Each dog breed comes with its own set of endearing traits and distinctive qualities, however, some breeds are also notorious for their independent streak, making them more challenging to train. If you’re seeking a smoother dog training journey, it’s wise to steer clear of these 19 notoriously stubborn breeds that are known for their difficulty in following commands.
Basenji
As noted by the American Kennel Club, the Basenji is famous for being a “barkless dog,” making them attractive pets for those who don’t like loud breeds. But it’s important to be informed that Basenjis value their independence and can be somewhat aloof around strangers, making them a little more difficult to train.
Jack Russell Terrier
Did you know that Jack Russells can jump up to 5 feet? Like Fox Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers are highly energetic and have a strong prey drive, making them quite distractible and willful. This can make training difficult sometimes, so it’s important that you’re up for a challenge before you decide to invest in this little bundle of energy.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is loved for its beauty, elegance, and dignified personality. However, they can also be significantly more difficult to train than other breeds, as they have an independent streak and a strong prey drive that can make it difficult for them to remain focused and patient.
Bulldog
We love Bulldogs for their sweet, laid-back attitudes. However, they can sometimes get a little too relaxed when it comes to learning new tricks and commands, causing them to act stubborn and unwilling to participate at times. They are usually strongly motivated by food, so this can help tempt them if you’re having trouble.
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are adorable fluff balls known for their charming personalities and strong sense of loyalty. Unfortunately, they can also be somewhat strong-willed and stubborn, which can make them more difficult to train than other breeds.
Borzoi
Many people love Borzois for their elegance, distinctive faces, and long snouts. However, before choosing to get one, you should note that they have a high prey drive and can be quite independent, which can make them less trainable than other dogs.
Fox Terrier
Fox Terriers are lovable little dogs with a whole lot of energy. Their energetic nature means they require quite a lot of mental and physical stimulation, which can make them challenging to handle at times. They are rather prone to distraction and stubbornness.
Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terriers can be a bit more reserved and independent than other dogs, so they may be less motivated to participate in training. Fortunately, they do respond well to praise and rewards, so as long as you make your training sessions engaging and rewarding enough, you’ll probably get them on board in the end.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inus have captured the hearts of many people across the globe in recent years. They are famous for their strong personalities and funny quirks. However, they also have an independent streak that can make them stubborn and unmotivated when it comes to training.
Dalmatian
Dalmatians are known for being energetic, loyal, and highly intelligent. But they can also be quite independent and become easily bored with repetitive training sessions. It can be helpful to train them for short periods of time and make your sessions as engaging as possible to keep them happy and motivated.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are very popular for their famously dramatic attitudes and gorgeous appearance. However, this attitude can extend to training sessions, where they can act overly stubborn and independent. They are also very energetic and intelligent, meaning they require a significant amount of mental and physical stimulation.
Beagle
As noted by Britannica, Beagles are great rabbit-chasers and are known for their strong scent drive, which can cause them to become easily distracted at times. They can also be somewhat stubborn, so training them often requires more time and patience than with other breeds.
Weimaraner
Weimaraners are highly energetic and intelligent, meaning they need a lot of mental and physical engagement to keep them happy and healthy. They also have a pretty strong prey drive, making them more distractible and difficult to train.
Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are famously relaxed and laid-back, which are both great traits to have. However, unfortunately, this relaxedness can be less helpful when it comes to training, causing them to be less motivated and more stubborn than other breeds.
Shar Pei
The Shar Pei can be quite independent and apprehensive around strangers, so it’s important to socialize them early and often. They can also be rather strong-willed and stubborn during training sessions, so it’s essential that you’re willing to put in the time and patience needed to teach them the basics.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are intelligent, loyal, and capable, making them a popular choice among many Americans. However, they also have strong personalities that can make them strong-willed and stubborn when it comes to training. Their physical strength and size also mean they are best handled by those who are physically able to control them.
Akita
Akitas are fiercely loyal and protective, which makes them great guard dogs. However, this protective nature can manifest as aggression if they are not properly trained and socialized early enough. As such, it’s important that their owners do the proper research before investing in this powerful breed.
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent and energetic dogs that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. This can cause them to become bored during training sessions, so it’s important to keep training times as short and engaging as possible.
Great Pyrenees
According to the American Kennel Club, the Great Pyrenees was originally bred to guard shepherds’ flocks at night. Because this means they have to make their own decisions to protect the flock, they are more independent than other dogs and can be stubborn at times.
