Is Your Dog Pissed at You or Just Not That Smart?

“Your Dog isn't stubborn, stupid, or holding a grudge. They're just lost in translation.” - Jt Clough

Is Your Dog Confused or Just Misunderstood?

You've tried everything. The fancy harness, the gentle leader, even that pricey training class. Yet, your dog STILL pulls on the leash like there's no tomorrow.

Sound familiar?

I bet it does.

The Blame Game

"My dog must be mad at me," you think. Or worse, "Maybe he's just not that bright."

Hold up, Sister.

Before you go blaming Fido or yourself, let's get real for a second.

It's Not You, It's Not Them - It's Lost in Translation

Here's the scoop: Your dog isn't holding a grudge from that time you skipped the park visit. And he's definitely not plotting revenge for the bargain kibble you bought last month. (Though we need to talk about that in another post!)

The truth? Your four-legged friend is picking up on a lot more than just your words.

Think about it: You're juggling a million things – work stress, family drama, that never-ending to-do list. Then you're out walking your dog, and all that built-up frustration comes bubbling out with every "No pulling!"

It's like your dog is caught in the middle of an emotional storm they don't understand.

Remember when you were a kid, and your parents were having a fight but pretending everything was fine? That confused, unsettled feeling you had?

That's exactly what your dog is experiencing.

Every time you proclaim "No pulling!", it's not just about the leash anymore.

All that pent-up stress and frustration are traveling right down that leash, leaving your pup as bewildered as you were during those tense family dinners.

Speaking Dog: It's a Whole New Language

Remember when we first got our hands on a computer?

Totally foreign, right?

Well, that's how our dogs feel when we're barking orders at them.

"Leave it!" "Heel!" "No pulling!"

To us, it's crystal clear. To them? It's like we're speaking Klingon.

How Dogs Really Think and Learn

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Brace yourselves for a mini biology lesson!

First things first: Stop hollering "STOP PULLING!" at your dog.

I know, I know, it seems counterintuitive. But hear me out.

You've probably said "stop pulling" more times than you've said your own name by now. And guess what?

Your dog has become an expert at exactly what you've been naming: pulling!

Here's the kicker: Dogs don't logic the way we do. They have a tiny prefrontal cortex – that's the part of the brain we humans use for reasoning.

Let me break it down for you:

If I suddenly said to you, "Stop it!" without context, your brain would immediately start trying to figure out what I want you to stop doing. That's your prefrontal cortex in action.

Your dog? They don't do that. At all.

Instead, they think in pictures. When you name a picture over and over again, that's what it becomes. Simple as that.

Let's say you have a dog named Lucy. Every time she jumps up on you, you say, "Lucy, get down!"

She's done this hundreds of times now. In Lucy's mind, "Lucy, get down!" means "jump up on human." You've named it, and she's mastered it!

Lucy has no idea how to access her prefrontal cortex and figure out that what you actually meant was, "Please sit when you approach me or others like a good dog should!"

So, no, your dog's not dumb.

You just haven't known how they think and learn. It's like trying to teach your grandkids how to use a rotary phone – there's a bit of a disconnect!

The Harness Hype

And let's talk about that miracle harness you bought.

Sorry to break it to you, but strapping your pup into that is like giving a race car driver a comfier seat. It doesn't slow them down; it just makes the ride smoother!

New Tech for Old Dogs (and Us!)

Now, I know what you're thinking. "I've tried everything!"

But have you really?

Remember when we thought cell phones were just for emergencies? Look at us now, FaceTiming the grandkids!

The same goes for dog training. There's new technology out there that can help you communicate with your dog in a way they actually understand.

It's Time for a Change

Ladies, we've navigated everything from 8-tracks to iPods. We've mastered social media and conquered Zoom calls.

If we can do all that, we can certainly figure out how to walk our dogs without feeling like we're in a tug-of-war championship.

Decode Your Dog's Confusion

Ready to stop the guessing game and start understanding what your dog really needs?

It's time to get on the same wavelength as your furry best friend.

Take the first step towards peaceful walks and better communication with your pup.

Click below to take the Dog Harmony Assessment.

It's your ticket to decoding your dog's behavior and finding the training approach that works for both of you.

Decode Your Dog's Confusion