Is Your Dog Being “Naughty”… Or Just Unclear?

By Tarah Spyve
2 min read

One of the most common things I hear as a dog trainer is:

“He knows it… he just won’t do it.”

But dogs don’t ignore us out of spite. They repeat what works.

If pulling on the lead gets them forward — it works.
If ignoring recall means more playtime — it works.
If jumping gets attention — it works.

From your dog’s perspective, they’re making logical choices.

The issue usually isn’t stubbornness.
It’s clarity, consistency, and practice.

Knowing a Cue Isn’t the Same as Understanding It Everywhere

Your dog might “sit” perfectly in the lounge.
But ask for that same behaviour at the park or around other dogs and it falls apart.

That doesn’t mean they’re being naughty.

Dogs don’t automatically generalise. Just because they can perform a behaviour at home doesn’t mean they understand it in new environments with distractions.

This is where structured dog training makes the difference.

Whether you're working on recall training, loose-lead walking, or calm behaviour around visitors, skills need to be layered gradually in real-life settings.

The Biggest Reason Training Stalls

Inconsistency.

Life gets busy. We practise for a few days, see improvement, then relax. Old habits sneak back in because they’re easier for the dog.

Progress doesn’t require hour-long sessions.

It requires:
• Short, focused practice
• Clear expectations
• Repetition in different environments
• Making the right choice easier than the wrong one

Five intentional minutes a day can create huge change — when you know what to work on.

Why Structure Matters

Many owners want to train but feel stuck:

  • What should I focus on first?
  • How do I progress it?
  • When do I add distractions?
  • What do I do when it falls apart?

Without a plan, training feels random — and random training leads to random results.

That’s why I’m such a big believer in structured online dog training. When you have step-by-step guidance, you build skills in the right order and avoid overwhelming both yourself and your dog.

You Don’t Have To Do It Alone

Our Online Training Community is designed for real-life dog owners.

You get:
• Clear weekly direction
• Practical exercises you can use immediately
• Ongoing support
• Training that fits around your schedule

Regardless of where you live, this is dog training that works in your home, your backyard, and your local park.

Training isn’t about control.
It’s about communication.

And when communication improves, everything gets easier.

And always remember - you will never regret investing in training your dog! 😊