If you are taking the time to read this, you are probably a “dog person.” There are four categories of dogs. First is the dog of a lifetime, with years of experience. They almost certainly had a dog as children and gained the experience to be responsible for its care and training. Then there’s the “I like dogs, but I don’t want one” person. Closely followed by the “We had a dog when I was a kid … but, I just played with him.” And finally, the person “I never had a dog, but I want one now.”

Not all dogs are the same, especially in the training department. It is true that there are exceptions to all the rules. However, the fact is that some breeds are known to be easier to train than others.

Generally, training problems are not due to a lack of intelligence. Most of the time, problems arise from the owner’s lack of training experience. What happens with various races is that their instincts dominate their need to please their humans. They are often stubborn, strong-headed and bored easily. Some even resent being told what to do! They have been bred to trust their instincts, such as the great prey drive, independence, and their senses, especially their sense of smell! It’s almost guaranteed, as soon as their nose hits the ground, they won’t hear anything you’re saying!

Many dog ​​trainers will agree, breeds that have a reputation for being more difficult to train than others often include: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Blood Hounds, Chow-Chow, Shiba Inus, Shar Peis, Afghan Hounds, Blood Hounds, various breeds of terrier. , and the adorable lapdog, fur balls, the Pekingese. As beautiful or cute as they are, these dogs are not for beginners, nor are they for people who are not willing to genuinely commit to the time and energy to train.

For first-time dog owners, the breeds are the ones to verify. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are inherently less independent. They have been bred to connect with their human companion and work as a team. If a larger dog is what you are looking for, there are many in the Sport and Herding groups that are bred to happily interact with their human companion. They include any of the retrievers and poodles. Herding group dogs, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs, are easy to train because they were also bred to interact with their owner. Looking for a small dog that wants to please, and is recognized for being easy to train, do some homework. Look at the Pomeranian, Papillion or Cairne Terrier.

Bottom line: if you are a new or inexperienced dog owner, don’t start with a difficult breed to train. You’re doing yourself and the dog a disservice. Lack of training is a common cause that dogs are turned over to rescues and shelters. Do your homework. Find a breed that suits your offering and suits your family and lifestyle. Enroll in a recommended positive reinforcement, unpunished puppy kindergarten, or obedience class as soon as you can. You will be glad you did!