In this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, Lorrie Reynolds tackles a question many dog owners and agility handlers ask: Is my dog being stubborn?

When a dog refuses a cue, ignores a behavior they “know,” or suddenly stops performing a skill, it’s easy to assume stubbornness is the problem. But in most cases, something else is actually going on.

This episode explores the real reasons dogs appear stubborn and how understanding those reasons can dramatically improve your training.

stubborn dog behavior, dog training problems, why dogs ignore cues, dog agility training challenges, positive reinforcement dog training

• Why dogs are unlikely to be intentionally stubborn
• How physical discomfort can cause dogs to refuse behaviors
• Why fear or environmental stress can affect performance
• How lack of generalization can make trained behaviors fall apart in new locations
• Why reward value and motivation play a critical role in training success
• How inconsistent cues can create confusion for your dog
• Why instinct can overpower training in some situations

When dogs refuse to perform behaviors they previously learned, many owners assume the dog is simply being stubborn. However, this explanation often overlooks important factors that influence canine behavior.

In this episode, Lorrie explains why dogs rarely make conscious decisions to ignore cues. Instead, behaviors that appear stubborn usually have underlying causes.

Physical discomfort is one of the most important possibilities to consider. A dog that suddenly stops performing a familiar behavior may be experiencing pain that isn’t obvious during everyday activities.

Fear and environmental stress can also affect performance. A negative experience associated with a specific obstacle or location may cause hesitation that looks like refusal or stubbornness.

Another common issue is lack of generalization. Dogs often learn behaviors in very specific contexts, and they may not immediately understand that the same cue applies in different environments, on different equipment, or under new distractions.

Reward value also plays a role. Dogs naturally weigh effort against reward, and behaviors that require high effort may need more valuable rewards to maintain motivation.

By examining these possibilities instead of assuming stubbornness, handlers can identify the real issue and help their dogs succeed.

• generalization in dog training
• reward value and motivation
• instinct versus trained behavior
• consistent cueing in dog training
• using positive reinforcement methods

Dogs that appear stubborn are usually responding to physical discomfort, fear, confusion, lack of experience, or insufficient motivation. By identifying the real cause of the behavior, handlers can address the issue and help their dogs perform with greater confidence.

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The membership includes structured training exercises designed to help agility teams develop independence, clarity of cues, and stronger connection on course.

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Episode 005 – Five Mistakes You’re Making With Your Dog Agility Training
Episode 007 – What Are Screw-Up Cookies?
Episode 011 – Lower Your Training Criteria When Teaching New Skills

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