You know that look. The one where your dog stares at you, fully understanding what you just asked, and decides to sit down right there instead of coming when called. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Living with a dog who marches to the beat of their own drum can feel like a daily negotiation, while others seem to hang on your every word.
Some dogs want nothing more than to make you happy. Others, well, they have their own ideas about how life should go. The truth is, what we often call stubbornness isn’t really about defiance. It’s about breeding, instinct, and how certain dogs were designed to think for themselves. Let’s explore the breeds that’ll test your patience and the ones that’ll make you feel like a training genius.
Why Some Dogs Seem More Stubborn Than Others
Stubbornness in dogs can be attributed to several factors such as genetics, breed-specific traits and individual personalities. Here’s the thing though. What seems to us as stubborn is actually a very strong motivation that does not lie in the rewards we are looking to offer to our dogs, and strong willed dogs usually are more driven by their instincts than external rewards.
Think about it from their perspective. Breeds like Beagles and Dachshunds were bred to be hunting dogs, having to think and outsmart prey, racing ahead of their people, corner an animal, and then wait for the slow humans to catch up. They’re not being difficult, they’re just doing what centuries of breeding taught them to do. Handler-focused types like border collies, Belgian malinois, or golden retrievers were bred to work very closely with humans and quickly respond to commands, so they’re easier to train.
The Akita: Loyalty Meets Independence
The 80 to 90-pound Akita is a gorgeous pooch, but it is the most stubborn, according to dog owners and experts, and this Japanese hunting pup has been known to just walk away when you are trying to train them. Honestly, if a dog could roll its eyes, the Akita would be doing it constantly.
Akitas are known for their strong-willed and independent personalities, originally bred for guarding and hunting, which required them to make their own decisions. That fierce loyalty everyone talks about? It’s real. These dogs will protect their family without question, yet ask them to sit during training and you might get a look that says “I’ll think about it.” The key with Akitas is establishing respect early and understanding that cooperation is a partnership, not blind obedience.
Siberian Huskies: Born to Run Their Own Show
Huskies were bred to be independent, as this ensured a mushing group of huskies would ignore commands if the terrain was deemed unsafe, but all these years later, that independence means they have a stubborn streak when it comes to listening to commands. This is a breed that was literally designed to question authority.
Picture a dog pulling a sled across frozen tundra for miles. They were originally bred to run for miles on end in frozen tundra, and their souls are still born to run for hours, and without enough exercise, they will quickly become destructive. Huskies need jobs, they need challenges, and they need patience. Short attention spans and an independent nature make them notorious escape artists who’ll find any weakness in your fence.
Beagles: Nose First, Commands Later
Those droopy ears and soulful eyes can fool you. Beagles are friendly, curious, and have a nose that always knows, often leading them on adventures that ignore recall commands, though their stubbornness is matched by their charm. When a Beagle catches a scent, everything else disappears.
Bloodhounds are ruled by their noses, and Beagles share that scenthound obsession. You can be holding their favorite treat, but if there’s a fascinating smell three yards away, guess where they’re going? Training a Beagle requires understanding that their nose is their superpower and their distraction. Food motivation helps, yet even that has limits when instinct kicks in.
Dachshunds: Small Dogs with Big Opinions
Dachshunds are brave and bold, often showing no fear despite their small size, and this courage, combined with a strong sense of independence, can make them quite stubborn when it comes to training or obeying commands. These little wiener dogs were bred to hunt badgers in underground tunnels. Think about that for a second.
Doxies like to do things their own way, and you are likely to find your Dachshund digging holes, chewing on shoes, or chasing your other pets on a daily basis. They’re smart, determined, and absolutely convinced they’re much larger than they actually are. Consistency is everything with Dachshunds, along with a healthy sense of humor about their antics.
Afghan Hounds: Elegant and Aloof
With its elegant appearance and aloof demeanor, the Afghan Hound is a classic stubborn breed, originally bred for hunting with a strong independent streak and can be aloof during training sessions. This is a breed that looks like it stepped off a runway and knows it.
These sighthounds were developed to chase prey across desert terrain without human guidance. That regal bearing? It comes with an independent mind. Afghan Hounds can learn, yet they need to see the point of what you’re asking. Training sessions should be short, engaging, and never repetitive to the point of boredom. They’re intelligent dogs who simply prefer to think for themselves.
