Hardest Dogs to Train

Every dog breed is unique and has different temperament. Some dogs respond well to praise, others to toys and some like to swim. Depending on the breed type, training can be easier or harder for some dog owners. However, trainability is not the same as intelligence. It may be possible that a dog is difficult to train, but quite intelligent at the same time. Here are the seven most challenging breeds to train.

1.Afghan Hound

It is one of the oldest breeds known today. This breed was around during ancient times and its personality has not changed much. These dogs are affectionate and like being around their owners. Though this breed of dogs is not looking to rule above you, it has an extremely low obedience level. Many dog experts say that the personality of this breed makes up for its lack of trainability. The Afghan hound has also been said to prefer to be on its own instead of listening to his owner.

2.Beagle

Another breed that has been proven quite challenging to train is Beagle. Though this dog breed is very cuddly and cute, it can easily drive you up the wall, especially when you are trying to train him. These are not stupid dogs, but they are independent dogs that make training much harder than it is with many other dog breeds. These dogs always provide their owner attention and love.

3.Mastiff

Bigger breed does not always mean bigger brain. Mastiffs are one of the biggest dog breeds available, but they have proven to be very stubborn dogs. With weight up to 130lbs, it is like you have another person living in your home with you. Though these are great guard dogs, training a Mastiff to do certain things is most definitely a task at hand. To train a Mastiff, you have to have dog training experience. Also make sure that you speak in a soft, kind voice since these dogs are a little on the sensitive side. For proper training of Mastiff, it is important that the training sessions are sweet and short.

4.Pitbull

Pitbulls are notorious for their supposedly aggressive nature. Bans on the breed have been considered in many areas, including Canada, Toronto, Colorado, Denver, Toledo, Ohio, the United Kingdom (with the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991), and Queensland, Australia. Training of Pitbulls is difficult due to their stubbornness and independent nature, therefore, it is recommended to start training at early stage.

5.Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)

The temperament and trainability of Borzoi is much like cat. These dogs are extremely cat-like, especially when it comes to the independent and free-thinking nature. Many pet lovers enjoy these dogs because of the affection they bring. They can be seen as one of those “stuck-up” dogs. These dogs are generally more concerned about themselves than they are their masters. If you are willing to spend hours and hours on training, you can think for this dog breed. Despite the hardships when it comes to learning training commands, it is a very loyal dog breed and extremely affectionate.

6.Chow Chow

It is another dog breed that has a personality similar to a cat.  These dogs demand attention, especially when there is a new visitor at your home. These are very jealous dogs and like to be at the center of everything. If want to own a Chow Chow, you must be firm and strong-willed. They are very dominant and can easily take charge of their owner if the owner is not firm enough. These dogs have proven to be very hard to train because of the nature and personality of these dogs.

7.Basenji

Basenji is known for its high stamina. These dogs are so unique in the fact that they sometime can sound like a humans either laughing or crying. If you have ever been around a Basenji, you have probably looked around for a baby or a chuckling human. These dogs also have cat-like characteristics. They can spend hours grooming themselves, much like cats. After grooming, you can probably find these dogs looking out the window, watching everything outside. They are very temperamental as well as independent that make these dogs hard to train.

Difficult to train dogs are simply a bit slow, and have trouble understanding what they are being asked to do. Depending on your personality and the breed dog training can be a ton of work, or a piece of cake. If you are a dominant, strong person who thinks nothing of dealing with a strong-willed and stubborn dog, then some of the dogs on this list may work well for you.