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Not necessarily. Some dogs are less inclined to focus on a person or work continuously with a handler, so training may call for more patience and a better-matched reward. But evidence does not show that “independent breeds” are inherently harder to train as a group, and a breed label cannot predict how a particular dog will learn.
What does “harder to train” mean?
Trainability is not one simple ability. Learning a cue, responding when distracted, working quickly, persisting at a task, and choosing to cooperate are different outcomes. A dog may learn a behavior readily but be slower to perform it around distractions; a study measuring speed may therefore tell a different story from one measuring accuracy or how quickly a dog masters a task.
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“Independent” is useful as a plain-language description of a dog that may not naturally orient to or work with a person for long stretches. It is not a standardized scientific category, and the sources do not establish a formal group of “independent breeds” or a common everyday-training test for comparing them. Independence alone is not evidence that a dog is unintelligent, defiant, or untrainable.
What research can—and cannot—say about breed
Breed tendencies do not determine an individual dog’s outcome
A review summarized by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) found that some breed descriptions correspond with observed tendencies, while other characterizations are not reliable predictors. The literature on trainability draws heavily on owner and practitioner surveys, which can be affected by inaccurate reporting and cultural expectations. The review also notes wide variation within breeds and that commonly studied breeds do not represent all dogs. Those limits make a universal claim about independent breeds too strong. Read the review by Mehrkam and Wynne.
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Heritability is not an individual prediction
A 2019 study analyzed behavioral data from more than 14,000 dogs representing 101 breeds alongside genetic data. It reported an among-breed heritability estimate of 0.73 for trainability. That figure describes variation between breeds in the study population and for the measure used; it does not mean that 73% of an individual dog’s trainability is genetic, or predict how that dog will respond to training. See the study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Task and physical ability can affect apparent trainability
In a 2010 agility-related study, dogs in groups perceived as having high or low trainability differed in speed, but not significantly in precision performance or the time needed to master precision. The author concluded that the results better supported an explanation based on physical capability than cognition. This finding concerns agility comparisons, not every kind of training. Read Helton’s study.
Experience and motivation matter, too
A 2016 study of 128 dogs across four breed groups compared trained and non-trained dogs on a puzzle-box task and a detour task. Trained dogs did better on some measured aspects, while breed-group differences appeared only for particular outcomes rather than forming a consistent general ranking. These problem-solving tasks do not directly measure household obedience, but they illustrate why experience and the task being tested matter. Read the study.
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A 2024 study of learning across selected breed clades examined discrimination, reversal learning, and resistance to extinction. Its discussion describes breed differences alongside conflicting earlier findings, and emphasizes the combined influence of inherited predispositions, life experience, motivation, reward responsiveness, and individual differences. Its selected groups and specific cognitive tasks do not establish a leaderboard for home training. Read the study.
Why a dog may seem to ignore a cue
A dog that does not respond is not necessarily refusing to learn. The setting may be too distracting, the dog may not yet understand the cue, or the available reward may not be worthwhile to that individual. The task may also compete with interests the dog is naturally drawn to. Breed tendencies can help owners anticipate possible interests, but breed alone cannot diagnose why a particular dog is disengaging.
Food and toys work as rewards for many dogs, but dogs differ in what they find motivating. The practical question is not which reward should work for every dog; it is what makes the desired behavior worth doing for this dog in this situation.
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How to adapt training for an independent dog
- Make the goal specific. Choose one observable behavior at a time, such as looking toward you when called or settling on a mat. Clear goals make it easier to notice progress and reward the right response.
- Find a reward your dog values. Try food, play, or another appropriate reward, and observe what holds the dog’s attention. Treats are one option, not a universal solution.
- Begin where your dog can succeed. Practice in a calm setting before adding distance, duration, or distractions. If your dog disengages, make the task easier or change the setting rather than simply repeating the cue.
- Reward the behavior you want. Use brief, clear practice and deliver the reward promptly when your dog makes the desired choice. Build up difficulty gradually as the behavior becomes more reliable.
- Get qualified help when needed. If a problem persists or involves fear, aggression, or safety, consult a qualified professional who uses humane, evidence-based methods.
These are practical ways to apply reward-based training, not a tested formula guaranteed to work for every dog.
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AVSAB recommends reward-based methods for all dog training and behavior modification. Its 2025 board statement says its 2021 Humane Dog Training Position Statement remains its current and authoritative view. AVSAB cautions against aversive methods, including electronic collars, prong collars, choke chains, leash corrections, and physical or psychological punishment. Read AVSAB’s position statements and trainer-selection guidance.
AVSAB does not endorse or oppose trainers from any specific organization, and its guidance should not be taken as an endorsement of individual providers. When seeking help, ask how the trainer handles unwanted behavior and what methods they use; a qualified professional should be able to explain a humane, evidence-based approach.
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What to compare when choosing between dogs
There is no evidence-based easiest-to-hardest ranking of breeds in the reviewed sources. If you are comparing individual dogs, consider the factors that will shape training in your home:
- The task: What do you need the dog to learn, and in what settings?
- Attention to a handler: Does the dog readily check in with people, or tend to focus on the environment?
- Motivation: What rewards appear valuable to this dog?
- Distractions and interests: What captures the dog’s attention, and can you meet its needs?
- Experience: What training has the dog already had?
- Your routine: Can you provide the time, consistency, exercise, and enrichment the dog needs?
These are practical comparison questions, not a validated scoring system. They are more useful for matching a dog to an owner than relying on a broad breed label alone.
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