When you hear a story about a dog bite victim, you probably picture someone being attacked by a breed of dog typically thought of as a “dangerous” or “aggressive” breed, like a Pitbull or a Rottweiler. But the fact is, any dog can be prone to bite under the right circumstances.
Certain breeds of dog are only considered “dangerous” because of the breed’s natural size, strength, and jaw force—bigger, stronger dogs with more powerful jaws will cause more damage when they bite, so they are generally considered more dangerous. But a dog’s tendency to bite has less to do with the inherent qualities of its breed and more to do with its owner’s ability to effectively train and socialize the animal.
In Kansas and Missouri, a dog owner can be held liable for any injuries resulting from their dog biting someone. Because you can reduce the risk of dog bite injuries by properly training and socializing your dog, no matter what the dog’s breed, when choosing a dog as a pet, you may want to consider choosing a breed of dog that is easier to train.
This article discusses which breeds of dog are easiest to train and explains why responsible training matters in preventing dog bite injuries in Kansas and Missouri.
Why Are Some Breeds of Dog Easier to Train than Others?
Training any kind of dog requires two things that many people don’t have a lot of—time and patience. Proper dog training requires a concerted investment of both. Exactly how much of an investment it takes may depend on which breed of dog you bring home because some dogs are easier (or more difficult) to train than others.
Just like people have individual learning styles and abilities, different dog breeds have different aptitudes for learning as well. In terms of learning capacity, human beings and dogs tend to be affected by similar factors. These include:
- Genetic traits and predispositions: Some dog breeds, like sheep dogs, are naturally more responsive to cues, while other breeds are naturally more independent. Likewise, a breed’s genetic intelligence is closely associated with a dog’s trainability.
- Environmental influences: A dog’s training outcomes are influenced by the environment in which they train and to which they have been exposed in the past. For example, early socialization to other animals, people, and other stimuli is critical to a dog’s training behavior. And training in a stressful environment or with distractions from other family members can influence how a dog responds to training.
- Developmental factors: Dogs are most impressionable and receptive to training as puppies. Like people, dogs get set in their ways as they get older.
So, it is important to know that certain breeds of dog are better suited for learning and easier to train because they are genetically more intelligent or naturally more responsive to commands. However, it is equally important to remember that the quality and timing of the training are also significant factors in how your dog behaves.
As Kansas City dog bite lawyers, most of the dog bite cases we have handled occurred not because of the breed of dog that was involved, but because the owner was not willing or able to properly train and supervise their dog, often because the dog was too difficult to train. Knowing which breeds of dog are easier to train can make a difference when selecting a new pet.
Which Dog Breeds Are Easiest to Train?
Here are some of the common breeds of dog that are traditionally considered the easiest breeds of dog to train.
Border Collie
Border collies are considered one of the smartest breeds of dog. Their intelligence allows them to be very responsive to commands and in tune with their owner. They have a strong work ethic and are extremely trainable. However, if you don’t keep them occupied, they can get bored easily and develop destructive behavior issues, like chewing household items.
German Shepherd
German shepherds are often used by law enforcement as service dogs because of their high intelligence, responsiveness, and obedience. When trained well, they are loyal to their owner and protective of their family. When not trained well, they can become distrustful and aggressive toward strangers.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are gentle and affectionate and have a reputation as a loyal family pet. They are very intelligent and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable.
Labrador Retriever
Like the Golden retriever, Labrador retrievers have a calm and gentle disposition and make excellent family pets. They are known as retrieval dogs because they enjoy “fetching” for their owner. They are enthusiastic about training and also make good service animals.
Papillon
The Papillon is a small “lap” dog that is one of the easier small dogs to train. They are intelligent, affectionate, and eager to please. They make good family companions.
Corgi
There are two breeds of Corgi, both of which are very trainable animals. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are small, herding dogs. They are intelligent and energetic, so they are trainable, but they can be stubborn when not motivated by their trainer. They are happiest when they receive regular exercise. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has similar traits to the Pembroke. They are loyal to their family and protective from strangers and other dogs. They train best when they are calm, usually after much exercise.
Miniature Schnauzer
The miniature Schnauzer is extremely loyal to their owner, which makes them highly trainable, though they can be stubborn when not properly motivated. They are known to bark incessantly, however.
Rottweiler
Though often thought of as a dangerous dog, the Rottweiler’s reputation is mostly associated with their intimidating figure and tremendous strength. Rottweilers are actually very intelligent and extremely trainable for the disciplined owner who puts in the time and effort. Rottweilers are fiercely loyal and are gentle and affectionate towards those they trust, but they require a firm trainer who commands respect and consistency. Because of their size and strength, and a notorious tendency for stubborn streaks, however, in the hands of the wrong owner, they can be quite difficult to train.
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Which Dog Breeds Are Most Difficult to Train?
For every breed of dog with traits that are conducive to successful training, there is a breed with traits that can make trainers want to pull their hair out. Here are some of the dog breeds that are most difficult to train.
Beagle
Training a Beagle can be challenging because they are easily distracted by their incredible sense of smell. They are high-energy dogs that like to be independent, so they do not easily respond to commands.
Siberian Husky
Behind the stunning beauty of the Siberian Husky lies the energy and independence of a mischievous toddler. Siberian Huskies are extremely active and require much exercise and mental stimulation. The trainer must be ready to rein them in (ideally with a leash when training) but willing to keep them active. When bored, they can become destructive.
