The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a standardized assessment that evaluates a dog’s potential behavioral problems. Led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the study defines an “easily trainable” dog as one that meets certain criteria, such as obeying their owner, refraining from distractions, and accepting correction.
Unfortunately, some breeds don’t have these traits, putting them on the list of some of the hardest dogs to train. While a dog’s trainability boils down to its individual temperament, the following breeds need some extra patience while training.
1. Siberian Huskies Are Very Willful
The Siberian Husky is a dog breed that loves cold weather––and mischief. Because of their strong-willed temperament, these dogs are difficult to train. This breed is smart, prey-driven, and tends to ignore commands that other dogs might easily follow.
Huskies also have a high energy level and a lot of physical activity because they were bred for sled pulling. If they don’t get enough exercise, they may try to escape.
Training tip: Start training your Husky early, focus on leash training, and ensure they get lots of daily exercise and social interaction.
2. Alaskan Malamutes Are Very Independent
Many confuse Malamutes with Huskies, but they’re not the same. While they look similar, they have their differences, including body size, personality, and grooming needs.
The Alaskan Malamute has a strong sense of independence. These dogs aren’t easy to train because they’re smart but stubborn, and they’re not easily motivated by food, toys, or pleasing their owner.
Training tip: Give your Malamute activities that match their breed, like pulling a sled or playing with a flirt pole. This helps satisfy their instincts and makes training more engaging.
3. Akitas Are Not for Inexperienced Owners
You’ve probably heard of Hachiko and his sad story. This loyal Akita waited for his deceased owner to come back home for almost a decade, proving that these natural guard dogs can love their owners deeply.
However, they’re independent, stubborn, and don’t like strangers and other animals. This is why they’re hard to train and control if not properly trained. Moreover, without good socialization, they can become overly aggressive, especially toward strangers.
Training tip: Focus on building mutual respect with your Akita and set firm boundaries. You should also socialize your dog with new people and animals, but avoid dog parks to keep training on track.
4. Shiba Inu Are Feisty and Opinionated
The Shiba Inu is one of the healthiest dog breeds, but training these dogs is hard because they’re independent with a hunting background.
They’re confident, bold, and generally good-tempered, but they can be very stubborn and don’t care about pleasing their owners. Even with training, Shiba Inu can’t be trusted off-leash and will often try to escape if they see something interesting to chase.
Training tip: Always keep your Shiba Inu on a leash and focus on building a strong bond.
5. Afghan Hounds Are Not the Most Intelligent
One of the many high-maintenance dog breeds, the Afghan Hound is also hard to train because these dogs have a mind of their own. Admittedly, that’s not saying much; the breed consistently ranks low in scientifically backed intelligence tests. The breed is more beauty than brains.
They’re aloof and bond closely with their owners but often ignore everyone else, including trainers. Even if they learn commands, they might ignore them if they don’t feel like listening or spot something to chase.
Training tip: Set firm boundaries with your Afghan Hound. Remember, they often act like cats, doing what they want, when they want, so you must remain consistent.
6. Chinese Shar-Pei Are Cat-like Dogs
The wrinkly Shar-Pei can be surprisingly tough to train because they’re often territorial and don’t socialize well with strangers, whether human or animal. They can be like that grumpy neighbor who doesn’t want anyone on his lawn.
Shar-Pei were originally bred as hunters and guard dogs in ancient China, so they’re naturally independent, protective, and sometimes stubborn. They’re also smart, which can make them think they know better than their owner, making training a challenge.
Training tip: Set firm boundaries with your Shar-Pei and focus on solo adventures rather than crowded places.
7. Beagles Are Overpowered by Smells
Beagles make great family dogs, but they can be challenging to train. They’re very focused on smells and have a strong instinct to follow scent trails. This makes them easily distracted and difficult to train, especially outdoors or when off-leash.
They’re also full of energy, which means they need a lot of exercise. Without it, they might become destructive, run away, or bark excessively.
Training tip: Use high-value treats to keep your Beagle motivated during training.
8. Basenjis Were Bred as Independent Hunting Dogs
Basenjis have a cat-like nature because they’re calm and very independent. They don’t bark, which is unusual for dogs. This breed can be hard to train because they’re easily distracted and may ignore treats or toys when they are focused on something else.
Training tip: Give your Basenji more space, like a longer leash or a bigger yard. Find what motivates them most and use it in training.
9. Bloodhounds Care More About Smells Than Tricks
Bloodhounds have a fantastic sense of smell, making them excellent at tracking. However, their strong instincts and independence can make training tough.
