I just had six months of dog experience when I realized that there’s no such thing as dogs having a bad day for training. It’s either happening or not!
When I excluded all the external factors, including the health condition of my Pug, Jackie, I came to the conclusion that my girl is just difficult to train. This breed-wise trait helped me understand that there are, indeed, dog breeds that don’t excel in this domain.
After thorough research and years of experience, I conducted a list of dog breeds that make the training process a living hell.
Is your puppy on the list? Let’s check it out!
1. The Afghan Hound Holds The Title
Credit: Shutterstock
There’s a good reason why I put the fashionable Afghan Hound in first place. Namely, the professor of canine psychology, Dr. Stanley Coren, in his piece, “The Intelligence of Dogs” [1], states that these purebred canines have one of the lowest IQs in the dog world.
Their poor obedience and intelligence put them in the 79th place on Coren’s list.
Even though I, myself, find them quite sweet and affectionate, getting an Afghan Hound puppy as your first dog would definitely be a huge mistake.
2. The Mastiff Is A Close Second
Credit: Shutterstock
Did you know that there are more than twenty different types of Mastiffs out there? Sadly, the well-known medieval-England Mastiff that was recognized by the AKC in 1885 is poor training material.
Aside from their good-natured temperament and high level of affection towards kids – these pooches perform quite badly in all kinds of training.
The good news, though, is that these giants are naturally sociable and kind, which is why their socialization training isn’t the most important thing to think about. I mean, at least in terms of his own family. The rest of you – beware!
3. The Chow Chow Is Set In Its Own Ways
Credit: Shutterstock
If I’m being totally honest with you – both male and female Chow Chows are a terrible choice for novice owners. These Chinese boys are just way too complex to train.
That’s why you should never get one just because of the looks.
Yes, they’re cute and all, but what about the time when you’re supposed to take them out? Or, join them with other people and other dogs?
Let me tell you what no one is gonna do – untrained Chow Chows are extremely aggressive and dangerous! There is a whole set of strong muscles below those long furs. So, better avoid them!
4. The Bulldog Is Just Too Lazy To Train
Credit: Shutterstock
Whatever I say about Bulldogs in a negative way is just going to be way too harsh. And, these pooches just don’t deserve that!
I mean, who could resist those sad-eyed, big-headed, lazy doggos with the sweetest underbite ever?
Still, if I pick the mildest words possible – it would be that Bulldogs rank high on the list for a reason.
Their intelligence quotient isn’t exactly the most desirable thing. It happens that this very reason positively correlates with their poor cooperation in training.
I mean, just look at them!
5. The Pekingese – Say Cheese And They Will Run Away
Credit: Shutterstock
The good news is – Bulldogs aren’t the only cute dogs with an underbite on the list. The bad thing is, their counterparts, the Pekingese, are not here for good reason!
As much as I would like to hide the fact that these miniature pooches aren’t so bright and trainable, I can’t! The thing is – Pekingese are just way too distracted and unconcentrated to focus, even when tempted by food.
They might do well for a couple of minutes, and then – bam! They’re gone!
6. Here Comes The Beagle
Credit: Shutterstock
There is a reason why Beagles can be the worst dogs to have. Poor trainability is one of them, for sure!
I’m not sure whether it is their breed-related stubbornness, their high prey drive, or the combination of both, but these little fellas are just an impossible project!
On top of all that, they might even be too clingy to perform any kind of activity. Yup, those are Beagles!
7. The Husky’s Stubbornness Is Never Off The Table
Credit: Shutterstock
Don’t get me wrong – Huskies can be wonderful companions when trained from an early age. Still, I had very good reasons for putting them on the list.
For one thing – they are way too mischievous to be a part of any AKC competition. You will need to break blood and sweat to make them listen to you.
If you miss out on training them early, you are highly likely to face behavioral patterns, such as stubbornness, escaping, a lot of howling, and even self-destruction.
8. The Bloodhound Is Never An Easy Choice
Credit: Shutterstock
Let me give you two good reasons never to consider a Bloodhound as being good dog training material.
For one thing, they rank pretty low on Coren’s list. They are just five places above the Afghan Hound, which puts them in 74th place in total ranking.
On the other hand, the AKC describes these doggos as independent. Let me translate this for you – they’re not independent, they’re just set in their own ways!
Training a Bloodhound or even a Bloodhound mix is a quite demanding job to do.
9. The French Bulldog Is Just A Lost Cause Off Leash
Credit: Shutterstock
Don’t bother casually training your Frenchie obedience or some more complex tricks. Unless you give it all you have in this regard – you’re about to experience failure.
Frenchies are naturally too open-minded and easily distracted. As soon as you let them off the leash in a dog park – you can expect them to escape. Don’t get me even started on obedience training…
10. The List Would Be Incomplete Without The Chihuahua
Credit: Shutterstock
Chis are not just difficult to train… they are loco!
Jokes on the side. Yes, this is an amazing family dog, but at what cost? Chis are known for their extremely difficult and sensitive temperament. That said, you can expect them to be quite complicated when it comes to any sort of training.
And, their natural stubbornness is an independent topic!