Chinese Shar-Pei
Don’t let the folds of wrinkles on their faces fool you—the Shar-Pei can be a handful, especially around other animals. The Shar-Pei is independent and territorial, and they can become aggressive with anyone outside the pack (the family) if not properly socialized.
Bull Terrier
These mischievous mutts have boundless energy and love to play, which can make dutiful training a challenge. Although they respond well to positive reinforcement, training must be firm, structured, and consistent, and must begin when the dog is just a pup. Bull Terriers are extremely loyal but can race in every direction with a timid or undisciplined trainer.
Jack Russell Terrier
The biggest challenge when training the Jack Russell is their energy and prey drive (they love to chase smaller animals). When bored or confined, the Jack Russell can become destructive and a bit of a trouble-maker. Early socialization and endless exercise are key.
English Bulldog
With a reputation as a lazy, curmudgeonly couch potato, the English Bulldog is not often thought of as even remotely trainable. They prefer to be stationary and cuddled rather than responsive to commands, so training can be an uphill battle for this stubborn, lethargic breed. Their docile, sedentary nature lends itself to relatively calm, chaos-free training sessions, but don’t expect the Bulldog to be jumping through hoops or riding a skateboard. Pretending to be asleep may be their best trick.
Are More Trainable Dogs Less Likely to Bite?
Just because a dog is easier to train does not necessarily mean it is not going to bite. Any dog will bite if provoked, threatened, or compelled to protect itself, its owner, or its food. However, proper training increases the likelihood that the owner can influence or control the dog’s behavior when necessary.
When a dog is trained to be responsive to commands, the owner can more easily manipulate the dog’s natural responses to its environment. A more trainable dog is simply more easily directed to avoid circumstances or conditions under which a biting event is possible. Minimizing the opportunities for a dog to bite or become aggressive is the best way to reduce dog bite injuries.
So, what is the best way to train a dog to reduce dog bite injuries? The ASPCA recommends early socialization and proper training methods as the best means for dog bite prevention.
How Does Training and Socialization Reduce the Likelihood of Dog Bite Injuries?
Dogs that are not socialized to be around other dogs and animals can cause stress in the animal and in its owner. An unsocialized dog is easily frightened by other people or animals and is more likely to respond aggressively. Unsocialized dogs increase the risk of attacking other animals, jumping on small children, and biting innocent victims.
A socialized dog is not isolated in the house or penned in a fenced yard; it is introduced to people, animals, and things at an early age—though never forced. Socialization builds confidence and impulse control. When allowed to socialize naturally, the dog more easily adapts to strange environments without fear or aggression, thereby reducing the occasion to bite.
Of course, a dog’s training will only be successful if the owner employs an effective and proper training method. Research on proper training methods reveals that dogs trained with positive reinforcement and without the use of punishment-based techniques are less likely to demonstrate undesirable behaviors, like aggression and biting. And this can be accomplished by the dedicated owner in the home; attendance at formal training classes is shown to have minimal effect on the overall occurrence of undesirable behaviors in adult dogs.
For a parent or potential dog owner who wants to prevent dog bites and dog bite injuries and avoid the legal liability that comes with them, it may be best to:
- Choose a breed of dog that is easier to train
- Socialize the dog early, as a puppy
- Adopt a proper training method based on consistent positive reinforcement, not punishment
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Kansas and Missouri?
An owner’s liability for dog bites is different in Kansas and Missouri. If you are a dog owner in either state, it is important to know your responsibility for preventing your dog from biting and injuring another person.
In Kansas, an owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog if they knew or should have known that their dog had a tendency to be dangerous (for example, if the dog bit someone before). This is known as the “one-bite rule.” An owner also can be liable for negligence by failing to secure or control a dog that the owner knew to be dangerous. The owner would then be liable for injuries caused to the victim. Under Kansas’s comparable negligence rules, the owner’s liability may be reduced if the victim was partly at fault—perhaps for provoking the dog.
In Missouri, however, the owner is not protected by the “one-bite rule.” In Missouri, a dog owner is strictly liable for any injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog has no history of biting and the owner did not know the dog was dangerous. In Missouri, the victim does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you are considering buying a new dog, or if you have a dog that is not trained, or even if your dog is trained but you want to know how to avoid liability for dog bite injuries that your dog may cause, it is wise to speak with an experienced Kansas City dog bite lawyer.
A knowledgeable dog bite attorney can advise you on the specific dog bite laws in Kansas and Missouri so that you know exactly what you must do to avoid liability for injuries caused by your dog. At Foster Wallace, LLC, we have successfully represented dog bite owners and dog bite victims alike. Our goal is to help educate all dog owners to reduce the likelihood of dog bite injuries by:
- Choosing a dog breed that is easy to train and is gentle with children
- Purchasing a new dog only if you are willing and able to commit yourself and your dog to consistent and proper training based on positive reinforcement, not punishment
- Socializing your dog as a puppy so that it learns to be comfortable and confident around other animals and people
- Responsibly securing, leashing, supervising, and caring for your dog at all times to avoid any occasion for the dog to become aggressive, bite, or injure another person
Need Advice from a Kansas City Dog Bite Attorney? Contact Us Today
Training your dog is critical for preventing dog bite injuries, but it is no guarantee for avoiding liability. If your dog bites or injures another person, or if you or your child are injured by someone else’s dog, call the Kansas City dog bite attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, at (816) 249-2101.
