These highly intelligent dogs may be brilliant, but they make training difficult.
Some people think a smart dog automatically means an easy-to-train dog, but that’s not always the case. Intelligence can be a double-edged sword—some of the smartest breeds are also the most stubborn. If they don’t see the point in a command, they might just ignore it. Instead of blindly following orders, they often weigh their options and decide whether it benefits them.
Clever dogs also pick up bad habits just as fast as good ones, which can make training frustrating. Without clear leadership and consistent rules, they’ll figure out ways to do what they want, whether that means opening doors, sneaking food, or outsmarting their owners. These dogs need plenty of mental stimulation, or they’ll create their own fun, which usually involves mischief. If they’re not given structure, they can become little escape artists, expert manipulators, or masters of selective hearing.
1. Border Collies are brilliant but demand a full-time job.
Border Collies consistently rank as the most intelligent dog breed. Their exceptional intelligence and work ethic make them quick learners. However, their high energy and intense focus can make them challenging for inexperienced owners. Without proper mental and physical stimulation, they may become bored and destructive. According to Purina, they need tasks that engage both their minds and bodies to stay happy.
These dogs thrive in environments where they have work to do, whether it’s herding livestock or competing in agility sports. Without structure, they’ll create their own entertainment, which often means tearing through furniture or herding children. If you’re not ready to dedicate hours a day to their exercise and mental stimulation, a Border Collie might run circles around you—literally.
2. Poodles are clever enough to manipulate their owners.
Poodles are renowned for their intelligence and trainability. However, their cleverness can lead to stubbornness if not properly channeled. They require consistent, engaging training to prevent boredom and mischievous behavior. According to AKC, Poodles are quick learners but can become willful if they sense inconsistency in training.
If you allow them to get away with something once, they will remember and exploit that weakness. Their ability to problem-solve means they can figure out how to get what they want, whether that’s sneaking food off the counter or training you to reward their demands. Without firm boundaries, Poodles can easily take control of the household in subtle but effective ways.
3. German Shepherds are highly intelligent but require firm leadership.
German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent and versatile dogs. Their strong protective instincts and high energy levels can make them difficult to manage without proper training and socialization from an early age. These dogs need structure, discipline, and a confident owner who can guide them through their learning process. According to PetMD, German Shepherds can quickly pick up commands, but their intelligence means they also recognize when an owner is inconsistent or hesitant.
Without strong leadership, they may assume the role themselves, which can lead to dominance issues. Their protective nature means they need early exposure to different people and environments to prevent excessive guarding behaviors. If they aren’t given a clear job and proper training, they can become anxious or reactive, making them difficult to handle.
4. Siberian Huskies are independent thinkers who choose when to listen.
While not always listed in the top 10 for intelligence, Huskies are known for their independent thinking and problem-solving skills. This independence, combined with their high energy and strong prey drive, can make them challenging to train consistently. According to Rocky Kanaka, Huskies are notorious for ignoring commands when they don’t see an immediate benefit.
They are escape artists that can figure out how to open doors, jump fences, and even slip out of harnesses. Training a Husky requires patience and creativity because they get bored easily and need constant motivation. Unlike breeds that live to please their owners, Huskies are more concerned with their own adventures, which means recall training can be especially difficult.
5. Beagles are smart, but their noses make them impossible to control.
Beagles are intelligent scent hounds with a strong nose-driven nature. Their powerful sense of smell can easily distract them during training, making it difficult to maintain their focus and teach reliable recall. Once they catch an interesting scent, their instincts take over, and they become completely deaf to commands.
Even the most well-trained Beagle can suddenly ignore their owner if they pick up a compelling smell. This makes off-leash training particularly difficult, as they may wander off in pursuit of a scent without realizing how far they’ve gone. Beagles require patient training with high-value rewards to hold their attention. If training sessions aren’t engaging enough, they’ll find something more interesting—like tracking a scent across the neighborhood. Owners need to be persistent and use positive reinforcement to keep their Beagle interested in listening.
6. Jack Russell Terriers are small but have unstoppable energy.
These small but mighty dogs are incredibly smart and energetic. Their high prey drive and tendency to become bored easily can lead to destructive behavior if not properly trained and exercised. They are known for their ability to escape enclosures, dig up yards, and chase anything that moves.
Because of their intelligence, Jack Russells need a job to do, or they will create one for themselves—usually something that involves tearing apart household objects. Training them requires firm boundaries and constant engagement, or they will quickly develop bad habits. Their strong personalities mean they don’t respond well to harsh corrections, so positive reinforcement works best. A tired Jack Russell is a well-behaved Jack Russell, and without enough activity, they can become a whirlwind of chaos.
7. Chow Chows are intelligent but act like they don’t care.
Chow Chows are intelligent but notoriously stubborn. Their aloof nature and lack of desire to please their owners can make training a significant challenge, requiring patience and consistency. They tend to have an independent mindset, making them resistant to repetitive training sessions.
Unlike breeds that thrive on human interaction, Chow Chows prefer to do things on their own terms. If training isn’t approached with respect and positive reinforcement, they may simply ignore commands. While they can learn quickly, they often act as if they’re above following orders. Early socialization is crucial to prevent them from becoming overly aloof or territorial. Owners who expect an eager-to-please attitude will be in for a rude awakening.
8. Afghan Hounds understand commands but don’t feel the need to follow them.
Despite their elegant appearance, Afghan Hounds are independent thinkers. Their lack of motivation for food rewards and disinterest in pleasing their owners can make training sessions frustrating. They excel at problem-solving but often choose not to respond to commands unless they feel like it.
These dogs require an experienced owner who understands their aloof nature. Training an Afghan Hound is about convincing them that listening to you is in their best interest rather than expecting automatic obedience. Unlike other breeds, they don’t thrive on constant praise or affection. If they find training repetitive or uninteresting, they will simply disengage. Afghan Hounds need a patient trainer who can make learning fun without relying too much on food bribes.
9. Alaskan Malamutes are strong, stubborn, and always testing boundaries.
Similar to Huskies, Malamutes are intelligent working dogs with a strong independent streak. Their size, strength, and stubbornness can make them difficult to control without proper training. They are known for pushing limits and seeing how much they can get away with.
Malamutes need firm and consistent training with plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Without it, they can become destructive or unmanageable. They are natural problem-solvers, which means they will find creative ways to test their owners. Left untrained, they can develop bad habits like excessive digging, howling, or resource guarding. If not given enough daily exercise, they’ll turn that pent-up energy into mischief.
10. Basset Hounds are smart, but their laziness gets in the way.
Basset Hounds are intelligent scent hounds, but their stubborn nature and powerful nose can make them challenging to train. They can easily become distracted by interesting smells, making it difficult to maintain their focus during training sessions. Unlike high-energy breeds, their issue isn’t hyperactivity—it’s motivation.
They often decide that following commands isn’t worth the effort unless there’s a strong incentive involved. Training a Basset Hound requires patience, persistence, and plenty of rewards to keep them engaged. Their laid-back attitude means they don’t respond well to rigid training methods, so short, fun sessions work best. If the training feels too much like work, they may just lie down and refuse to participate.