Why Calling a Dog “Stubborn” Is a Red Flag

There’s a worrying trend in the dog world: trainers and owners labelling dogs as stubborn when they don’t immediately comply. I recently watched a video of a dog that stopped walking during a training session. Instead of asking why, the trainer applied pressure on the lead and dismissed the dog as being stubborn. But the dog was clearly uncomfortable—overweight, stiff, showing poor gait, low head carriage, and reduced range of motion. None of that is stubbornness. That is a dog communicating discomfort.

When we label a dog as stubborn, we shut down curiosity. We stop asking questions. And we risk missing pain, fear, confusion, or genuine physical limitations.

Dogs Are Not Stubborn — They Are Communicating

Stubbornness is a human concept. It implies defiance, spite, or a deliberate refusal to cooperate. Dogs do not operate with that mindset. Research consistently shows that canine behaviour is shaped by cognition, motivation, physical comfort, training history, and emotional state—not a desire to be difficult.

Large-scale studies show that dogs vary in problem‑solving, persistence, and inhibitory control depending on breed, genetics, and training background. These differences can easily be misinterpreted as stubbornness when in reality they reflect natural cognitive variation.

Other research shows that what owners call “stubborn” is often a mismatch between what the dog understands and what the human expects. Dogs trained in different disciplines show different strengths in impulse control and task performance. A dog who struggles to stop an automatic behaviour isn’t being defiant—they simply haven’t learned that skill in that context.

Even inhibitory control itself isn’t a single trait. Different tests measure different aspects of behaviour, meaning there is no universal “stubbornness” factor in dogs. What looks like refusal may actually be a dog processing information, managing impulses, or responding to environmental stressors.

Pain and Discomfort Are Commonly Mislabelled as Stubbornness

One of the biggest reasons dogs “won’t” do something is pain. And pain in dogs is often subtle.

Overweight dogs, for example, are significantly more likely to develop osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease that reduces willingness to walk or exercise. Dogs with OA walk less, move less, and show reduced activity levels—not because they’re stubborn, but because they hurt. Even small amounts of weight loss (around 6–9%) can dramatically improve gait and reduce lameness in dogs with OA.

Pain can also change behaviour long before it becomes obvious. Dogs with chronic pain show reduced mobility, reluctance to move, and changes in posture and activity patterns. Owners often report these dogs as “not wanting to walk” or “refusing to do things,” when the dog is actually trying to avoid discomfort.

Obesity itself reduces activity levels. Objective activity monitoring shows obese dogs spend less time in vigorous movement, and owners report overweight dogs as more fearful, less responsive, and less willing to walk. Again—none of this is stubbornness.

Fear, Confusion, and Poor Training Mechanics Are Also Mislabelled

A dog may “refuse” to do something because:

• They don’t understand the cue

• The task hasn’t been broken down enough

• The reward isn’t motivating for that moment

• The environment is overwhelming

• They’re mentally fatigued

• They’re unsure or anxious

Research shows that personality traits influence how dogs approach tasks. A cautious dog may pause to assess. A persistent dog may keep trying. A sensitive dog may shut down under pressure. These are temperament differences—not defiance.

Dogs also perform differently depending on context. Inhibitory control and problem‑solving vary with environment, training history, and emotional state. A dog who “won’t” do something in one setting may do it easily in another.

Why a Whole‑Dog Approach Matters

This is why I always look at the dog as a whole. Even in a training session, I’m assessing gait, posture, movement quality, and behavioural responses. And in conditioning sessions, I’m watching emotional state, confidence, and communication. You cannot separate the physical from the behavioural if you want a true picture of the dog.

This is also why the qualification I helped develop in canine physical training includes an entire module on behaviour. You cannot train a dog effectively if you ignore how they feel, how they move, and what they are physically capable of.

And no single professional can do everything. Trainers should refer to physiotherapists, vets, and behaviourists when needed. It takes a team to support a dog properly—just like you wouldn’t ask an electrician to fix your plumbing.

If Your Dog Seems “Stubborn,” Ask Better Questions

Instead of assuming your dog is being difficult, consider:

• Are they in pain?

• Are they overweight or struggling with mobility?

• Are they mentally or physically tired?

• Do they understand what you’re asking?

• Is the environment too distracting or stressful?

• Is the reward meaningful to them?

• Does the task need breaking down into smaller steps?

Dogs are always communicating. Our job is to listen.

References

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