What is the hardest dog to train
Top 15 Hardest Dog Breeds to Train (Based On Studies)
Every dog is an individual. Personal history combined with physical capabilities partially determine training ability, but studies1 have shown that breed also plays a role. Its important to note that some dog breeds have behavioral issues that can make training a little more difficult, although it is possible. Interestingly enough, some of these issues may contradict themselves. For example, the easygoing nature of the Bulldog and the enthusiastic energy of the Australian Shepherd both result in harder trainability. However, as canine trainers will tell you, almost every dog is trainable with patience, persistence, and positive reinforcement. Here are 15 dogs in alphabetical order who like to think theyre the alpha dog and may be harder to train as a result.
The 15 Hardest Dog Breeds to Train
1. Afghan Hound
With its elegant snout and sleek long hair, the Afghan Hound appears like it recently emerged from the beauty parlor on a daily basis. Whether or not its aware of its dazzling appearance is up for debate, but the dog certainly acts like a beauty queen. You might have a hard time training this dog because they act a little aloof, although theyre certainly not hardhearted. An Afghan Hound will loyally stay by your side, even if they dont always do what you say.
2. Australian Cattle Dog
This working dog rounds up high energy and high intelligence into one muscular package that can easily become destructive if they dont have a job. Hailing from Australia where it herded sheep, the cattle dog isnt made for lounging around indoors. Youll likely need to engage this dog in robust daily exercise and early training to produce the results you desire. Given its strong herding instinct, the Australian Cattle Dog is also known to nip at heels unless theyre trained not to.
3. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is considered one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. And yet, training isnt always an easy task since theyre full of energy. Try to start with small, frequent training sessions to keep this pup engaged.
4. Basenji
Although this dog breed has been around since ancient times, its unlikely that youll find a Basenji on every block. Theyre a relatively rare breed that yodels instead of barks. Basenjis tend to be highly intelligent and mischievous, so youll need to set boundaries while theyre young to curtail any negative behaviors. As with any breed, a bored Basenji is more likely to become a barker or destructive dog, so make sure theyre receiving enough exercise in the day to tire them out.
5. Basset Hound
The epitome of laziness, the Basset Hound might not do anything you tell them to do unless its their idea, such as chasing a squirrel in your neighbors yard. Thankfully, theyre easily motivated by food. Just be sure to use small training treats during your sessions with them because they have a heightened risk of becoming obese.
6. Beagle
A skilled hunting dog, the Beagle has a predisposition for barking and chasing if theyre not trained. Daily exercise outdoors can help them healthily hone their hunting instincts, so that theyre chasing squirrels during playtime instead of barking at them incessantly from the couch.
7. Borzoi
Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi possesses a strong instinct for hunting small prey. Theyll dart off in an instant if allowed to roam off-leash, so always walk them tethered to a harness. Start with short sessions and dont forget the treats for when theyve done well.
8. Bulldog
Like the Basset Hound, Bulldogs like nothing better than to chill on the sofa. Thats all and well, until its time to learn some new tricks. Patience and persistence are the keys to success, especially with this low-energy breed.
9. Bullmastiff
Although you probably wont catch them sneaking out to run laps around your yard, the Bullmastiff can be challenging to train due to their independent nature. Originally bred to protect estates in Victorian England, theyre natural guard dogs and may be aggressive towards unfamiliar people if not trained properly. Interestingly enough, the Bullmastiff is a cross between the Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog, a breed thats now extinct but is the ancestor of the Bulldog.
10. Chihuahua
Anyone whos ever owned a Chihuahua knows that they have a mind of their own. As the worlds smallest dog breed, theyre also one of the most aggressive. They arent afraid to let everyone know that theyre in chargewhich is an attitude youll have to alter early if you want them properly trained.
11. Chinese Shar-pei
An established breed that has acted as a hunter, guardian, and herder in China since ancient times, the Chinese Shar-pei has a variety of notable job skills. However, as a pet, their high intelligence and independent nature can make them difficult to train.
12. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is certainly not the friendliest dog towards children and may even nip if provoked. Like the Shar-pei, the Chow Chow has been bred for centuries in China where they first earned their reputation as a royal, dignified dog who tends to bond closely with one human. Thankfully theyre easy to potty-train and are actually considered one of the cleanest dog breeds.
13. Husky
Although they were originally developed as working dogs to pull a sled, Siberian Huskies are notoriously hard to train due to a trifecta of high energy, intelligence, and a high prey drive. Youll need to begin obedience training early, along with plenty of daily exercise, for this dog to succeed in its role as a pet.
14. Rottweiler
Although theyre one of the most intelligent breeds, Rottweilers can be a bit stubborn and aloof. Early training is crucial, especially since theyre bigger dogs who can pull you on a leash.
15. St. Bernard
This giant-loving breed is great with children and highly intelligent but can be very independent. Training early should help learn to obey commands. Otherwise, they dont have any serious behavioral problems. St. Bernards tend to be gentle and fairly laid back.
