- Sep 7, 2025
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We’ve all been there, you give a command your dog knows cold, and they stare back at you like they’ve never heard it before. Or worse, they do the exact opposite of what you asked.
It’s easy to label that as “stubborn,” but in reality, that word almost never applies to dogs, especially German Shepherds.
So if it’s not stubbornness… what’s actually going on?
German Shepherds are smart, sometimes too smart for their own good, but they still need crystal-clear communication.
If your dog “disobeys,” it usually means they don’t fully understand what’s being asked in that specific context. Dogs don’t generalize well (as @murph has talked about here).
They might know “sit” in your kitchen but not in the driveway with kids screaming nearby. That’s not stubbornness, that’s lack of clarity.
Fix: Go back one step. Simplify the picture. Reinforce success, then slowly reintroduce distractions.
Shepherds are sensitive and highly alert. They absorb everything, motion, smells, tone, even your heartbeat.
If the environment is charged or overwhelming, their ability to think takes a back seat to instinct. They’re not ignoring you, their nervous system is just overloaded.
Fix: Train below threshold. Find their calm focus zone and build up gradually. Confidence comes from small wins, not constant corrections.
Dogs mirror energy, especially shepherds. If we’re tense, impatient, or frustrated, they pick it up instantly.
Sometimes what looks like disobedience is just uncertainty caused by the handler’s mood.
Fix: Take a breath. Reset your tone. Approach the next rep like it’s a fresh start. Consistency and calm always win long-term.
Training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some dogs work for food, others for play, praise, or the chance to do something (like chase or tug).
If the reward doesn’t match the drive, the motivation fades. It’s not stubborn, it’s just mismatched priorities.
Fix: Test what truly lights your dog up. Use that as your primary reinforcer, then phase it into real-world reliability.
Repetition creates obedience, but engagement builds understanding.
A shepherd that trains mechanically may follow commands, but a dog that understands the “why” follows with purpose.
Fix: Add problem-solving into your sessions, scent searches, shaping games, or short drills that make your dog think.
What’s a behavior your shepherd struggles with that you first thought was defiance, but later realized was confusion or over-stimulation? Drop your story below, it might help the next person reading this.
It’s easy to label that as “stubborn,” but in reality, that word almost never applies to dogs, especially German Shepherds.
So if it’s not stubbornness… what’s actually going on?
They’re Confused, Not Defiant
German Shepherds are smart, sometimes too smart for their own good, but they still need crystal-clear communication.If your dog “disobeys,” it usually means they don’t fully understand what’s being asked in that specific context. Dogs don’t generalize well (as @murph has talked about here).
They might know “sit” in your kitchen but not in the driveway with kids screaming nearby. That’s not stubbornness, that’s lack of clarity.
Fix: Go back one step. Simplify the picture. Reinforce success, then slowly reintroduce distractions.
The Environment Is Too Stimulating
Shepherds are sensitive and highly alert. They absorb everything, motion, smells, tone, even your heartbeat.If the environment is charged or overwhelming, their ability to think takes a back seat to instinct. They’re not ignoring you, their nervous system is just overloaded.
Fix: Train below threshold. Find their calm focus zone and build up gradually. Confidence comes from small wins, not constant corrections.
They Feel Your Frustration
Dogs mirror energy, especially shepherds. If we’re tense, impatient, or frustrated, they pick it up instantly.Sometimes what looks like disobedience is just uncertainty caused by the handler’s mood.
Fix: Take a breath. Reset your tone. Approach the next rep like it’s a fresh start. Consistency and calm always win long-term.
Motivation Matters
Training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some dogs work for food, others for play, praise, or the chance to do something (like chase or tug).If the reward doesn’t match the drive, the motivation fades. It’s not stubborn, it’s just mismatched priorities.
Fix: Test what truly lights your dog up. Use that as your primary reinforcer, then phase it into real-world reliability.
You’re Training the Behavior, Not the Mind
Repetition creates obedience, but engagement builds understanding.A shepherd that trains mechanically may follow commands, but a dog that understands the “why” follows with purpose.
Fix: Add problem-solving into your sessions, scent searches, shaping games, or short drills that make your dog think.
Reminder
If your dog seems stubborn, take it as feedback, not failure. Step back, simplify, and focus on clarity and calm. You’ll be surprised how quickly “stubborn” turns into cooperative.What’s a behavior your shepherd struggles with that you first thought was defiance, but later realized was confusion or over-stimulation? Drop your story below, it might help the next person reading this.
