The 1 thing that makes smart breeds hard to train
Adem Fehmi, dog behaviourist and trainer at Barking Heads told Express.co.uk: “Intelligence in dogs can be difficult to measure. However, some breeds are naturally more observant than others and maybe more physiologically able.
“This can make training them easier and may present itself through a dog learning daily routines and habits more quickly and easily. With the right approach, these traits can also be useful when carrying out obedience training with your dog.”
Dog breeds that are typically observant and ‘intelligent’ include working dogs such as the Border Collie, Belgian Malinois, Labrador, Cocker Springer Spaniel, and Poodle.
These dogs have been selectively bred to be trained to carry out specific roles in their traditional ‘working’ homes, which can be beneficial when undertaking certain training in the pet home environment.
Still, Adem warned: “Choosing a breed that is typically considered intelligent does not always guarantee this trait will prevail or that the individual dog will be perceived as intelligent by their owner and the people around it.”
He said, “In my opinion, as a behaviourist and trainer, it is very much up to you, as the owner, to undertake appropriate training for your individual dog and its specific needs.”
The first step is to understand them as individuals. Adem suggests this helps them “understand our language, what we require of them, and the modern-day world.”
Of course, temperament also plays a factor in canine intelligence. For example, a high-energy, naturally anxious dog may present itself as ‘flighty’ or ‘clingy’ and then, for the average owner with little insight into dog behaviour, be harder to train than a more confident individual.
Meanwhile, a very confident and boisterous dog may have difficulty concentrating on training when presented with external stimuli it perceives as ‘exciting’ if it has not undertaken the necessary socialisation training for its needs.
In both of these cases, Adem warned that a common mistake owners make is failing to establish a “positive lure” that their dog values to initiate training. “Food treats or a loved toy are examples of positive lures that will also impact your dogs ability to be trained and achieve the label of being intelligent”, he said.
The dog behaviourist suggested that dog owners should alter their outlook on what they deem to be a sign that their dog is clever or smart.
Commonly, humans perceive a willingness to listen, calm and collected behaviour, fast responses to training commands, response to emotional cues, and good memory as indicators of an “intelligent” dog.
But this isn’t always the case. Working breeds like Cocker Spaniels may easily exhibit these signs when trained correctly, but some dogs don’t have the physical capacity to do so.
Adem said: “Breeds such as pugs, shar pei, and bulldogs, to name just a few, can be perceived as less intelligent simply because of their physiology, which makes it harder for them to express themselves, communicate, and learn.
“Some of these breeds may struggle with sight and movement; sadly, in some cases, some breeds may also struggle with obstructed or narrower airways.
“They perhaps even need to place a lot of focus on breathing rather than other external factors, including responding to their owner during training. This does not mean they are less intelligent; they simply are not as physically capable as some other breeds.”
Are you considering getting a dog? Read a list of the dog breeds deemed the easiest to train and those that rank the hardest to have as pets.
