Why Your Dog Isn’t Being Stubborn (They’re Just Confused)

When it comes to dog training, one of the biggest mistakes we see owners make is moving too fast. You teach your dog to “sit” in the living room a few times, and suddenly you expect them to do it in the front yard, at the park, or when the neighbor’s dog walks by.

When they don’t listen, it feels like they’re being stubborn or defiant. But here’s the truth: most of the time, it’s not stubbornness. It’s confusion.

A dog’s ability to understand and perform a command depends entirely on how thoroughly you teach it. That means lots of clear repetitions and something we call proofing, which is showing your dog how to do the skill anywhere, anytime, no matter what distractions are around.

What Are Repetitions?

Repetitions are exactly what they sound like: repeating a skill over and over again until your dog truly understands what you’re asking.

Think of it like practicing a sport or learning an instrument. Nobody picks up a guitar and plays a song perfectly the first time. You practice the same chords hundreds of times until they become second nature.

It’s the same for your dog. The more times they practice a command correctly, the more automatic it becomes. Repetition builds confidence, consistency, and clear communication between you and your dog.

What Is Proofing?

Once your dog understands a command in a quiet, easy environment, the next step is proofing. We do this by teaching that same behavior in new and more challenging situations.

You might start inside your house, then move to the backyard, then to the front yard, then to the park. Each new environment adds distractions that your dog must learn to tune out while still following your command.

Proofing is where your dog learns that “sit” means “sit” no matter where you are, who’s around, or what’s happening. Without this step, most dogs fall apart the moment life gets a little exciting or unpredictable.

Why This Matters

Skipping repetitions or proofing is one of the fastest ways to create frustration for both you and your dog. You start to think they’re ignoring you on purpose when really, they just haven’t had enough consistent practice in different settings to truly understand.

When you slow down, repeat often, and build distractions gradually, you’ll see your dog’s reliability skyrocket. Suddenly, “sit” works in the kitchen, in the driveway, and even when a squirrel runs by.

How to Apply This at Home

Here’s a simple plan to help you build reliability and confidence in your dog’s training:

1. Start small. Teach or review the command in the quietest room of your house.

2. Repeat often. Aim for short, focused sessions a few times a day.

3. Add movement. Once your dog succeeds inside, add light distractions like walking around or turning your back.

4. Change the environment. Move outside, one step at a time. Try the backyard first, then front yard, then walkways or public areas.

5. Stay patient. If your dog fails in a new setting, go back a step. Rebuild clarity before adding more challenge.

The Bottom Line

Your dog isn’t trying to give you a hard time. They’re trying to figure out what you want.

Training takes time, repetition, and proofing to build real understanding. Once you slow down and teach your dog how to win, you’ll see just how capable they really are.

Consistency creates clarity. And clarity builds confidence for both ends of the leash.