12/31/2025
Dogs labeled “stubborn” are almost always dogs who are trying really hard under stress.
They’re not ignoring you — they’re coping with something in their environment, their body, or their emotions.
When a dog “won’t listen,” it’s often because:
🧠 Their stress level is too high to process cues
🌪️ The environment is overwhelming
😟 They’re unsure, scared, or conflicted
🐾 Their needs aren’t being met in that moment
📣 They’re communicating discomfort the only way they know how
When we shift from “my dog is being difficult” to
“my dog is struggling and trying to communicate,”
everything changes — for the dog and the guardian.
Understanding behavior as communication (not defiance) is one of the most powerful mindset shifts in dog training.