Training a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences for any pet owner, but some breeds make it feel like an uphill battle. Certain dogs have independent minds, stubborn streaks, or hunting instincts that override commands. Understanding which breeds are notoriously difficult to train helps you prepare for the challenge ahead.
While these breeds may be more challenging to train, every dog is an individual. With patience, consistency, and proper techniques, even the most stubborn pup can learn basic commands and good behavior.
1. Afghan Hound
Graceful and aloof, the Afghan Hound carries itself like royalty. Bred for centuries to hunt independently across Afghan mountains, this breed thinks for itself rather than waiting for human direction.
Their selective hearing becomes legendary among frustrated owners. Food rewards barely tempt them, and repetitive training sessions bore them quickly. That gorgeous flowing coat requires constant grooming, adding another layer of commitment to an already challenging companion.
2. Basenji
Known as the barkless dog, the Basenji communicates through yodels and howls instead. This ancient African breed was valued for independent hunting skills, which translates to modern stubbornness.
Basenjis clean themselves like cats and share feline independence too. They question every command as if asking why they should bother. Their clever minds find escape routes from any yard, making containment an ongoing puzzle for owners.
3. Shiba Inu
This Japanese breed became an internet sensation, but memes don’t capture their willful personalities. Shibas possess what enthusiasts call the Shiba scream, a dramatic protest against anything they dislike.
Training requires endless patience because they simply refuse commands that seem pointless. Their hunting background means squirrels and birds override any recall training instantly. Socialization must start early, or their natural aloofness becomes problematic aggression toward strangers and other dogs.
4. Chow Chow
With a blue-black tongue and lion-like mane, Chow Chows look as unusual as they act. Originally bred in China for guarding and hunting, they bond intensely with one person while remaining suspicious of everyone else.
Their stubborn streak runs deeper than most breeds. Commands get evaluated before any obedience happens, if it happens at all. That thick double coat needs serious grooming, and many Chows despise being brushed, turning maintenance into wrestling matches.
5. Borzoi
Russian aristocrats bred these elegant sighthounds to chase wolves across vast estates. That hunting drive remains powerful today, making off-leash walks nearly impossible in unfenced areas.
Borzois possess gentle, quiet temperaments at home but transform into focused hunters outdoors. Training feels futile when their instincts kick in. They learn commands but choose when to follow them. Sensitive souls, they shut down completely with harsh correction methods, requiring incredibly gentle approaches.
6. Pekingese
Chinese emperors treasured these tiny dogs, and modern Pekingese haven’t forgotten their royal heritage. They expect worship, not obedience training sessions.
Housebreaking becomes a particular nightmare with this breed. Their small bladders and imperial attitudes combine disastrously. Pekingese decide which commands deserve responses and ignore the rest. That luxurious coat mats easily, yet many resist grooming with surprising ferocity for such small packages.
7. Dachshund
Bred to hunt badgers underground, Dachshunds needed courage and independence to face dangerous prey alone in dark tunnels. That fearless determination makes them adorably stubborn pets today.
Their selective deafness frustrates owners constantly. Dachshunds hear treat bags opening from three rooms away but suddenly cannot hear their names being called. Housetraining takes longer than most breeds. Back problems from their long spines require careful handling, adding medical concerns to training challenges.
8. Bloodhound
With the most powerful nose in the canine world, Bloodhounds follow scent trails that are days old. That incredible ability becomes a curse during training when every smell proves more interesting than your commands.
Once their nose hits the ground, nothing else matters. Recall training fails spectacularly outdoors. They drool constantly, leaving slobber trails throughout your home. Despite their gentle temperament, their size and strength make control difficult when they decide to follow a scent.
9. Basset Hound
Those sad eyes and droopy ears hide a surprisingly stubborn personality. Bassets were bred to trail rabbits independently, so taking orders from humans seems unnecessary to them.
Food motivates them somewhat, but their noses still win most battles. Housetraining progresses slowly, testing owner patience thoroughly. They howl magnificently, which neighbours rarely appreciate. Their long backs and short legs create health concerns, and many Bassets resist exercise despite needing it desperately for weight management.
10. Lhasa Apso
Tibetan monks bred these small dogs as interior sentinel guards in monasteries. Their job was alerting humans to intruders, not following commands, and that independent streak persists strongly today.
Lhasa Apsos view themselves as equals, not subordinates. They bark at everything, considering it their sacred duty. That floor-length coat tangles into impossible mats without daily brushing. Despite their size, they possess surprising aggression toward strangers and other dogs without proper early socialization efforts.
11. Siberian Husky
Bred to pull sleds across Arctic tundra for miles, Huskies possess endless energy and independent decision-making skills. They needed to judge ice safety without human input, making obedience training feel unnatural to them.
Their escape artist abilities become legendary. Huskies dig under fences, climb over them, or simply break through. Recall training rarely works because their prey drive and wanderlust overpower everything. They shed constantly, talk back with dramatic vocalizations, and need hours of daily exercise.
