Article by Steve Wood

Stubborn dog training is not nearly as easy as training a normal dog but it can be done, and knowing how makes a giant difference. Let me start this article by identifying some of the breeds that tend to create stubborn dogs. When buying a dog, this might help you make a better decision.

Afghan hound – Airedale Terrier – Akita – Alaskan Malamute – Alaskan Husky – American Pit Bull – American Staffordshire Terrier -Belgian Shepherd – Bernese Mountain Dog – Bloodhound – Border Collie – Borzoi – Bull Terrier – Chinese Shar-Pei – Chow Chow -Doberman – German Shepherd – Giant Schnauzer – Great Dane – Greyhound – Irish Wolfhound – Mastiff – Rhodesian Ridgeback -Rottweiler – Saluki – Siberian Husky – Weimaraner – Setters

Stubborn dogs are not found in the sporting dogs as frequently as they are found in the hound and terrier groups. I think about a dog that is very stubborn until they tree or pursue the game to the end when I think about hounds. Many people in my area, who have deer dogs, on occasion have to hang on until season is over to find their dogs.

This is not to say these dogs can not be trained at all but rather to say it will take patience, knowledge, and confidence on the trainer’s part to be unbeaten. These breeds need companionship and they are not well suited for living in kennels. Many people are taking on the challenge of dog training today because economic conditions has made professional training fees more of a luxury than a necessity. If you make your mind up to train your own dog, you will need a good book or two to learn the valuable secrets that will save you hours of frustration.

Dog training can be apt to become a struggle between the trainer and the dog. When you understand that dogs have a “pack nature” that creates a “dominate nature” it makes it easy to understand the struggle. This means they had rather lead than follow! If you have had children you may understand this concept.

Here are some tips when working with a stubborn dog…

1- Use a firm voice but be cautious not to scream and lose your cool. You must be consistant when working with your dog because like children, they will pick up on inconsistance with no trouble. This creates confusion in their mind. Just imagine if you were the dog and one time you get scolded for doing something wrong and the next time you get a pat on the head. Also be very meticulous to correct your dog when the problem occurs. Dogs do not identify with delayed punishment.

2- Body language is also important because you want to look confident to your dog and always look them in the eyes. This is somewhat of a domination technuqie. Always look at the dog when correcting and when praising.

3- One great techneque is to use some type of noise maker when your dog is not obeying. These items are trouble-free to make by taking a plastic bottle and dropping a few small rocks in it. If you need to correct the dog by stricking them with an object that does not hurt, but makes a loud noise, use a large plastic baseball bat. If you need a louder sound, buy a bat with a larger end. You can also drop a few small pebbles in the end of the bat for added sound.

4- Using a pinch collar to train your dog to heel, sit, and stay is the fastest easiest method there is. I can train most dogs with this method within one week. It works great and this is the first step in training. This method can be found in eBooks.

Training your own dog will be one of the most gratifying things you will ever do. You will enjoy showing your dog’s obedience to all of your friends. The sooner you get started the sooner you will achieve success.