How can I train my stubborn Terrier?

How can I train my stubborn Terrier?

Terriers are often labelled as stubborn. So what do we actually mean by stubborn and can it even apply to dogs at all?

“having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so.”

So in many ways stubborn isn’t a bad word to apply to our Terriers, training them can certainly feel they are that’s for sure. The reality is however that dog’s aren’t really capable of being stubborn, because they really only do things when they have a good reason to do things and if they are refusing to do something it’s usually because their reason is better than than yours as far as they are concerned.

It’s important to remember that dog have no real reason to stick to our schedule or needs unless we actually do make it worth their while. It may sound like I’m painting the picture that you somehow need to be a slave to your Terrier in order to get them to do anything, or you could actually just forget them doing anything you want and form here on in it’s all about them….well it doesn’t have to be this way. So here are my top ways to work through your Terriers stubborn tendencies.

Provide some safe freedom

 One of the bigger narratives that runs through social media when it comes to dog training is to restrict all of your dogs freedoms until they learn to listen to you and then they can by rights earn their freedom back. Now this can make a lot of sense for some types of dogs. The ones who are bred genetically to look to you for direction, those dogs actually crave direction and can often have more behaviour problems when they aren’t given it.

Our Terriers however are bred for independence and if you restrict it too much they are then going to step up to the other thing they are red for which is conflict and you will simply end up butting heads with them. In almost all circumstances if you constantly put yourself in conflict with your Terrier, not only will they happily step up and find it a fun way to entertain themselves it will also set you up as the point of opposition in their lives not the cooperation you are ultimately looking for.

So nows the time to lift as many of the restrictions as you can BUT at the same time keeping everyone safe. The easiest way to do this is to use environments that you can relax in, avoid triggers and use tools like long lines to take some of that immediate pressure off and let your Terrier just be for a while.

Build some motivation and relationship 

 Once you’ve reduced as much of the conflict between you and your Terrier that you can without compromising safety, it’s then up to you to start rebuilding that relationship form the ground up. Start with minimal rules, just have fun with your Terrier. Tap in to what they like doing the most and start to become the provider and gateway to that thing. Are they lit up by food? Do they absolutely die over a game of tug? Is going on long adventures their love language? Take the time to work it out and have fun. Think of it a bit like dating, because having a happy life with a Terrier is much more like a relationship with another human than the traditional obedient dog.

Take some time here. Once your Terrier is on side you can then start to think about adding back in some of the rules.

Decide on the important rules and stick to them

Once you have a more relaxed dog that you aren’t constantly butting heads with and is starting to see you as someone who can provide them with some positive outcomes, a partner more than a dictator if you will. It’s time to start bringing in some more training for the skills that you want your terrier to have. Think loose lead, recall and not being a public menace. Now you have the motivation to ask for something in return. Teach the new skills you need and stick strictly to the important boundaries with consistency and you’ll be in a much better place overall.