Ever ask a dog to sit… and they just blink at you?
That’s stubbornness — and it’s real. Some dogs simply have their own ideas. It’s not bad behavior. It’s pure, proud independence at work.
Being stubborn doesn’t mean they aren’t smart. In fact, it’s the opposite. These dogs think before they act. Sometimes, they decide it’s just not worth their time — and honestly, respect.
In today’s world, stubborn dogs are total celebrities. They have big moods and even bigger personalities. TikTok loves them. So do people who appreciate a little drama with their daily cuddles.
Training a stubborn dog feels like starring in a sitcom. You need snacks, patience, and a good sense of humor. Shouting won’t work — they’ll just side-eye you and go back to napping. Winning their heart takes true charm.
If you want a dog with sass and soul, you’re in for a treat. These pups have big minds and even bigger hearts. They make you laugh, cry, and love them even harder. Ready to meet the most independent pups out there?
The 7 Stubborn Dog Breeds
1. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are the Olympians of doing their own thing. Bred to work across frozen wastelands, they didn’t exactly need a human shouting “sit.” These strong-willed dogs have instincts that tell them to survive first, listen second.
Ask a Husky to “stay,” and you might just get a bored yawn. Their independent streak is legendary among working dogs, and yes — they know they’re gorgeous. Training sessions feel more like polite negotiations than obedience training.
AKC recommends that these stubborn pups require serious mental stimulation, or they’ll turn your backyard into a personal art project. Think puzzles, sled pulls, or anything that triggers their ancient breed instincts. Don’t expect easy wins here.
They aren’t picky eaters — they’ll gulp down anything that smells remotely like food. But when it comes to grooming, oh boy: expect flying fur everywhere. A Husky shedding season is a full-blown event.
Pro tip for dog owners: Start training at a young age. Use positive reinforcement with small pieces of reward treats, and cling to your patience like a lifeboat. A professional trainer might save your sanity (and your shoes).
Huskies are intelligent but hilariously stubborn breeds that tend to “forget” every lesson once the leash comes off. Recall? That’s a nice dream. Just invest in a good fence and accept your fate.
If you want a loyal, chaotic, furry force of nature, congratulations — you’ve met your match. Huskies aren’t lost causes; they just think you’re the one who’s lost.
2. Shiba Inu
Shiba Inus are not your pets; they are your tiny furry landlords. As an ancient breed, they didn’t evolve to follow commands — they evolved to rule their little kingdoms. Think of them as cats who learned to bark just for fun.
These stubborn breeds are packed with intelligence and sass. They know what you want — they just don’t care most of the time. Their default setting is “ignore unless food appears.”
Forget easy dog training here; teaching a Shiba anything requires Jedi-level patience. Positive reinforcement works if you can keep their focus longer than three seconds. Bonus points if you can make training sessions seem like their idea.
Oh, they’re picky eaters too. If it’s not premium, organic, or blessed by gourmet chefs, they’ll turn their tiny noses up in disgust. Don’t expect gratitude.
Grooming? Yeah, expect drama. Shibas shed twice a year — and when they blow their coats, it looks like a cartoon snowstorm inside your house.
Dog owners should remember: mental stimulation is key. Try hunting games, brain toys, and reward-based challenges that tap into their strong prey drive instincts. Otherwise, you’re just a butler in their royal court.
3. Dachshund
Dachshunds may look like hot dogs, but they’ve got the soul of a warrior. Bred to hunt badgers, these little hounds are fearless, stubborn, and absolutely convinced they’re 10 feet tall.
Purina explains that their intelligence is top-tier, but don’t expect automatic obedience. Dachshunds frequently prefer doing their own thing, especially if there’s a scent trail nearby. Teaching them to follow commands often feels like asking a rock to move.
These stubborn pups thrive on food rewards — small pieces of meat or cheese work wonders. Training sessions should be short, sweet, and hilarious because they will test your patience every two minutes.
Picky eaters? Not usually. But when they’re done with a meal, they’re done — no begging them back to the bowl. Grooming is chill, but nail trimming tends to spark a full-blown emotional meltdown.
Activity-wise, think toys that tap into their hunting instincts. Games like find-the-treat or chase-the-squeaky help focus their wild energy without losing your mind.
Pro tip: Early obedience training is non-negotiable for this breed. Start young, keep it fun, and know when to call in professional help — or risk being outsmarted daily by a living loaf.
4. Chinese Shar-Pei
Ever met a dog who looks at you like you’re wasting their time? Meet the Chinese Shar-Pei. This ancient breed has the calm, calculating patience of someone who’s seen it all — and decided it’s mostly nonsense.
Their independent streak is strong enough to knock over a grown person’s ego. Shar-Peis don’t just follow humans; they tolerate us. You ask them to sit, and they ponder whether it’s worth it.
Dog training with a Shar-Pei feels like a college philosophy course. Positive reinforcement and gentle repetition help, but don’t expect sporting breeds’ eagerness. This is stubbornness with wrinkles — lots of wrinkles.