11. The Pug Would Rather Cuddle And Hug Than Train
Credit: Shutterstock
According to PetNet ID, Pugs are in 57th place in terms of intelligence. Even though they are far above their Hound counterparts, this is still not enough to remove them from the list of hardly-trainable dogs.
They rather prefer having a nice, cozy day inside a house than engaging themselves in overwhelming training processes.
And, believe me when I say – overwhelming in this case scenario is not really overwhelming.
12. The Basset Hound Closes The Hound Family Circle
Credit: Shutterstock
Great, another doggo from the Hound family! You might think that this is some sort of well-thought-through conspiracy, but it really isn’t.
Even though these long-eared pooches sometimes rank low on the training list due to hereditary health problems, such as bad vision or loss of hearing – most of the time, they are just too dull to be trained for complex tasks.
But, I guess that’s fine as these pooches are low-key anyway. They are charming the way they are and nothing else is needed.
13. The Lhasa Apso Is As Complicated As His Name
Credit: Shutterstock
The thousand-year-old Himalayan Lhasa Apso has the honor to end this list. Even though they are known for their unique and exquisite coat colors, Lhasas aren’t exactly favorable dogs for training.
Yes, they naturally make decent watchdogs, but how are they in other tasks?
To answer this in a completely unbiased and well-minded tone – Lhasas are to be avoided if you have some serious training in mind.
14. Shiba Inu Has No Time For Training
Credit: Shutterstock
Shiba Inu dogs are known for their strong-willed and independent nature, which can make training a challenge.
While they’re intelligent, they often prefer to do things on their own terms, rather than following commands. Their stubbornness and aloof personality can test even the most patient trainers, so consistency and positive reinforcement are key to getting them to listen.
15. Borzois Are Cute But Stubborn
Credit: Shutterstock
Borzoi dogs, with their graceful appearance and independent streak, can be a bit tricky when it comes to training. While they’re intelligent, they tend to be reserved and sometimes aloof, making them less motivated by typical training methods.
Their strong prey drive and desire for independence often mean they’d rather follow their instincts than obey commands, which can make training a patient and consistent challenge.
16. The Great Pyrenees’ Independent Nature Makes Training A Challenge
The Great Pyrenees is a majestic, powerful breed known for its calm demeanor and protective instincts, but don’t be fooled—this breed’s independent nature makes training quite the task.
Originally bred as livestock guardians, they were left alone for long periods to make decisions on their own, which has made them naturally self-reliant and often resistant to commands.
While they are incredibly loyal and gentle with their families, Great Pyrenees dogs can be stubborn, especially if training isn’t started early. They tend to think for themselves rather than follow orders blindly, which can be frustrating for inexperienced trainers.
Without consistent, firm guidance, they might ignore recall commands and display excessive barking, especially when they feel their territory is threatened.
If you’re looking for a dog that’s easy to train, the Great Pyrenees might not be your first choice. However, with patience, positive reinforcement, and early socialization, they can become well-mannered and reliable protectors.
17. Coonhounds Can Be Overpowered By Their Nose
Coonhounds are charming and loyal dogs, but their intense prey drive and scent obsession can make training a real challenge. Originally bred for hunting and tracking, these dogs are hardwired to follow their noses, often tuning out their owners in favor of an interesting scent trail.
This stubbornness can become a problem during leash training or recall exercises, as they can easily get distracted and wander off. If not trained early with consistent reinforcement, Coonhounds can develop habits like excessive baying, pulling on the leash, and ignoring commands when focused on a scent.
To train a Coonhound successfully, you’ll need a lot of patience, treats, and a secure area where they can explore safely.
Their determination can be frustrating, but with persistence and engaging scent-based activities, they can become both obedient and happy companions.
18. The Basenji Seems Too Independent To Care
If you’re looking for a dog that listens to commands with enthusiasm, the Basenji is probably not for you. Known as the “barkless dog,” this breed makes up for its silence with an unstoppable independent streak.
Training a Basenji is like convincing a cat to fetch—it might happen, but only if the dog feels like it. They are highly intelligent but prefer to think for themselves, often ignoring commands unless they see a direct benefit. Even food rewards aren’t always enough to keep their attention!
While they are affectionate and playful, training a Basenji requires patience, persistence, and a sense of humor. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll end up with a smart, mischievous, and entertaining companion—but don’t expect them to follow the rules without testing the limits first!
19. The Border Collie Is Too Smart For Its Own Good
You might think that an intelligent dog would be easy to train, but with the Border Collie, the challenge is keeping up! These dogs are one of the smartest breeds in the world, and they know it.
A Border Collie doesn’t just learn commands—it anticipates your next move, outsmarts you, and sometimes trains you instead. If they aren’t mentally stimulated with constant training, puzzle games, and challenging activities, they will find their own way to entertain themselves, often leading to unwanted behaviors like excessive barking or herding anything that moves.
This breed isn’t for casual dog owners—they demand a job, structure, and endless mental engagement. If you’re not an active, dedicated trainer, a Border Collie will quickly turn from an obedient genius into a hyperactive, trouble-making mastermind!
References:
- Coren, S. (1994). “The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide To The Thoughts, Emotions, And Inner Lives Of Our Canine Companions.” New York: Bantam Books.