Ever wonder why your neighbor’s perfectly behaved Golden Retriever was potty trained in weeks while your adorable pup still treats your living room like their personal bathroom? You’re not alone. Some dog breeds come with reputations that make even experienced dog trainers shake their heads in frustration. Whether it’s stubbornness, intelligence working against you, or just plain attitude, these twelve breeds will test your patience like no other.
The Notorious Shih Tzu
Among the breeds commonly cited as difficult to potty train is the beloved toy breed, the Shih Tzu. Stubborn and distracted, these dogs are hardest to housebreak. Originally bred for Chinese royalty, these little emperors act like bathroom etiquette is beneath their royal status. Their flat faces and flowing coats might make them look like living stuffed animals, but don’t be fooled by their adorable appearance. These little emperors have perfected the art of selective hearing, especially when it comes to bathroom etiquette.
The Shih Tzu’s attitude toward potty training can be summed up in one word: defiance. They’d rather spend their time being pampered than learning where to do their business, making every housebreaking session feel like a negotiation with a tiny, furry diplomat who refuses to compromise. Their independent nature, combined with that royal breeding, makes them genuinely believe they shouldn’t have to follow your house rules.
Pomeranian Puddle Makers
The AKC describes Pomeranians as “alert” and “highly intelligent,” noting that they “excel in activities like agility, rally, and obedience, or working as therapy dogs.” However, they also warn that “housebreaking can be a challenge, so consistency and patience are key.” Despite being cute, your average Pom will “tinkle in your lap and drop some nuggets in your purse,” according to veterinarians.
These fluffy little drama queens are as stubborn as they are adorable. Described as cocky, animated, and lively, Pomeranians are exactly that – and then some. You’ll need to convince them (with plenty of treats) how the potty game is played. Patience and short, positive training sessions are all you need. Think of them as tiny politicians who’ll only cooperate if there’s something in it for them.
Bichon Frise – Pretty but Problematic
Bichons have a reputation for being difficult to housebreak. In every other respect, however, they are very easy to train, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC says that Bichon Frises “have a reputation for being difficult to housebreak,” while MedNet Direct says that the breed is “fiercely independent” and “tends to be picky about going outside when it’s rainy or cold out.”
Their pristine white coats might suggest cleanliness, but these dogs are surprisingly finicky about outdoor conditions. If there’s even a hint of moisture in the air or a chill in the breeze, your Bichon might just decide that indoor relief sounds much more appealing. They respond very well to training based on positive rewards, rather than harsh or negative methods. A Bichon needs to be with his family, and undesirable behaviors are likely to result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time.
Jack Russell Terrier Chaos
The Jack Russell Terrier is another small dog breed that struggles to potty train on a timeline – and veterinarians say that its high energy levels and short attention span are most likely to blame. These dogs at number four tend to have the attention span of a toddler. They’re most easily distracted at school. Imagine trying to teach quantum physics to a hyperactive child who’s just spotted a squirrel – that’s the Jack Russell housebreaking experience.
Jack Russell terriers are known to be a challenging breed, to say the least. From chewing up your shoes to running around the house at full speed, these pups are little balls of energy that can be difficult to potty train. Their hunting instincts were bred to work independently underground, making decisions without human guidance. This translates to a dog who thinks your potty training suggestions are just that – suggestions they can choose to ignore.
Dachshund Dilemmas
Unfortunately for wiener dog lovers, they’re very difficult to potty train (and quite stubborn). According to research, they make the list of the top seven most difficult breeds to housebreak. Though they are small, cute, and have a waddle that won’t quit, dachshunds are as stubborn as hounds come. We recommend crate training since they can be difficult to to potty train. Dachshunds aren’t usually fans of cold weather, either, so any inkling of a chill and they will avoid going outside to do their business!
These sausage-shaped sweethearts were bred to hunt badgers in underground tunnels, requiring tremendous independence and decision-making skills. Contrary to popular belief,Dachshunds are very intelligent. However, they have a stubborn streak. Dachshunds can be a stubborn breed, and although they are clever, “they tend to get defensive when they are pushed to do something they don’t want to do,” says MedNet Direct, “Plus, these dogs need major convincing to go outside when it’s rainy or cold out.”
Bulldog Stubbornness
According to some sources, English bulldogs can be challenging to train due to their stubborn nature, they can “generally only pick up a very limited and low-level range of commands in general training,” taking “longer than most to make the mental connections involved in picking up toilet training.” Imagine trying to motivate a couch potato who’s perfectly content with their current lifestyle – that’s the Bulldog housebreaking experience in a nutshell.
Bulldogs rarely want to get up, let alone go outside to potty. They’re pretty content to do whatever they want, and sometimes just don’t listen. They can be stubborn and single-minded, which makes them harder to train than your average golden retriever. Think of training a bulldog like trying to convince your teenage nephew to clean his room – possible, but it’ll require patience, persistence, and probably some bribes.
