You know that feeling when you see a perfectly trained Golden Retriever sitting calmly at a coffee shop, responding to every cue like clockwork? It makes it all look so effortless, doesn’t it? Well, here’s the thing. Not every dog is wired that way.
Some breeds are naturals at reading human cues and following commands. Others? They have their own agenda. That doesn’t make them bad dogs or less intelligent. It simply means they were bred for purposes that required independence, strong instincts, and the ability to think on their own. Those traits are wonderful in the right context but can turn into real challenges when you’re trying to teach basic obedience. If you’re a first time dog owner drawn to one of these breeds because of their striking looks or unique personality, you might be in for a surprise. Let’s dive into six breeds that demand patience, consistency, and a confident handler.
Siberian Husky: The Escape Artist With a Mind of Its Own
Siberian Huskies are extremely energetic dogs originally bred to pull sleds across vast frozen distances. Their history as working dogs means they were trained to make independent decisions, especially when terrain became dangerous. That independence means they have a stubborn streak when it comes to listening to commands.
These dogs are stubborn, high energy, and have a small prey drive, making them escape artists of the dog world who can be very vocal at all hours. I’ve heard countless stories from frustrated Husky owners who’ve come home to chewed furniture, dug up yards, or dogs that somehow managed to scale a fence. If Houdini were a dog, he’d be a Siberian Husky, as these dogs are notorious escape artists requiring plenty of dedicated training and a secure environment. They need loads of exercise and mental stimulation daily. Without it, they’ll find their own entertainment, and trust me, you won’t like their choices.
Afghan Hound: Beauty With an Independent Streak
Afghan Hounds are very intelligent and often compared to a cat personality wise because they tend to do whatever they want, whenever they want, often ignoring your prompts and commands. Their elegance is undeniable, with that long, silky coat and regal bearing. Yet beneath all that beauty lies a strong willed soul. This breed may seem to take to training initially, but later on decide they no longer want to listen, which can be very frustrating for an owner.
Their origins as hunting dogs in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan shaped them to be independent thinkers. This independent streak, coupled with their aloof nature and lightning fast reflexes with a powerful prey drive, can frustrate novice owners attempting traditional obedience training, making recall training nearly impossible without early and consistent reinforcement. They need creative training approaches that respect their autonomy. Honestly, if you want a dog that lives to please you, this isn’t your breed.
Basenji: The Barkless Dog That Doesn’t Follow Rules
Like the Afghan hound, the Basenji belongs to the sighthound family and is therefore independent and somewhat distant, with some people describing the breed as having catlike traits since it grooms itself like a cat. Basenjis have a reputation for being difficult to train, though ease of training isn’t always an accurate measure of intelligence, as they are highly curious and playful but can get into trouble like curious toddlers if not supervised, remaining alert and suspicious while being stubborn and not obeying consistently.
What makes Basenjis particularly challenging is their unique blend of high intelligence paired with total disinterest in traditional obedience. They were bred to hunt independently in Central Africa, which means they don’t automatically look to humans for direction. Training a Basenji requires thinking outside the box and finding what truly motivates them, which often isn’t just food or praise. Their lack of barking might seem like a bonus until you realize they communicate through yodels, whines, and howls instead.
Chow Chow: The Aloof Guardian
Chow Chows are not just distinctive in appearance but also in personality, as they tend to be aloof and very independent, which can make training a challenge. Chow Chows are not naturally inclined to obedience, instead being independent thinkers who value autonomy, like furry philosophers seeking understanding over blind commands. Their lion like mane and blue black tongue make them instantly recognizable, but their temperament is what truly sets them apart.
While intelligent, these dogs are stubborn, and raising a well mannered and well adjusted Chow takes a lot of training and patience, so these dogs do best with experienced owners. They were historically used as guard dogs in China, which means protective instincts run deep. Without proper socialization from puppyhood, they can become overly territorial or aggressive toward strangers. This breed requires a patient and experienced owner who can establish leadership without being overly harsh. You need to earn their respect, not demand it.
Chinese Shar Pei: The Wrinkled Territorial Guardian
Despite their squishy wrinkly baby face, Shar Peis can be quite difficult dogs to train, as their personalities can often lean toward that grumpy neighbor who yells at kids for being too noisy outside. Let’s be real, those adorable wrinkles are deceiving. Shar Peis are often highly territorial, and owners will often have to restrain this breed from attacking strangers, visitors, or other animals.
An expert on the breed advises to get a jump start on basic obedience and not let this dog be the boss, as Shar Peis are smart and devoted dogs whose independent thinking and love of doing things at their own pace can make training them a constant battle, and they will take on a dominant role if given the opportunity. These independent pups can be aloof with strangers and territorial over their loved ones, requiring a confident, experienced owner who can establish themselves as the pack leader. Early socialization is absolutely critical. Without it, you risk ending up with a dog that’s reactive and difficult to manage in public settings.
Bullmastiff: The Gentle Giant With a Stubborn Side
Bullmastiffs are massive dogs that can overpower a full grown human without much effort, though they are generally people pleasers and quite docile, but the issue is that they often don’t get along with other dogs, and training is difficult for this breed because if they are stubborn, there is little you can do due to their large size. Their sheer physical presence demands respect.
Although Bullmastiffs are people pleasers, they aren’t dog pleasers whatsoever and have high guarding instincts, requiring more training and socialization than other breeds to help them feel at ease around other dogs and strangers. They often have trouble understanding their role as the dog with a human. It’s hard to say for sure, but I think many Bullmastiff owners underestimate the commitment needed to properly train such a powerful breed. Bullmastiffs also like to do things their own way, a trait which coupled with their strong build and large size can make it impossible to get them to do what you want, therefore they need a confident, strong willed owner to match their equally strong willed nature.
Conclusion
Training these six breeds isn’t impossible, but it requires something beyond basic obedience knowledge. You need to understand what drives them, respect their history, and be willing to adapt your methods. While these dog breeds may present unique training challenges, it’s important to remember that no dog is untrainable, and with patience, consistency, positive reinforcement, and understanding of their specific breed traits, you can overcome these hurdles.
If you’re drawn to one of these breeds, ask yourself honestly whether you have the time, energy, and experience to handle their independent nature. The rewards can be incredible when you earn their trust and respect, but the journey demands dedication. What do you think? Are you up for the challenge, or would you rather stick with a breed that’s a bit more eager to please? Either way, every dog deserves an owner who understands them.
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
