Stubborn puppy training: 7 tips to teach your disobedient dog

Working with a stubborn puppy that doesn’t seem to want to listen to you can be frustrating.

Sometimes it feels like a disobedient puppy is testing your patience.

But with some work, you can train your dog to behave and prevent bad habits.

 So, try this helpful advice if you struggle to teach your stubborn puppy to behave.

Consistent training

One of the most important things to remember when working with any stubborn puppy is that consistent training is critical.

Be consistent with commands and expectations, and ensure everyone in the household follows the same rules.

This can be challenging if you have children or other pets, but it’s essential to set clear boundaries from the start. If your puppy knows they can get away with certain behaviors sometimes, they’ll continue to test the limits. 

If you need additional tools to help train your pup, you can find more info from HaloCollar. Additionally, you can try their new dog training collar to see if it will help.

Training collars help dogs understand when they are doing something wrong by emitting a sound or vibration.

Keep training sessions short; 15 minutes or less is best. And mix training sessions with playtime to keep your puppy from getting frustrated or bored.

Positive reinforcement

It’s also essential to use positive reinforcement when training your puppy.

Dogs respond better to rewards than punishment, so focus on rewarding good behavior rather than scolding them for bad behavior. This could include treats, petting, and verbal praise.

Avoid physical punishment, which can worsen the problem and damage your relationship with your pup. Never hit your dog.

For example, if your puppy jumps on you, don’t push them away or yell at them. Instead, turn your back and ignore them until they calm down. Once they’re calm, you can give them a treat or some praise.

Practice walking

Another issue many puppies have is pulling on the leash while being walked.

This can be frustrating and even dangerous, so it’s essential to nip this behavior in the bud. Start teaching your puppy to walk calmly by your side using a leash.

Practice in your yard or house first, and then take them for short walks around the block. If they start to pull, stop walking and make them sit until they calm down.

Once they’re calm, you can start walking again.

With time and patience, your puppy will learn that they need to walk calmly next to you.

Choose the right leash

The type of leash you use can also impact your puppy’s behavior.

For example, if you use a retractable leash, they may think it’s OK to wander off and explore. This can be dangerous, as they could get lost or hurt.

Instead, use a standard leash attached to your belt loop or waistband. This will give them less freedom to roam and will help you keep them close by. 

Also, consider using a leash with a harness rather than attaching a leash to your puppy’s collar. Using a harness reduces the risk you’ll choke your puppy and cause pain.

Exercise, exercise, exercise

Many puppies are hyperactive and energetic, leading to disobedience and bad behavior. To help calm them down, ensure they get plenty of exercise daily.

An excellent way to do this is to take them for a walk or run in the morning and evening. You can also play fetch or other games in your yard.

If they get plenty of exercise, they’ll be less likely to act out and misbehave.

Obedience training

One of the best ways to train your puppy is through obedience training. This training will teach your dog to follow commands such as sit, stay, come, and down.

It’s essential to start with basic commands and move on to more difficult ones. You can find obedience training classes at your local pet store or online.

These classes will help you learn how to train your puppy effectively and allow you to socialize them with other dogs.

Training camp

If you’re struggling to train your puppy, you might consider sending them to a training camp.

This is an intensive type of training that will teach your stubborn puppy everything they need to know.

It’s an excellent option for those who don’t have the time or patience to train a puppy.

Training camps can be expensive, but they’re worth it if you’re having trouble working with a disobedient puppy.

Understand the importance of training treats

When working with a stubborn puppy, it’s important to remember that treats can be your best friend. Dogs are food-motivated, so using treats is a great way to get them to listen to you.

Use high-value treats occasionally. You don’t want your pup to become reliant on the treats. Instead, use treats to reward good dog behaviors or progress in training.

This will help keep your pup motivated and encourage them to continue learning.

For successful stubborn puppy training, be sure to use treats your pup will find irresistible! Only give them during training sessions for best results.

Be patient

It’s vital to remember that puppies are still learning and growing. They make mistakes and continue to test the limits as they try to understand what you expect. 

It’s essential to be patient when training a stubborn dog.

With time and patience, you can teach your puppy how to behave the way you want.

And soon enough, you’ll enjoy spending time with a well-behaved puppy.

Final thoughts on training your stubborn puppy

As you can see, there are several things you can do to train your stubborn puppy.

Be patient and consistent with your training, as this is the best way to get your pup to behave.

With time and effort, you’ll be able to teach your stubborn puppy everything they need to know.

In the meantime, consider using tools like dog training collars or obedience training classes.

You need consistent rules and expectations, and everyone in the household needs to follow them.