Basenji – The Independent African
Known as the “barkless” dog from Africa, basenjis are known to learn plenty of commands – it’s just a matter of whether they’ll actually perform them or not. This stubborn breed will usually decide what they feel like doing, so it’ll take a bit of extra training elbow grease to get their potty skills up to snuff. These intelligent hunting dogs were bred to work independently in the African wilderness, tracking game without constant human direction. The Basenji’s independent streak runs so deep that they view your housebreaking attempts as mere suggestions rather than commands. They possess an almost cat-like mentality when it comes to bathroom habits – they’ll use the designated spot when it suits them, not when you think they should.
Their intelligence works against you in potty training because they’re smart enough to know when they can get away with bending the rules. Unlike dogs bred to please humans, Basenjis were bred to think for themselves, making every training session feel like a diplomatic negotiation where you’re definitely not holding all the cards.
Yorkshire Terrier Troubles
Yorkshire terriers can be tough to potty train, according to MedNet Direct, who says: “These guys can also be stubborn. They are especially difficult to convince to go outside to do their business when it’s wet or cold out.” Additionally, “these teeny tiny dogs also have teeny tiny bladders, and they can’t hold it for long, making frequent potty breaks a must.” Yorkies may have a stubborn streak when it comes to housebreaking, but with the right setup and a breed-smart approach, you can achieve success faster than you might think.
Although not as independent as the Jack Russell, the Yorkshire terrier is as stubborn. To make matters worse, the dog has a knack of soft-talking its owner into submission, leading to – in later life – the inability of the human to tell the dog what to do. These tiny terriers are masters of manipulation, using their cuteness to avoid following house rules. Their small size often means accidents get overlooked or dismissed, reinforcing bad habits.
Chihuahua Challenges
MedNet Direct says that Chihuahuas are: “known for urinating whenever and wherever they feel like it because they know that they’ll get away with it. Chihuahuas can also be challenging to potty train because “they hate going outside when it’s too cold or wet out.” These pocket-sized powerhouses pack enormous personalities into tiny bodies, and their attitude often includes a healthy disregard for your house rules.
The Chihuahua has the stubbornness of the Bichon and the independence of the Jack Russell. It may be the sweet and loving lapdog it was born to be, but if challenged or instructed in a way that grates against its sensibilities the Chihuahua takes on a whole new façade! Their small bladders combined with their diva attitudes create the perfect storm for potty training frustration.
Cocker Spaniel Sensitivity
Cocker Spaniels are “sweet-natured, playful, and incredibly gentle dogs”, says MedNet Direct, “but they can also have a temperamental and unpredictably defensive attitude that can make potty training a challenge.” When housebreaking their dog, owners should “avoid being too harsh, yelling or physically punishing a Cocker Spaniel when potty training, as they’ll likely either become defensive or urinate in submission.”
Another dog making a name for itself as a poor pupil is the Cocker Spaniel. These dogs are zany at best and defensive and grumpy at worst. The Cocker considers training beneath it and does not take kindly to being told what to do. Their sensitivity means you have to walk a fine line between firmness and gentleness, making consistent training incredibly challenging.
Afghan Hound Aloofness
Afghan Hounds are slow learners who take a long time to housebreak, with these lofty daydreamers needing extra time, patience, and consistent training to catch on. Think of them as the aristocrats of the dog world – they’ll do things on their own terms and timeline, not yours. These elegant sight hounds were bred to hunt independently across vast desert landscapes, developing a mindset that human input is optional rather than mandatory.
Their aloof nature isn’t rudeness – it’s centuries of breeding for independence. Afghan Hounds approach potty training like they approach everything else: with regal indifference and the assumption that they’ll figure it out when they’re good and ready. Rushing them only makes them more determined to do things their way.
Mastiff Maturity Issues
Some specific breeds are Late Maturers, both physically and mentally. They may take long to develop control over their urination and potty system. The larger the breed is, the more acute the problem becomes. Late maturers include Irish Wolfhounds, all Mastiffs, Great Dane, Chinese Shar-Pei. If your dog is a late maturer, you may have more than 18 months of watching it closely and sometimes cleaning up an accident.
These gentle giants aren’t being difficult on purpose – their massive size means their bodies and brains take significantly longer to mature than smaller breeds. These dogs keep confusing their potty places because they think that it hardly matters where they potty. Imagine trying to housebreak a toddler who weighs 150 pounds and grows out of their mental capacity every few months – that’s the Mastiff experience.
Conclusion
Potty training these challenging breeds isn’t impossible, but it definitely requires superhuman patience and a sense of humor. However, with patience and persistence, nearly every dog can be housetrained. The key is understanding that some dogs were bred for independence, others for stubbornness, and some just mature at their own pace. Like most pups, with a few treats and a whole bunch of positive reinforcement, even the most stubborn and independent breeds will get the hang of potty training eventually!
Remember, your dog’s challenging potty habits aren’t a reflection of their intelligence or your abilities as an owner. These breeds have personality traits that served them well in their original jobs but make modern house rules feel more like suggestions. With consistent training, endless patience, and perhaps a really good carpet cleaner, even the most stubborn pup can learn to respect your floors. The question isn’t whether they can be trained – it’s whether you have the stamina to outlast their determination to do things their way.
