls on the leash, get some really good treats (chicken, steak, hot dogs, etc.) and cut them into pea-sized pieces. Take your clicker and these treats with you on your walk. When you step out the front door, wait for your dog to look back at you.
In dogs, stubborn typically means difficult to train. Breeds genetically predisposed to be independent, headstrong and highly active may exhibit stubborn traits. Some were bred to be hunters, so their high prey drive and scent-tracking instincts deter them from following commands.
Appropriate, frequent, and regularly scheduled exercise sessions, providing appropriate outlets for normal behaviors, along with an early start to training can go a long way to preventing most unruly behaviors. Waiting to train your puppy until it is 6 months of age can often let these disobedient behaviors take hold.
A stubborn dog could be one that stays standing or even lunges on the leash when asked to sit. A stubborn dog could be one that continues to sniff a flower or dig in the dirt when being called to come. Or a stubborn dog could be one that puts on the brakes, refusing to move in the direction you are trying to walk.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing.
Methods such as alpha rolls and physical corrections (via the leash and a choke chain or by smacking the dog on the nose or by shaking their scruffs) were often recommended as a way for humans to establish dominance over their dogs.
You need an incentive to encourage your dog to come back - a really tasty treat or a fun game with a toy. Show your dog the toy or food. Run away a couple of paces then call your dog's name and say "come" in a friendly, exciting tone - getting down low can also encourage them to come back.
When done correctly and when combined with proactive training, ignoring unwanted behavior can work. However, the time it takes depends on your dog's reinforcement history and their own personal enjoyment of the behavior. For some dogs, they get through an extinction burst quickly, while others can take quite a while.
The extent to which a dog's “teenager” behavior depends on the breed and temperament. Some dogs can pass through adolescence without any issues, while others may stay in this stubborn phase until about three years of age.
Stubborn dogs might take a bit of hard work to train, but have no fear; it is not impossible. With the right training and patience, even the most headstrong dogs can learn from their masters.
Sometimes dogs have a lot of pent up energy or boredom, so they're challenging to train. To counteract their energy, be sure to schedule in extra exercise every day. A dog that has his physical exertion needs met is more likely to cooperate with you during your training sessions.
The best recall words are clear and concise - with commands like 'come', 'here' and 'back' being the most popular. It's also important for your dog to be able to recognise and respond to its name.
Separation Anxiety Can Cause Your Dog to Not Leave Your Side
Some dogs even try to prevent you from leaving. Dogs with separation anxiety will sometimes start barking, pacing or exhibiting other distressing behaviors after a short time after being left alone.
Changes in behavior may indicate a health problem, so it's important to bring your dog to the veterinarian. Health isn't the only reason a dog's behavior changes. A dog who suddenly becomes disinterested in his pack may be experiencing a wide range of emotions, such as jealousy, anxiety or depression.
“If your dog whines, barks, paws at you, or nudges you to get affection, this means that they don't respect your personal space and they won't listen to you in other areas of training and leadership.” This one may be tricky for dog owners.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
Lhasa Apso
These long-haired pups were bred by Tibetan monks to be alert-dogs, so naturally, they are big barkers. Lhasas have also been described as manipulative, mischievous and uncompromising.
So when will it get easier? The first two months are the most difficult and the following months also bring their challenges. So the answer is, it will get easier and easier, depending on how much effort you put into educating your dog. You should therefore remain hopeful in the process during the first year.
At what age is it too late to train a dog? Of course, you know the answer by now: It is not ever too late. Training works at any point in a dog's life. Whether you start the day you bring your puppy home, or when your 10 year old dog finally needs to stop his leash pulling habit.