Do You Have the Dumbest Dog?

Many dog owners become frustrated when training their dogs, each claiming that he/she must have the dumbest dog in the world. A discussion of whose dog is actually THE dumbest could take a while, but the truth is that all dogs are smart, sometimes smart enough to outwit their masters! They may understand what you want them to do, they just don't feel like cooperating at the time.

While some dog breeds have higher intelligence levels than others, breeds that are generally known to be easily trained have more of a desire to please humans than those breeds who are more independent in spirit. Some dogs just prefer to do their own thing and are harder to distract from an instinctual activity, like trailing scents or chasing small animals.

These ten breeds, as chosen by a survey of 200 professional dog show judges, are considered among the hardest-to-train breeds:

Basset Hound. Known for their superb ability to recognize scents, Bassets love nothing more than to be on the trail and are determined trackers. The Basset Hound's friendly, gentle nature has made this breed a popular family companion for decades, in spite of a notorious reputation for being hard to housebreak. It requires much time and patience to properly train a Basset, but results in wonderful companion for families with children.

Beagle. Cheerful, affectionate little dogs who have an independent nature. Beagles are great dogs for kids, although they tend not to come when called. They are likely to wander off following a scent trail and chase any small running animal, even your cats.

Mastiff. This large breed is intimidating in appearance, but a well-raised Mastiff is gentle, affectionate and devoted to his family. Families who consider choosing a Mastiff as a family companion should have some experience with dominant dogs, and be able to commit the large amount of time their dog's socialization and training will require. Mastiffs make excellent guard dogs, but should be professionally trained for this occupation. The owner should participate in training so he will be able to control this massive dog, and teach the methods to the family.

Pekingese. These tiny dogs are well known for their huge personalities. Pekingese are considered one of the most difficult dogs to train, with domineering and independent behavior that can create chaos when left unchecked! Pekingese are extremely brave and willing to run the household if no one else shows strong leadership. This breed requires firm, gentle handling that teaches the dog its proper place in the household, never treated as a child or plaything. "Small Dog Syndrome" is the result of an overindulgent owner; the victims have simply outsmarted their owners!

Bloodhound. Actually one of the most intelligent breeds, the Bloodhound is single-minded in his mission when tracking scents. Much patience and gentle authority is needed to train a Bloodhound, but the result is a gentle, affectionate companion who loves nothing more than to go hunting with you!

Borzoi. Also called the Russian Wolfhound, this breed is artistocratic in appearance. Just like human royalty, Borzoi often do as they please. They don't care much if they please their masters, but can be quite affectionate with their masters and other people they know well. Short, consistent training sessions work best.

Chow Chow. These are often considered "one-person" dogs, although modern breeders are producing Chows with a family-friendly temperament. As a breed, Chows tend to be extremely stubborn and quite possessive of their owners. Naturally wary of strangers, they make excellent watch dogs.

Bulldog. Menacing in appearance, bulldogs are actually quite gentle, affectionate dogs who love children. Bred to guard and control bulls, these tough little dogs need patient training but can be excellent family guard dogs.

Tips for Training a "Dumb" Dog

For your dog's own safety, and your own peace of mind, he needs to learn to come when called and the sit/stay/down commands, at the very least. Obeying your commands can prevent him from running into traffic or getting into a fight with another animal.

Some dog breeds are characteristically so single-minded and determined to have their way that they require great patience on the owner's behalf. Working dog breeds, especially, were bred to act independently in their duties and our modern-day family companions still carry these traits. If you've been struggling with training the dumbest dog in the world, then here are a few tips to put you one up on the dog. Just hope your dog isn't smart enough to read!

Short, consistent training sessions with the use of positive reinforcement as a reward is the most effective way to train a dog who just doesn't seem to want to be trained. He's not stupid, he's bored by repetition. Reinforce your dog's training regularly, even if he seems to "get it" the first time.

Keep your patience. Dogs don't respond well to harsh words or being struck. Your dog will become distrustful of you and other humans. Use kind, gentle words but keep a firm attitude. End training sessions if you become frustrated. You may have to accept that your dog isn't going to be trained to follow advanced commands, and just love him for the goofy old critter he is.

Consider joining beginning obedience classes with your dog if you are unable to train your dog to follow basic commands. Even professional dog trainers may become frustrated with hard-to-train dogs, but can help you find the most effective training methods for your dog.