You’ve done it all. You’ve watched every video, read every article and tip, and tried your hardest to “do training right.” And yet, your dog still pulls on the leash, ignores your cues, and engages in the same unwanted behaviors over and over.
It’s happened to all of us.
We invest time into our dogs. We pour our hearts into them. But when we’re stuck in a rut—wondering Why Training Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It)—it can be disheartening.Dog training doesn’t always come naturally. Understanding why it’s not working is the key to finding a solution that works for both you and your pup.
The Biggest Myth: “My Dog Should Know Better”
Before anything else, it’s important to dispel the belief that dogs know when they are being “bad.”
When dogs exhibit unwanted behaviors, we love to justify it with stories we make up in our heads about what they could be thinking:
“That smile in his eye right before he chewed up my shoes? He knew.”
“When she pees on the carpet, she’s doing it to spite me.”
“She cried and dug up my whole yard just because she can.”
Think of it this way: if your dog was mad at you for giving them away, would they hide in their new owner’s closet for three days straight until you finally came to pick them up? Probably not.
Dogs repeat behaviors that work for them. They don’t think in terms of right and wrong.
Common issues in dog training stem from knowledge gaps or unmet needs—not willful defiance. Once you understand this, you can fix almost any training problem.
Reason #1: You Aren’t Practicing in Multiple Locations
Context matters. A dog who reliably “kennels” at your mom’s house may completely ignore you when you say the word at home. This isn’t bad behavior—it’s context confusion.
Dogs do not automatically generalize behaviors like we do. Just because your dog listens to you inside doesn’t mean they understand that you expect the same obedience outside.
Reason #2: Your Reward Isn’t High Enough
Rewards aren’t created equal.
Many people use the same boring treats or praise for every command, regardless of how hard the dog has to work to ignore distractions. But your dog’s motivation to earn rewards changes based on what’s happening around them.
If your dog couldn’t care less about hearing “good dog” while someone is walking past your window, it’s not that they don’t understand what “good dog” means. It simply doesn’t motivate them enough to listen.
Reason #3: Your Timing Is Off
If you’re not marking the behavior in the moment, your dog has no idea what they’re doing right—or wrong.
All dogs learn through cause and effect. If your timing is off by even a few seconds, you may be accidentally rewarding the wrong behavior.
Want to know why your dog won’t “heel”? It’s likely because you haven’t taught them what to do with their other paw.
Do you think your dog knows how to sit because you say it over and over until they do?
How many times have you told your dog to “come,” only to lose your temper when they don’t respond instantly?
These aren’t willful choices. Your dog simply doesn’t know any better because the timing isn’t clear.
Reason #4: You’re Teaching the Wrong Way
Tell me if this sounds familiar:
You say “sit” about twenty times over the course of fifteen minutes before your dog eventually caves and sits.
Once they sit, you praise them tirelessly:
“Good dog! Fantastic sit! You’re the best dog who ever sat in someone’s living room!”
Sound excessive? It is. But this is how most people accidentally teach their dogs new behaviors.
Repetition exhausts your dog’s attention, and diluted praise conditions dogs to ignore you.
Reason #5: You’re Ignoring Your Dog’s Emotional State
Whether your dog is fearful, overly excited, stressed, or angry, they cannot learn from you until they calm down.
Simply put: emotions trump obedience every time.
Behaviors like barking, jumping, lunging, and shutting down are communication tools your dog uses when they’re overstimulated. When your dog is in this state, training isn’t failing—your dog is overwhelmed.
Reason #6: You Think You’re Being Consistent… but You’re Not
Think you’ve mastered this one? Think again.
Dogs are far more detail-oriented than we give them credit for. Here are some inconsistencies you may not even realize you’re creating:
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Sometimes you allow your dog to jump, but not other times
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You use six different words that all mean “look at me”
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You pet your dog when they jump on guests—sometimes
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Different people in your house have different rules
To your dog, the rules are constantly changing.
Reason #7: You’re Too Focused on Stopping Bad Behavior
Picture this:
Your dog jumps on guests. You say “off!” and push their feet away. Did they learn what “off” means?
No.
Your dog has learned that they can jump until someone physically intervenes.
Positive training teaches your dog new behaviors to replace the ones you don’t want.
Reason #8: You Have Unrealistic Expectations
Training is a process.
Puppies are not tiny adult dogs who magically know how to behave.
Rescue dogs don’t forget all their life stress overnight just because you bought them a cute sweater.
Many people give up on training because expectations are too high and instant results aren’t met.
Reason #9: You’re Neglecting Your Dog’s Energy and Mental Needs
Dog training doesn’t magically fix unmet energy or mental stimulation needs.
If your dog has excess energy, is bored, or is anxious, they will struggle to focus on learning anything new.
Is your dog constantly staring at you with anxious eyes? Needing to go potty every hour? Reactive when greeted?
It might be time to evaluate whether your dog’s body and mind are fully satisfied.
Reason #10: You’re Turning It into a Power Struggle
Sound familiar?
You: “COME!”
Dog: Runs in the opposite direction
You: “HERE! BAD DOG!”
Dog: Confused and stressed
We’ve all been there. When training reaches this point, it’s no longer about learning—it’s a power struggle.
This doesn’t fix anything. It only leads to frustration on both sides.
Sometimes, taking a step back is the best move.
Why Training Stops Progressing (& Why That’s Okay)
There will be times when your dog is excelling and learning new skills rapidly—and then suddenly, everything stalls.
Do not despair.
Progress often looks like this:
Improvement
Plateau
Pullback
Breakthrough
Learning is not linear.
If your dog hits a plateau, don’t quit. Dig deeper.
Here’s how to reset your training:
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Go back to basics
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Reduce distractions
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Increase rewards
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Shorten sessions
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Help your dog succeed
When Should You Consult a Professional?
Some training issues are outside your skill set—and that’s okay.
Consult a professional if:
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There are signs of aggression or fear
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Anxiety is severe
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You’ve tried everything
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You feel stuck and overwhelmed
Final Thoughts
Dog training is hard.
If you’ve ever wondered Why Training Isn’t Working (& How to Fix It), you’re already asking the right questions. Training can be frustrating, but it is not impossible.
Don’t give up.
By learning what doesn’t work for you and your dog, you’ll discover what does.
Understanding your dog’s language is the first step to speaking theirs.
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