A stubborn dog may not always follow your lead, but they will always follow their heart. They are strong willed and have an independent streak, which can make training them somewhat a challenge. Stubbornness in dogs can be attributed to several factors such as genetics, breed-specific traits and individual personalities.

What is a “stubborn dog?”

As a pet parent, I would say that a stubborn dog is a dog that does his own thing and refuses to do anything else, unless there is really something for him.

As a trainer, I would define “stubbornness” in dogs a little differently. Dogs are not born with the trait of defying on purpose. Thus, stubbornness as a quality does not really exist in dogs. 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.

Why are ‘stubborn’ dogs a bit harder to train?

Strong willed dogs, as I like to call them, usually are more driven by their instincts than external rewards. This is the biggest difference between training a Golden Retriever, classic people-pleasers, vs an Akita, who have a strong mind of their own.

The general rule of training is to use rewards or punishment to get dogs to comply. Dogs who are classified as “stubborn” generally don’t respond favorably to both if they are driven by their instincts in a particular situation. Their motivation lies elsewhere and will only be fulfilled if their needs and instincts are catered to.

Many a time, we fail to identify these needs and focus only on getting our dogs to “behave” while our dogs are just being themselves. These micro-fights make training a lot more challenging and frustrating.

7 most stubborn dog breeds

1. Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are infamously known to have a mind of their own. These Houdini hounds can make their way in and out of anywhere. While they’re blessed with an incredible amount of intelligence and grit, Huskies also come with some idiosyncrasies. 

When these dogs set their heart onto something, they are usually unstoppable. For several pet parents, this may appear to be as stubbornness. When raising a Husky, recall must be one of the first things to focus on because they have a heart of an explorer and the agility of a horse.

Their excellent communication and responding skills combined with their opinionated personality make Huskies a delightfully challenging breed to train. 

2. Shiba Inu

Many people believe that Shiba Inus are very feline-like. This perception is built around three of their strongest characteristics – independence, aloofness and determination. They’re one of the most ancient dog breeds of the world and their dash of “wilderness” often comes with a hint of unwillingness to be cuddly.

They are very intelligent, highly alert and attuned to their environs. They are quick to form perceptions about the world which can be difficult to change. This is where their “stubbornness” is most highlighted.

It is important to start training these dogs when they are young to mold them into well rounded and well-behaved dogs.

3. Terrier breeds like Jack Russel Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Boston terrier

Terrier dogs were originally bred to hunt vermin. These dogs are quick on their feet and have fearless personas. The size of these dogs may be small but the size of the fight in them is magnanimous.

Their original breeding purpose has not only given them a strong prey drive but also ingrained behaviors like digging and excessive barking. Training these behaviors out of them can be difficult because they are baked into their instincts. It is common for their instinctive behaviors to be confused with stubbornness.

Having said that, their love for human companionship can be made good use of when training and raising them to be more attuned to their humans.

4. Akita

Akita, also known as the Hachiko dog, is considered to be one of the most loyal breeds of the world. They make incredibly loyal companions and thrive on human companionship. However, these fastidious dogs are anything but people pleasers. They are hardcore working dogs and do well with families that recognize their needs.

Several people who adopted the Akita after wanting a Hachiko-like dog were in for a rude shock when these dogs exhibited their headstrong and iron-willed personalities. Unlike Labs and Golden Retrievers, Akitas are far more dignified who will not be easily tricked into rolling over with a chicken liver treat. 

5. Schnauzer

Look at this face! What about this face tells you they’d be easy to train? Just kidding! Or am I?

Schnauzers are energetic dog breeds who absolutely love spending time with their humans. Be it a long walk or a short hike, they’re usually up for anything, every time. They are highly alert, quick on their feet, clever and determined. Schnauzers are a perfect 10 but they have a bark that can tear your eardrum!

They are spatially aware dogs and highly curious, which can take the form of being overly distracted, especially when they are on walks. Their willingness to be aware of and vocalize at every tiny movement often supersedes their willingness to please their humans or to work for a treat.

6. Hound dogs like Beagle, Blood hound, Basset hound and Dachshund

Hounds have been helping humans with hunting for generations with either their distinctive sense of smell or excellent eyesight. It is an absolute pleasure to watch them at work because once they catch on to a scent, they won’t stop till they have tracked it down. These dogs were born to do coursing work. Coursing means they chase prey until they catch them.

However, things are different when a hound gets to work on their daily walks! Their sense of smell is a boon for a hunter but a bane for a regular pet parent. They are genetically predisposed to not listening and hence may come across as ‘stubborn’ to a city-dweller.

7. Ancient Chinese breeds like Shar Pei and Chow Chow

Ancient Chinese dog breeds were typically bred as guardians, for transporting goods, for herding, hunting, and as a food source. Furthermore, the Chow Chow’s blue tongue was considered a delicacy in aristocratic families of China. Thus, not only do these breeds have headstrong personas, but many of them have trust issues.

These breeds today have evolved to be more loving towards their human families, but have some traits such as aloofness and independence hardwired in their genes. They are famous for being selective listeners.

The importance of Professional Help while training stubborn Dogs

Strong-willed dogs must be socialized from a young age with reward based and positive techniques to gain their trust and love.

The next step is to thoroughly identify their instincts and focus on fulfilling their needs. Dogs are not spiteful. No dog acts stubborn on purpose. Responding favorably to their needs and providing a desirable outlet for their natural instincts are crucial aspects of raising a “stubborn” dog. 

A professional trainer will not only teach you where to look but also show you what to see. When training a stubborn dog, it is ideal to rope in a professional who can give you better insights into your dog’s behavior and help you understand their breed better. In-Person, 1:1 sessions can be expensive and have to be scheduled as per strict timelines.

This is where virtual training can help the most. Online training with programs like HOMESCHOOL BY LAY LO® are conducted through 1:1 video calls with a certified trainer and can take place in the comforts of your own home.

The trainer may ask to observe your dog's behavior and interaction with you to assess their current training level and temperament and create a personalized training plan tailored to your dog's needs and your goals.

Use patience and positive reinforcement while dealing with stubborn dog breeds. Keep training sessions interesting and varied to hold their attention.

Author Bio: Siddhika is a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and professional pet writer. Over the course of her dog training career, she has gained 3 certifications accredited by KCAI (Kennel Club Accredited Instructors) in the field of dog training and behavior, viz - Basic obedience course, Therapy Dog Training Course and Canine Aggression Course. She has the qualifications and experience in the theoretical as well as real-life applications of science-based dog training techniques.

With the expertise to write about a plethora of dog-related topics and a personal interest in dog cognition and behavior, Siddhika is an out-and-out canine nerd.