First off, there is no such thing as an un
#1 – Afghan Hound
These sighthounds needed to think for themselves to keep track of the prey instead of looking to their owner for direction. These days, those traits are displayed as being aloof and independent. They make up for their lack of obedience by being extremely affectionate and loyal.
Most cases however, are simply overly energetic dogs that may not be getting sufficient exercise and routine to their day, or who are being accidentally rewarded when they act excitedly (see Play and Exercise and Using Enrichment, Predictability, and Scheduling to Train Your Dog).
Some dogs are easier to train while others are harder--it has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather on the genetic makeup of that dog's specific breed.
Bull Terrier:
They can be one of the hardest dogs to train. Bull Terriers are known for their strong personalities and determination. They can be stubborn and willful, requiring firm and consistent training. Positive reinforcement methods, such as using rewards and praise, are crucial.
Approximately 35% of owners and trainers voted 8-9 months as the toughest age citing new challenging behaviors associated with their puppy's now larger size such as pulling on the leash or counter-surfing.
Dogs have been selectively bred for hundreds of years, developing specific physical traits and enhancing working abilities to create specialized dogs that can learn some training and behaviors more quickly than others. “Smart” dogs aren't necessarily more trainable.
The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from just an age related phase, not adequate training, fear, or just simple distraction issues. The first step a frustrated owner should take is to try to assess WHY their dog is not taking a command, as the solution differs for each reason.
Males tend to be larger in height and weight than female dogs. So if the size of your dog is a considering factor and you don't have much space consider a female vs a male dog. Female dogs tend to reach maturity faster than males. Making training slightly easier than with a male dog the same age.
The dog breed with the highest IQ is the Border Collie, followed by other smart pups like the Belgian Malinois, Poodle, and German Shepherd. Dogs showcase several types of intelligence including instinctual intelligence, obedience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to problem-solve.
The Pit Bull is the most common dog breed (along with pit bull breed mixes) found in shelters in the United States. They are also the most abused, neglected, and the most euthanized.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
Yelling at your dog does not work because it will just get him more stressed or it will only increase his energy level and how excited he is about the situation.
Getting your dog to reliably come when called is known as recall, and it's important for all dog owners. Some reasons dogs don't come when called include distraction, confusion, or fear. Gradual training and positivity are ways to help build a reliable recall so your dog will come when called.
While it might seem counterintuitive, ignoring your dog can sometimes work as a useful training tool. The idea is that when you react to an unwanted behavior, you are actually rewarding the behavior. So ignoring behavior is particularly helpful when what the dog seeks is your attention.
The Best Time to Start Training
Puppy training begins a lot earlier than some dog owners would think. Most start around twelve weeks, but the truth is that you should begin at about eight weeks instead.
Badly behaved dogs are often the smartest, reported The Times. Katriina Tiira, from the University of Helsinki, has assessed about 5,000 dogs for traits such as logical reasoning and problem solving. She found a surprising pattern. “Intelligent dogs are not nicer pets,” she said.
According to many experts, the answer is no, although some breeds may be better adapted to certain tasks. For example, working dogs have been bred to understand and follow commands. In 1994, Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, published “The Intelligence of Dogs”.
Although some things are best taught to dogs while they're still young, your dog can still learn in any stage of their life. The process may be harder, and it may take longer with certain types of training, but all hope is not lost with your older dog — actually, far from it.
Female dogs tend to be easier to housebreak, easier to train, and more connected with their owners—but in certain circumstances they can be more demanding of attention. Aggression can be a problem in any dog of any breed, however it is usually more apparent in non-neutered males.