10 Hard-to-Train Dog Breeds to Avoid if You’re Short on Patience (Expert Advice)
Let me guess… You’re here because you’re thinking of adding a canine family member but want to know which breeds are the hardest to train before making a final decision. We hear you.
While we all adore our furry friends just as they are, we can’t ignore the fact that some breeds can be challenging to train, making them less ideal for first-time owners. Training is an integral part of dog ownership, and how well-trainable a pup will help you two cohabit harmoniously right from the start.
Generally speaking, the hardest dog breeds to train — as much as they’re fiercely loyal and loveable enough to earn a huge space in our hearts — have a stubborn, independent streak. Unlike easy-to-train dogs, these dogs are easily distracted and would rather do their own thing than follow instructions. This isn’t to say these hard-to-train dogs can’t be trained at all; they can, only that they need a firm, patient, and consistent owner.
Now, without further ado, here are 10 dog breeds that are bound to frustrate you during training, according to experts:
1. Afghan Hound
Everything about the Afghan Hound screams elegance: their flowing, silky coats, slender faces, and regal attitude. Native to Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound’s beauty is undeniable. But before you settle for this gorgeous breed just because of its breathtaking looks and family-friendly qualities, beware that they’re one of the hardest dogs to train out there.
Why, you may ask?
Well, Afghan Hounds are serious independent thinkers. Originally bred to hunt game, which they did tactfully well by incorporating independent thinking, the Afghan Hound will do anything but remain focused during training. In other words, it takes extra effort and a special kind of patience to hit your training goals as an Afghan Hound owner. In addition, Afghan Hounds aren’t food motivated, so using food to win their attention during training can be an uphill task.
According to expert dog trainer and canine behaviorist Will Atherton of Will Atherton Canine Centre, the Afghan Hound is, from his experience, among the top three most difficult dogs to train.
In a TikTok video, Will explains what exactly makes a dog hard to train; traits that the Afghan Hound possesses.
“Well, these are dogs that are stubborn, they aren’t handler engaged, and they’re not really interested in pleasing you,” he reveals. “And they’re not necessarily driven by things like toys and food. Put all of those things together, and you’re gonna have a dog breed that you’re going to be battling with to even get them to understand the most basic commands.”
Will goes on to add that the top three difficult-to-train breeds that instantly come to mind include the Afghan Hound, English Bulldog, and Siberian Husky.
2. The Siberian Husky
Famous for its wolf-like looks and friendly disposition, the Siberian Husky has great potential to bring a lot of joy and happy vibes to a home.
Siberian Huskies are undeniably intelligent dogs, originally bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia, Northeast Asia, to pull sleds and offer companionship. Unfortunately, they have an inherently stubborn streak and independent mind, just as Will Atherton explained. This makes training them an extreme sport.
Professional dog trainer Adam Halleck of Adam Trains Dogs agrees with this.
“Koda and Dante, the Huskies, are two of our most recent graduates. They were NOT EASY to train! Although both were super sweet pups, they both had a mind of their own and were strong-willed,” shared Adam in an Instagram post.
3. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog traces its roots to England, where they were kept for the long-abolished (thankfully) truthless sport of bull baiting.
For the English Bulldog to excel in this violent sport and avoid injuries from angry bulls, they had to think fast without awaiting cues from anyone. Unfortunately, they retained this independent thinking long after bull baiting was banned. It’s for this reason that the English Bulldog can’t earn a spot in the list of the best trainable dogs.
Unlike working with the most trainable dogs, training the English Bulldogs requires extra patience and positive reinforcement, as they tend to be quite hard-headed.
4. Beagle
Interested in small breeds that are easy and calm and easy to train? We hate to break it to you, but the loveable Beagle isn’t one of them.
Cherished for their small size, intelligence, and even-tempered personality, Beagle have a reputation of being incredibly challenging to train. A scent hound originally bred to track and hunt small game using their keen sense of smell, the Beagle gets easily distracted during training, thanks to their powerful nose.
Unlike the dogs that are easy to train, Beagles are inherently stubborn and would rather do what their noses are telling them to than remain obedient throughout training.
“As a canine behaviorist, I see the bad side of the different breeds I get to work with. When it comes to the Beagle, the first really frustrating thing is how difficult it is to teach them recall. Being such scent-driven hunting dogs, teaching recall can be a nightmare,” explained expert dog trainer Will Atherton in a YouTube video.