Border Collies: The Overachieving Cooperative
Now let’s talk about the other side. The Border Collie is a whip-smart workaholic, learning remarkably fast, and you might find them looking at you as if to say, “Is that all you wanted?” This breed makes training look easy because it actually is for them.
Border Collies are often ranked as the most trainable dog breed in the world, known for their unmatched intelligence and work ethic, excelling in obedience, agility, and herding competitions. The challenge here isn’t getting them to listen, it’s keeping up with their need for mental stimulation. A bored Border Collie can be more destructive than a stubborn one, so keep those brains busy.
Golden Retrievers: America’s Eager Pleasers
Consistently near the top of the most popular breeds list, this beautiful and friendly dog is also very trainable and eager to please, and Golden Retrievers can be silly and fun, but don’t underestimate their brainpower. There’s a reason you see Goldens everywhere as service dogs, therapy dogs, and family companions.
Golden retrievers are one of the most trainable dog breeds because they have been bred to please people, and originally the golden retriever dog breed was a hunting dog that strived to be the best human companion to their owners while out on the hunt. They genuinely want to make you happy, which makes training feel like a joyful game rather than a battle of wills. Their patience and gentle nature mean even first-time dog owners can succeed.
German Shepherds: The Versatile Workers
German shepherds have this amazing ability to switch between being your loyal companion and your personal bodyguard in seconds flat, and this popular dog breed doesn’t just follow your orders; they understand the spirit behind them, like having a teammate who always has your back. These dogs were built to work.
There is good reason this large and powerful breed is often used for police and military work, as the German Shepherd Dog is a tireless worker and wants nothing more than to please their handlers. Training a German Shepherd feels more like a conversation than giving commands. They read your body language, anticipate your needs, and thrive on having a job to do.
Labrador Retrievers: Friendly and Food-Motivated
These dogs have this wonderful ability to stay focused even when excited, and unlike some breeds that get too wound up to listen, Labs channel their high energy levels into whatever you are asking them to do. Labs are America’s favorite breed for good reason.
This gentle and versatile hunting breed is also a fast learner, and Labrador Retrievers’ outgoing nature and eager-to-please personality make them a preferred breed for service work. Food motivation is strong with this breed, which makes training straightforward. The challenge is keeping their enthusiasm in check and preventing obesity, since they’ll do anything for a treat. Their patience combined with intelligence creates the perfect training companion.
Poodles: Brains Behind the Beauty
Don’t let this breed’s twee and fancy appearance fool you, as Poodles in all their forms (miniature, toy, or regular), are very willing to learn and are easily trainable, and in addition, they are extremely athletic and smart. That fancy haircut hides a seriously clever mind.
These dogs approach training like they are working toward a PhD, analyzing every command and figuring out the most efficient way to complete it, and whether standard, miniature, or toy size, all Poodles share this incredible intelligence and desire to excel, as they were originally water retrievers, which explains their problem-solving abilities and work ethic. Poodles don’t just learn, they master. Keep training interesting and challenging, because these dogs will get bored with simple repetition.
Making Peace with Your Stubborn Dog
While stubborn dogs may be harder to train, they often make fiercely loyal and clever companions when handled with patience. The secret isn’t changing who your dog is, it’s understanding why they behave the way they do. Patience is a virtue when it comes to training independent dogs, and unlike some breeds that may quickly pick up commands, stubborn dogs may require more time and repetition to grasp new concepts, and understanding that progress may be gradual and inconsistent is essential for maintaining a positive attitude during training sessions.
Most stubborn dog breeds respond to positive reinforcement but might need more training sessions than other pets, and a lot of people get professional help with training in the form of obedience classes or a private training session at home, with patience and tasty treats being two of the necessary tools for success. Whether you have a headstrong Husky or a cooperative Golden, every dog deserves an owner who appreciates their unique personality. Training isn’t about breaking spirit, it’s about building communication.
What kind of dog shares your home? Are they the stubborn type who keeps you on your toes, or the eager pleaser who makes everything look easy? Either way, the journey of understanding them makes every challenge worthwhile.