What is the best method for training a very stubborn dog? I am about to go to obedience school for us both!?
This dog is a Welsh Corgi and also has separation anxiety.
Food. Dogs are prey animals, and are motivated by food and praise. A second dog would ease the separation issue, as well as more exercise. The more you walk and play with your dog, the more he will want to just lay by your feet. We have labs. They bounce off the walls until they are 8 months old then settle into a pattern of walk, play then sleep.
I also had to take myself and my dog to obedience training. The key is consistency, and to let the dog know that you are ALPHA, and you are in charge. Sometimes a stubborn dog is telling you that you are not in charge, you are merely the servant. I had lots to learn. This dog also had separation anxiety. He had been in over 6 homes and was only 6 months old. He needed love, attention, exercise and lots of discipline. It helped to have lots of toys and things for him to play with when I left. I also gave him special toys when I was going out, that he only got when I went out. I had frozen butcher bones, bones stuffed with bones and peanut butter to keep him occupied for a while, etc.
odedience school for your dog is a good idea it helps alot.
Obedience school is probably a good idea, especially since the dog seems to have a psychological issue. Training dogs from a how-to manual seems easy but it isn’t.
Most of us don’t understand dog behavior and body language well enough to be good trainers. Most of us also don’t have enough patience or consistency in the way we work with the dog to be very successful.
For things the dog likes to do anyway (chasing a stick, coming to be petted or fed, etc. It is pretty easy but for real obedience, stay, sit heel, don’t chase cars, etc. It is much tougher. Get some experienced help. It’s worth the cost.