Final Thoughts
Although some breeds are considered generally harder to train than others, each dog poses its own strengths and challenges when it comes to learning. Always train your puppy as soon as possible to curtail any undesirable behaviors while theyre young. Remember, barking and running are vital dog characteristics and arent intrinsically bad. Making sure your dog has a healthy outlet for these behaviors, such as daily exercise outdoors, can help prevent them from becoming destructive or excessively vocal.
Featured Image Credit: Madeeva_11, Shutterstock
Hardest Dogs To Train: What Are The Top 10 Most Difficult Breeds?
Many people have rewarding relationships with their dogs even if they arent easy. Whether the dogs are working partners on the farm or in the field, a home guardian, or a beloved childs best friend, the bond between human and dog is like no other. If youre new to dog ownership, friends and family have likely recommended one breed or the other to you because they are easy to train or great for your particular situation.
The situation may present itself when youre working with a breed known for its sensitivity or stubbornness. Perhaps a rescue has captured your heart, and although hes a breed notoriously difficult to train, you feel like youre ready for the challenge. Begin your journey by investigating what specific traits of the breed in question make him a challenge and learn to work with them. When labeling a dog trainable, we should consider not just intelligence but biddability, the desire to perform for his person. Sometimes, just like instinct can override training, intelligence without biddability makes a dog more challenging.
Regardless of how difficult it is to train your dog, you should teach him the basics in case he ever needs to be rehomed. Some forms of training are universal for house pets. If a dog lives in your house, youll need to potty train him. Most experts recommend crate training your pup to provide him a place safe from harm and keep him out of trouble. Leash train any dog you own so you can safely take him to the vet. For better or worse, your dogs response to basic obedience commands can mean the difference between life and death.
Most Difficult Breeds To Train
Saint Bernard
If a dog has to go out in avalanche conditions and seek out troubled travelers, he has to be able to work alone and have some determination. Saint Bernards were search-and-rescue dogs for a monastery in an alpine pass at 8,000 feet elevation. Beginning in the 1700s, monks began using Saint Bernards to locate lost travelers in this treacherous pass, also known as the White Death, that remained snowed in for much of the year.
Behavior that may not be an issue with a small dog is unacceptable when there are upwards of a hundred and fifty pounds behind it. Training a Saint starts in early puppyhood. Praise and reprimand must come immediately upon the behavior in question, so your Saint Bernard understands what you expect of him. Much of training a Saint Bernard is consistently reinforcing behaviors that are acceptable when hes full size.
Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are scent hounds. Hunting enthusiasts bred scent hounds to use their sensitive noses to track prey. When the dogs left the hunters sight, they still had to focus on their job and continue tracking. The most effective Bassets were selected as breeding animals, and this trait became more and more ingrained in the breed. This single-mindedness could also be called stubbornness. Basset Hounds are often called stubborn.
Luckily, Bassets are food-motivated and loyal, loving dogs. However, youll have to be patient when you work with your Basset because repetition and reward are keys to success. So recognize that although they do want to make you happy, sometimes what you want them to do isnt their number one priority at that moment. Healthy treats help convince him to listen. Training a Basset isnt over when he learns the command. You must work with him daily to reinforce your training and always be consistentplan for him to ignore you sometimes. If youre on a walk, keep him leashed for his safety.
Greyhound
Scent hounds are slow and methodical, but sighthounds like the Greyhound explode into action and run after their prey like the wind. Its this instinct that makes the Greyhound a challenge to train. If they focus on something, theyll ignore other stimuli around them, and that may include you. Theyll work with you rather than for you.
Keep training sessions brief with your Greyhound because hes easily bored. Reward good behavior but be gentle with reprimands. Greyhounds are loyal and affectionate with their family but sensitive to harsh treatment. Yelling at him will undo your lesson more than reinforce it. When you teach the sit command, remember that the Greyhounds anatomy makes sitting uncomfortable.
Borzoi
Much like the Greyhound, Borzois chase down their prey with sheer speed. Originally known as the Russian Wolfhound, Borzois had to be fast and clever to chase down and pin their dangerous quarry. Breeders honed the Borzois ability to make its own decisions, so understandably, he may sometimes choose not to listen to you.
When you work with your Borzoi, keep your sessions brief. Work on a specific command for a few minutes, then shift to play together. Intersperse brief periods of training with more extended periods of fun. Harsh techniques wont help you bond with your Borzoi. Reward them with treats and praise and set them up for success. No matter how long youve been working with a sighthound, recognize that instinct can beat training if a squirrel or rabbit darts out at your feet, and it only takes a moment for something to go wrong. Leash your Borzoi if youre not in a securely fenced area.
Bullmastiff
Developed from crosses between the Mastiff and early English Bulldog types, the Bullmastiff tracked and captured poachers for the gamekeepers on large English estates. Any dog ready to chase and hold down an adult while waiting for the gamekeeper has to be tenacious. Without deference to the gamekeeper, this tenacity would make him unsuitable as a pet.
