77 | Stubborn, Fearful, or Just Misunderstood? How to Truly See Your Dog

Hey Dog Lover, We love putting labels on things—especially our dogs. She’s dominant. He’s stubborn. She’s independent. He’s needy. But here’s the thing: those labels don’t tell the whole story. They carry all of our preconceived ideas about what our dog is rather than allowing us to see their behaviour for what it truly is—just information. Behaviour isn’t a fixed personality trait; it’s a response to the environment, experiences, and emotions. It’s how your dog communicates what’s going on inside. Is your dog really “stubborn,” or do they just not understand what’s being asked? Are they actually “nervous,” or have they just learned that the world can be unpredictable? Could they be more confident and adaptable than you ever imagined? In this episode, we’re breaking down how to look past the labels and start seeing behaviour as a window into your dog’s experience. Because when you stop defining your dog by their reactions and start understanding why they behave the way they do, everything changes. And guess what? I have something exciting coming soon! I’m working on the Dogonalities Quiz —a fun and insightful way to help you better understand your dog’s unique way of interacting with the world. Stay tuned!🎉 So grab your coffee (or leash) and let’s talk about it. See you inside the episode! Comment & Share! Cheers! 🐾 Tracy Next Steps Want to keep the conversation going? Join my free Facebook group Living Beyond Obedience for real talk, support, and training tips that actually work. Need personalized help? Book a coaching call and let’s create a plan for you and your dog! 🎵 Special thanks to Shawn Trotter of shawntrotter.com for the music!