Food motivation? Eh, it’s hit or miss. Offer small, tasty rewards and hope for the best. Some Shar-Peis will sniff, squint, and walk away like you offended them with basic chicken.
Grooming drama? Minimal. Their short coat needs easy maintenance, but skin folds demand regular cleaning — ignore it, and you’ll fight infections and stubbornness at the same time.
Dog owners need to start training early and socialize like it’s their second job. Shar-Peis are wary of strangers and dogs, and their strong-willed dogs’ behavior needs proactive, skilled shaping.
If you crave a challenge and admire fierce loyalty, a Shar-Pei might be the stubborn soulmate you never knew you needed. Just remember: in their minds, they’re doing you a favor.
5. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are tiny but come with a full-sized attitude. They weren’t bred to work, herd, or hunt — they were bred to rule. Every stubborn twitch of their little body screams, “I’m in charge here.”
Training sessions with a Chihuahua feel like entering verbal negotiations without speaking the same language. They’re intelligent enough to understand commands — they just choose to ignore them whenever possible.
Food? Absolute divas. One day they adore chicken, the next day it’s dead to them. Use small pieces of super high-value treats to maybe coax them into behaving for five minutes.
PetPlan notes that grooming is fairly low drama — unless you dare to touch their royal paws. Then it’s fight-or-flight mode. Be aware: nail trims might require an entire SWAT team.
Activity levels? Surprisingly high. These stubborn pups need mental stimulation, small obstacle courses, and plenty of fetch to keep their sass under control.
Dog owners should start training from a young age. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a six-pound dictator who refuses recall like it’s a dirty word.
Positive reinforcement works, but you’ll need creativity, patience, and possibly bribes. Lots and lots of tiny, crunchy bribes.
6. English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are basically four-legged anchors. Once they decide they’re not moving, they’re not moving. This is one of the most stubborn dog breeds, and honestly? It’s part of the charm.
Obedience training with a Bulldog often feels like arguing with a couch. They understand you, sure — but if your request interrupts their nap schedule, good luck getting results.
Bulldogs aren’t fussy eaters; they’ll inhale food like it’s a professional sport. Use food rewards during training sessions, but portion wisely — these sturdy pets pack on pounds faster than you’d expect.
Grooming is a mild headache thanks to their adorable skin folds. Keeping them clean and dry is key unless you want to fight infections and a bad mood.
Exercise needs are low, but Bulldogs still need stimulation. Puzzle toys and short walks are perfect to keep their brains active without exhausting their stout bodies.
Start training early with positive reinforcement and lots of rewards. Bulldogs respond better when they think there’s something delicious at the end of their request.
Dog owners need humor, love, and a very strong leash. Think of Bulldogs as lovable rebels — they’ll eventually listen… but only when it suits their schedule.
7. Beagle
If curiosity had a mascot, it would be a Beagle. These stubborn pups have one setting: follow the nose, question everything later. Training a Beagle feels like playing tug-of-war with their instincts.
PDSA reports that they come from hunting and hound stock, bred to work independently in the field. Asking them to “stay” while a squirrel dashes by? Good luck. Their prey drive is strong enough to carry them across state lines.
Positive reinforcement is a must, and you’ll need high-value rewards to even have a chance at breaking through. Expect training sessions to be loud, messy, and filled with snack negotiations.
Beagles are not picky eaters. In fact, if it remotely resembles food, it’s already in their stomach. Hide the garbage. You’ve been warned.
Grooming is blissfully easy, but the real battle is mental stimulation. If you don’t keep a Beagle busy, they’ll find their own entertainment — usually involving destruction.
Early obedience training is essential for Beagles to focus those brilliant but chaotic instincts. Start young and invest heavily in recall drills unless you love playing “Catch Me If You Can.”
Dog owners who understand the art of patience and humor will find that, under all that stubbornness, Beagles are pure sunshine. (Just don’t forget the leash.)
Final Thoughts
If stubbornness were an Olympic sport, these dogs would already have gold medals—and then refuse to attend the ceremony. Independent streaks aren’t a flaw; they’re a personality flex, and frankly, we’re here for it.
Sure, strong-willed dogs can make training sessions feel like negotiating with a furry CEO. But with a little patience (and a lot of small treats), even the most stubborn pups can become examples of loyalty and love. It’s all about understanding a dog’s behavior—and maybe calling in a professional dog trainer before you lose your mind.
And hey, it’s not just the dogs we covered today. Shout-out to honorable mentions like the genius-level Border Collie, the fiery Jack Russell Terrier, the noble Akita, and even our sweet, golden-hearted Golden Retrievers. Not every breed that’s “easy to train” skips the occasional sass attack.
At the end of the day, stubbornness doesn’t matter as much as heart. Whether your dog is part of the classic herding breeds, a mischievous terrier, or just a one-of-a-kind animal with attitude, what counts is the bond you build along the way.
Now, it’s your turn, folks! Drop a comment, share your stories about your own strong-willed sidekick, or tell us which breed had you laughing—or crying—during obedience training.
Because when it comes to loving these independent spirits, it’s not about control. It’s about embracing the chaos… one stubborn wag at a time.
