Lorna Winter, dog trainer and co-founder of puppy training app Zigzag
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to puppy training, but some breeds are trickier than others.
Lorna Winter, dog trainer and co-founder of puppy training app Zigzag, said that all dog breeds are wired differently – and training some dogs might require your ‘inner zen master.’
ZigZag’s research found that early puppyhood and ‘doggolescence’ can be challenging, with a third (33 percent) of dog owners saying their dog had increased energy levels at the adolescent stage.
Six breeds, in particular, can require extra love and attention when training – and might pose challenges for owners, Winter said.
‘Looking after a puppy of any kind is no easy feat, but we can acknowledge that some breeds are proven to be a little trickier to train than others,’ she said.
‘While there are no inherently ‘bad dogs’, different puppy breeds require different levels of attention and needs throughout their development.’
Beagles
Beagles make fantastic family pets and are known to be great companions for kids.
Winter said: ‘This breed is like super-detectives when it comes to sniffing out scents, and it’s in their DNA to go on scent-seeking adventures.
‘This means that when it comes to training, they might get a little distracted and be more challenging to train!’
Beagles can be difficult to train but are fantastic family pets
The key to mastering the breed is to remember that beagles are very ‘treat-driven.’
Winter said: ‘This means that when they do a good job at toilet training, recall or walking on a lead, you can reward them with treats, and they’ll associate the good behavior with yummy rewards.’
‘Beagles go through adolescence at around the six-to 12-month mark – which means that even when you think you’ve taught the basics, they may likely forget what you’ve taught them during this time.
‘Have patience and continue to train them as you did in the early few weeks – they’ll get the hang of it!’
Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell terriers can pose a challenge due to their strong prey drive
Jack Russell Terriers, compact and robust in stature, were selectively bred to bolt foxes from their dens during hunts.
Winter said, ‘These terriers are recognized for their exceptionally strong prey drive, which can sometimes pose a little challenge during the training process, making them one of the more demanding breeds to work with.’
The key to training Jack Russells is to use up some of that energy, Winter said.
Winter said, ‘Jack Russell Terriers have bundles of energy, so finding a way for your little one to exert some of this energy will make your life a little easier when it comes to training, as they won’t be supercharged with the need to run and play!
‘Make sure to implement some mental activities like puzzle games, and give them plenty of regular walks in between training and rest; it will allow you to train a calmer version of your dog.’
French Bulldog
French bulldogs pose their own unique challenges
Beware that French Bulldogs can be a relatively independent breed of dog, and sometimes it might feel like you need them more than they need you!
Winter said, ‘You should start training your French Bulldog puppy as soon as you get them home.
‘Puppy brains are a lot bigger than we think, and they soak up so much good information despite their young age.
The key is to start early, Winter said.
‘We know that all you’ll probably want to do is cuddle them and kiss them, but they’re clever dogs who love to please, so get started with teaching them the ropes as soon as you can to improve the chances of having a very well behaved dog, you might even be able to teach them some tricks early on,’ said Winter.
Border collies
Border collies can be a handful
Border collies can be challenging because they have high (perhaps even more than high) energy levels and require a (very) active home.
They are definitely not the kind of dog who’d enjoy a more sedentary owner, Winter said.
Winter said, ‘They are outstandingly smart and will respond well to training. Border Collies kind of need training to keep them stimulated. Every single day. No pressure!
‘Don’t expect them to lose that herding instinct. Sorry, but it won’t happen. It’s much better to give them an appropriate outlet for their stalking and flanking so they won’t feel like chasing anything that moves.’
‘Border Collies are affectionate and have worked for the praise of shepherds for years; give them lots of encouragement.’
German Shepherd
German shepherds are not best suited for city life
It’s important to train your German Shepherd puppy as soon as you get them home from the breeders – they are like sponges at this age!
Winter said, ‘Larger guarding breeds such as German Shepherds are unlikely to cope well living in an inner city. I
‘In the hustle and bustle, superactive breeds may struggle to get enough stimulation and appropriate exercise in the city. In turn, this can cause behavior that might make training difficult.
Cavapoo
Cavapoos can pose problems at night
They may look super cute and fluffy, but don’t let that fool you – they are very busy little dogs who will find plenty of mischief if they have to!
Winter said, ‘Night time might be tricky at first – your Cavapoo will want to sleep near to you. To stop them crying, you can have them in a bed or crate beside you during the first few weeks while they’re settling in. It’s likely they will wake in the night for a toilet break, so be prepared to be a bit sleep-deprived for the first week or so!
‘Don’t let them cry it out; a few barks and whimpers are fine. But being left alone to cry is stressful for them.’