They’re stubborn and easily distracted, so standard training methods might not work well. Perhaps this is why the demand for these dogs has dropped significantly over the years, putting them on the list of vulnerable dog breeds at risk today.
Training tip: Use smelly treats to keep your Bloodhound focused during training.
10. Basset Hounds Have Their Own Agendas
Basset Hounds will charm you with their appearance, but they’re hard to train. They were bred to track scents, so they’re very independent and stubborn. They often ignore commands because they’re so focused on their scent.
Training tip: Use tasty, smelly treats to keep your Basset Hound’s attention during training. Reward-based and crate training will help them learn better.
11. Jack Russell Terriers Are Easily Distracted
These small but powerful dogs were originally bred for fox hunting. That’s why Jack Russell Terriers have a high prey drive, which makes them hard to train.
Training tip: Provide lots of exercises and keep your Jack Russell’s mind busy with obedience training, tricks, and brain games.
12. Poodle Mixes Can Prove Stubborn
Doodles look adorable with their curly coats but can be difficult to train because they struggle with separation anxiety and other fear-related problems. Experts suggest that overbreeding has caused anxiety and fear in these dogs. That’s one of the reasons why breeding doodles is controversial.
Training tip: Use activities like problem-solving games to keep their mind engaged and build confidence. Make sure your doodle gets both mental and physical exercise.
13. Chow Chows Do Things on Their Terms
Chow Chows often bond closely with one person and can be very protective and jealous. They may show aggression toward strangers and other animals if not properly socialized, so they’re one of the dog breeds for advanced owners.
Training tip: Set firm boundaries and give them lots of attention. Also, be cautious around new people and animals.
14. Australian Shepherds Are Easily Bored
Australian Shepherds, with their smart and eager-to-learn nature, might seem easy to train. However, their intelligence can lead to boredom and boundary-pushing. They may even outsmart you if not kept engaged.
Training tip: Keep training sessions short and frequent, and make them engaging with food and dog toys.
15. Rottweilers Are Often One-person Dogs
Rottweilers were mainly used to herd livestock and pull carts full of meat to the market. They’re extremely loyal (sometimes to a fault), making them one of the best guard dogs. Training can be tough because they often listen only to their favorite person.
Training tip: Set clear rules and build mutual respect. Socialize your Rottweiler with new people and situations to help manage their protective behavior.
16. Border Collies Often Outsmart Their Owners
Border Collies, known for their loyalty and high energy, originally worked as sheep herders in Scotland and England. With their high intelligence, they often rank as the smartest dog breed. They need a lot of activity because, without it, they might develop destructive or obsessive behaviors.
Training tip: Provide plenty of exercise, such as canine sports, backpacking, or long runs, and keep training sessions short and engaging.
17. Dachshunds Are Sensitive to Harsh Training
Dachshunds have a huge personality and high energy. Originally bred to hunt badgers, they’re smart and independent thinkers. However, they’re quite stubborn and sensitive to harsh words, which can make training difficult. They might also ignore commands if distracted by interesting smells.
Training tip: Teach your dachshund various tricks and give lots of cuddles. Focus on potty training and controlling barking without raising your voice.
18. Chihuahuas Need Training in Puppyhood
Chihuahuas, though tiny, possess a strong will and a fierce attitude. They prefer to do things their way and can be quite stubborn. That being said, training them can be hard, and without proper training, Chihuahuas might become overly aggressive with people and other animals.
Training tip: Start training early with treats and praise. Be patient and gentle to help manage their strong will and prevent aggressive behavior.
19. Pekingese Can Be Snappy Without Training
Pekingese like to be in charge and can be difficult to train. Without proper training, they might become snappy, even with their owner. They also prefer to be the center of attention and do better as the only pets in the household.
Training tip: Use treats and rewards for training, and be patient. Set firm boundaries and avoid spoiling them.
20. Borzoi Are Calm but Strong-willed
Borzoi, or Russian Wolfhounds, have a calm demeanor. However, training them can be tough. Bred to hunt with little help from people, they’re smart but not always eager to please. They might be stubborn and ignore commands, especially if they see something fast-moving.
Training tip: Keep training sessions short and use tasty treats. Give them lots of exercise to help with their strong prey drive.
21. English Bulldogs Prefer Lounging Over Training
English Bulldogs prefer relaxing over training and can be very stubborn. They enjoy lounging around and might resist moving or following commands. Their laid-back nature can make training difficult, especially if you need them to get up or go somewhere.
Training tip: Set firm boundaries and use plenty of cuddles. Keep training sessions short and fun to keep them engaged.