Bullmastiffs need to understand theirposition in the family hierarchy, which is just below all of the family members. If you accept the challenge of owning a Bullmastiff, he must trust you and respond to your commands. Train him with love and patient firmness. Hes not appropriate for all owners and all situations, but in the right home with consistently enforced boundaries, he will defend his family with love and honor.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Some of the easiest dogs to train are retrievers, and while breeders created the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to retrieve ducks and geese in the harsh Chesapeake Bay, hes a different dog than a Labrador or Golden. Chesapeakes have a reputation as not a dog for everyone, and theres truth to the statement. They dont handle harsh training and have been known to turn on trainers treating them with physical roughness. For the right person, however, the Chessie can be the perfect working retriever.
Chesapeakes respond to gentleness, but theyre more of a one-person breed than their other Retriever cousins. Theyll go to the ends of the earth for their person and protect them with their lives, whether or not they need to. If youre looking for a family dog that will welcome all your visitors with a wagging tail and sunny welcome, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not that dog. If youre an experienced owner looking for a loyal, courageous retriever born to the task, the two of you may be perfect for each other.
Kuvasz
Like most livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), the Kuvasz generally protects his herd without direction from a shepherd. LGDs can be challenging to train because theyre so independent, but they would be poor guardians without this trait. Its a careful balance of asserting your dominance as leader of the pack without destroying your pups trust.
Kuvaszok need lots of early socialization with people and animals theyll encounter when theyre adults. They must learn that not everything is a threat and requires a reaction. Keep training sessions short and focus on rewarding the positive while correcting the negative firmly but gently. Like many other LGD breeds, Kuvaszok have a sensitive temperament. They mature slowly, so be prepared for some adolescent moments of poor judgment until they approach their third birthday.
Bloodhound
The Bloodhounds nose is the best in the business and one reason youll need his frequent walks to be leashed even after hes well trained. Bred to track missing or hiding people over long distances and challenging terrain, Bloodhounds can be single-minded and unwilling to relinquish their autonomy. Still, theyre friendly by nature and enjoy human company. Basic obedience lessons should start early so your Bloodhound grows up with the habits you want.
The Bloodhounds reputation as difficult to train is partially due to instinctive behaviors breeders have been selecting over the generations and the Bloodhounds size. Still, theres variability even within the breed. Hell be over one hundred pounds as an adult, so he needs to learn at just a few months old to behave as you wish him to when hes an adult. If a dog this size takes off on a scent, not every adult will be able to hang on to the leash. Verbal commands act as a failsafe. Regular exercise keeps him happy, and the individuals with the highest energy and tracking instinct probably need to find jobs with professional trackers.
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are powerful, strong dogs, as many others are on our list. The Chow Chow, however, differs in that his temperament is more like that of a cat than a more typical dog. Chow Chows are independent and aloof and generally arent impressed with you. The heel and down commands ask him to act contrary to his nature. He prefers to walk in front of you to lead and to remain alert around you. He may learn commands but only choose to perform them when he wants.
Chow Chows have a reputation for having unreliable temperaments and attacking without provocation. The issue may be that their signals have been misread and misunderstood. This doesnt excuse aggressive behavior, but it may explain why Chow Chows have an unpredictable reputation. Chow Chows are best owned by a breed expert. They need someone experienced in how to read their signals and properly socialize them to calmly accept other people.
Canaan Dog
The national dog of Israel, the Canaan Dog, traces its origins back to the ancient Pariah breed. In the 1930s, the breeds modern founders captured feral Pariah dogs to recreate an ancient breed. They needed to be versatile enough to herd and guard livestock but also perform many military-style service tasks that required a keen sense of hearing and smell as well as a wild-type self-preservation instinct.
Used as guardians, mine detectors, message carriers, and Red Cross helpers, Canaan Dogs have been instrumental during Israels times of war. Canaan Dogs are trainable because they learn commands quickly but are challenging because they lack the willingness to respond to commands reliably, depending on their situation. They arent biddable dogs, but if trained with short, positively motivated daily training sessions and a great deal of socialization with other people and situations, they can make devoted family companions.
Final Thoughts
Although we attempt to categorize dogs neatly as easy or hard to train, the reality is more complex. Generally, dogs considered hard to train arent very biddable because they think for themselves. Breeds that were bred to hunt on their own, to track, or guard remote flocks of animals from predators had to be able to think for themselves. Generations of selective breeding for these traits created the breeds as they are today, and we need to respect these instincts.
Bringing a puppy home as a new family member should never be a snap decision. Decide what you will expect of your pup and what you dont think you can live with. Recognize that within breeds, theres still individual variation. Socialize and begin basic obedience commands as soon as your new pup is housebroken and crate trained. Train with praise and rewards, and be patient as your new best friend learns his way. Your dog may challenge you every day. Thoroughly socialize him with people and everyday situations. Train him daily in short, fun sessions from puppyhood to adulthood, and difficult may be beautiful.