Thankfully, Beagles are food-motivated, meaning with plenty of positive reinforcement (using treats in this case, not praise), you can get them to listen to you.
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5. Bloodhound
Similar to Beagles, Bloodhounds were originally kept for tracking and hunting small game. Bloodhounds possess an incredible sense of smell, so they will hardly remain put when they get a whiff of a particular smell. To the bloodhound, there’s nothing as exciting and worth their time as following a scent trail. This means they’re bound to take off in the middle of a training session if their nose catches an enticing smell.
In other words, training this independent-minded scent hound demands you to gather all the patience you can muster and go over and beyond with positive reinforcement.
“In the right hands, Bloodhounds can be amazing to train and work in life-saving roles. But if you’re just looking for a pet, you shouldn’t get a Bloodhound. They can be loud….and do not expect amazing recall. Because when they get on a scent, they’re gone,” shared Will Atherton in a YouTube video.
6. Basenji
Nicknamed the barkless dogs, Basenjis—native to Central Africa—learned to be independent thinkers when executing their original roles as hunting dogs. To date, this high-energy dog hardly sees the need to obey humans. Compared to the easy-to-train dog breeds, Basenjis often choose to do what their clever minds tell them to, making them challenging to train.
Consistency and use of positive reinforcement are key when it comes to training the Basenji.
“I’ve had them [Basenjis] for 25 years now and I can say this: that they’re often stubborn, often hard to train, and have a tendency to ignore you…..they are very intelligent but also very independent, which is what makes them hard to train,” commented Basenji dog owner and Reddit user @Vesper1007 in a discussion post on the Basenji’s trainability.
7. Basset Hound
Admired for its long, floppy ears, the Basset hound was originally kept to hunt and track small game, thanks to its impeccable sense of smell.
Unfortunately, unlike the most trainable dog breeds, Bassets have a stubborn streak. They would rather put their noses to work than stay focused throughout training. Positive reinforcement — particularly the use of treats — can go a long way in making the Basset cooperate during training.
“Remember that it is not easy training a Basset. I have had experience training multiple dogs and was very surprised during my first class with a Basset at how unresponsive he was in the class environment,” shared user @slieske311 in a Reddit discussion on the Basset Hound’s trainability.
8. Chow Chow
Adored for their teddy-bear-like appearance and luscious mane, there’s one thing that Chow Chows aren’t big on: people pleasing.
Aloof and strong-willed, the Chow Chow is never afraid to do what it wants whenever it wants. It’s for this reason that Chow Chows aren’t ideal for first-time owners, as they can be quite frustrating to train. So, if you don’t have the patience and time to commit to consistently training the Chow Chow, this might not be the dog for you.
“[Chow Chows] are not easily trainable; they’re not because of what you might easily consider stubborn. They’re strong-willed, very independent, and they don’t really have this need to please their owners. They could take it or leave it,” explained expert dog trainer Garret Wing of American Standard Dog Training in a YouTube video.
9. Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei — easily recognized by its numerous skin folds and stocky build — are loyal, smart, loving, and protective dogs who make fantastic family dogs.
Originally bred as guard dogs, Shar-Peis have stubborn tendencies, unlike the dog breeds that are easy to train. They, therefore, require an experienced owner devoted to consistent training.
“The Shar-Pei is a very loyal and affectionate by nature, even though they may always have a frown on their faces. However, they’re not the best choice for first-time owners because they need to be handled and trained by someone who’s familiar with this type of dog. They’re known to be quite independent……their training has to start as soon as possible,” explained expert dog trainer Will Atherton in a YouTube video.
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10. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Originally bred to guard livestock from predators in the mountainous Caucasus region of Southern Russia, the Caucasian Shepherd is a strong-willed, independent dog who prefers to do things their way.
Unlike other easily trainable dogs, this intelligent breed can easily dominate a novice owner. Caucasian Shepherd dogs are better off with an experienced, firm owner who’s ready to put in the work and patience into consistent training.
“These Marvelous Russian dogs are very intelligent and naturally apt at interpreting situations and acting accordingly. We must not forget that Caucasian Shepherds were tasked with guarding flocks in remote mountainous regions of Russia and quite often in long absences from their owners. So, left on their own, the dog had to think and act independently……in other words, they can be fairly stubborn,” explained dog trainer Will Atherton in a YouTube video.
According to Will, Caucasian Shepherds need strong and consistent leadership to remain obedient during training.
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