If you are considering welcoming a new puppy into your family, then one aspect of dog breed characteristics that you might want to consider is how easy the breed is to train. And when it comes to training dogs, not all breeds are created equally, and there are some breeds that are considered the hardest dogs to train. It might be due to stubbornness, independence, or high energy.
In this article, we assess the most challenging dogs to train, which prove to be a problem even for experienced dog owners. These dogs can still make loving, loyal companions, but they might need extra time, patience, and consistent positive reinforcement training. You might also want to look at adapting your training techniques to suit the breed if you do decide that you would like to take on the challenge of one of these breeds.
The graceful and elegant Afghan Hound is one of the hardest dogs to train, specifically as they were bred for hunting with minimal human guidance or instruction. So, they tend to follow their own thoughts and impulses, frequently ignoring repetitive commands.
The Basenji is again a very stubborn dog breed, and these dogs are considered one of the hardest breeds to train. They are intelligent but quickly get bored, so it’s quite hard to keep their attention when training. They do not respond well to traditional dog training methods, so you might have to be creative with obedience training.
Bulldogs are lovable and mellow, but they are also famously stubborn. While they are not unintelligent, their slow pace and disinterest in commands can make training a dog like this frustrating for first-time owners.
Chow Chows form strong bonds with their owners, but have a cat-like behavior and are dignified, and can be wary of strangers and naturally aloof. They need a firm, respectful leadership that often resists authority, so they need consistent and patient positive reinforcement training.
An elegant sighthound that is independent and quiet. As one of the hardest dogs to train, they often act like they haven’t heard your command. They just don’t see a reason to respond! And so they also need lots of creative training methods with positive reinforcement.
As Bloodhounds have an incredible scent, they can be very hard to train. They are so scent-focused that they can become very distracted, and this makes them particularly challenging to train. Getting a bloodhound's attention is going to be important in their learning commands and obedience from you.
Beagles are intelligent and curious, but as another breed with a strong scent drive, they are often distracted during training, again making them one of the hardest dogs to train. It can be difficult to focus a beagle, even on their favourite treats, when they are on the trail of a scent.
The Pekingese were bred as royal dogs and definitely act like they have an air of royalty to them, and can act like they rule the home! They can be defiant, proud, and strong-willed. So dog training can be challenging, making the Pekingese one of the hardest dogs to train.
This highly energetic and intelligent breed is considered one of the hardest dogs to train, as they get bored fast. They need constant stimulation and structure, so lots of physical and mental enrichment, otherwise they can become destructive and ignore commands completely.
Manchester Terriers can be easily distracted and are sensitive to harsh training methods, so they need training to be firm but fun.
A rare and adorable terrier breed, these dogs are smart but have a mind of their own. They need good rewards to follow orders and to encourage them to engage with training.
Another one of the hardest dogs to train, Fox Terriers are tenacious and energetic with a strong prey drive. Often, they'd rather chase something than listen to your commands, so training can be a challenge, but it needs to be consistent.
Dalmatians are well-known and easily identifiable with their energetic personalities. They are a smart breed of dog, but also headstrong and easily distracted, which makes them one of the hardest dogs to train, needing a firm but fair trainer who can keep up with their boundless energy.
Similar to a dalmation, these sleek hunting dogs are bred to work closely with people, but they can become anxious, hyper, and difficult to manage. They need a confident owner so that they can be trained properly.
Beautiful and athletic, Huskies are notorious escape artists and are incredibly independent. Their pack instincts and stubborn streaks make them one of the hardest dogs to train.
Basset Hounds are ruled by their noses and can be slow to respond, so they can appear lazy when it comes to training. So it needs to be highly rewarding and consistent.
Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs—not working dogs. While loving and friendly, they’re not overly eager to please, which can make traditional training feel optional to them.
Lhasa Apsos were bred as guard dogs, and although they may be small, they’re also opinionated. As a dog that is hard to train, they require patient and persistent training.
These fluffy giants are affectionate and gentle but can be a bit willful. Their independent nature means early and persistent training is essential.
Irish Wolfhounds can be slow to mature and are sometimes indifferent to commands. They need patient and consistent training.
Even if you’ve chosen a dog that is known to be hard to train, don't panic. These dogs will need more patience and a good strategy. Start socialisation and learning basic commands early on, and train with positive reinforcement with treats and praise. Keep consistent with training and keep the sessions short to start with. Stay calm and present, and if you need help, don't hesitate to reach out to a certified dog trainer or behavioral specialist.
These 20 dog breeds are considered the hardest dogs to train, but each dog within a breed will behave differently as well. Your training style, the bond you develop with your dog, and the socialization you have done together. With time, love, and consistency, your puppy can grow into a well-behaved dog. Every dog can be a great dog with the right approach.
10 November, 2025