• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

Feefo logo
Live chat
Live chat
800-795-3294
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program Alumni
    • Service Dog Trainer Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Service Dog Trainer
MENUMENU
  • Programs
    • Dog Obedience Instructor
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Certification
      • Success Stories
      • Students Saving Lives
      • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Veterinary Assistant
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
    • Grooming Instruction Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
      • Find A Pet Groomer
    • On Campus Dog Trainer Program
      • Traditional Classroom Environment in Los Angeles California
      • Enroll Using Your Military Benefits
    • Continuing Education
      • Short Term Programs
    • Cat Management and Training
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Find A Cat Trainer
    • Aquarium Maintenance (online)
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Salary Information
      • What Is an Aquarist?
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Career
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Education & Experience Requirements
  • Military Benefits
  • GI Bill® Benefits
  • Locations
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Animal Career Resources
  • About ABC
        • About Animal Behavior College
        • Our Expert Faculty
        • Press, News & Info
        • Press Releases
        • BPPE Disclosures
        • Animal Behavior College FAQ
        • Contact Us
        • Why ABC?
        • Students Saving Lives
        • Licensure, Ratings & Approvals
        • Sponsors & Associates
        • Gift Certificates
  • Blog
  • Affiliates
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program Alumni
    • Service Dog Trainer Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
Home » Training » Dogs » Do Different Dog Breeds Learn Differently?

Do Different Dog Breeds Learn Differently?

kozorog/iStock

No, Different Dog Breeds Learn the Same

“Do different dog breeds learn differently?” is the most asked question, and it’s usually asked by purebred dog pet owners. As a professional dog trainer, I’m always happy to answer this question. If you’re curious if certain dog breeds learn differently, read below for a professional dog trainer’s take on different-breed dog training.

The Answer

Okay, here it goes! Each dog, regardless of breed, is an individual; and all dogs learn by following the same principles applied to human learning.

Yup, we use the same learning principles to teach:

  • Rhinos to hold their feet up for nail grinds
  • Silverback Gorillas to open their mouths for flossing
  • Fish how to perform tricks
  • Butterflies how to put on a show
  • Children to tie their shoes

I’ve trained hundreds of dogs, and each dog was able to learn the same behaviors given the same learning principles. While a dog’s specific breed can determine his ultimate dog training reward or reveal some aspects of his personality, it has nothing to do with his ability to learn new behavior.

But What About Bouviers Being Lazy or Pit Bulls Being Aggressive?

I cringe when someone mentions that Bouviers are lazy, Basset Hounds are slow, Terriers are untrainable, Rottweilers need a firm training hand or Poodles are the smartest breed. I also find it unsettling when I hear people say all Beagles howl, Irish Setters are ditzy, Chihuahuas are ankle biters, all Pit Bull Terriers are aggressive or other certain breeds requiring special training skills. These statements are simply not true, and I’m sure pet owners living with these different dog breeds would disagree too.

Let’s think about the question on whether or not different dog breeds learn differently another way. If certain breeds of dogs learn differently, how would we train mixed breed dogs? About 20-plus years ago, dog trainers were successfully teaching thousands of mixed breed dogs new behaviors—and that was before dog breed DNA testing. The only thing DNA testing for specific breeds has taught dog trainers is we were incorrectly assuming a mixed dog’s breed of origin. 🙂

Easiest Way to Train Any Dog Breed

Positive reinforcement is key and it works quickly! You’ve probably heard of positive reinforcement before and wonder what it had meant. Positive reinforcement is one of the four quadrants of operant conditioning, and it increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated.

Positive reinforcement means rewarding with a good thing whenever someone does a behavior you like. It’s important for professional dog trainers to have a thorough understanding of each quadrant and how it applies to dog training, as this is the foundation for all learning. If your dog trainer doesn’t know that, it’s time to find a better dog trainer.

Picking a Good Thing to Motivate Your Dog

Just because dogs are a certain breed, don’t assume certain breeds all like the same things. As pet owners, it’s our job to find each dog’s favorite “good thing” or ultimate reward and use it to teach polite behaviors.

Ignore your dog’s breed type and discover what your dog truly loves. As an example of how dog breed type can become quickly confusing, some Terriers may love bits of hot dogs instead of fetch, some Basset Hounds may find a fast game of tug more rewarding than treats and some Chihuahuas may find a game of fetch more rewarding than hugs and treats. Remember, learning depends on each individual dog’s personality and not his breed.

While your dog looks like a specific breed, he learns just like every other living being!

Primary Sidebar

Tags

educationhumane societystay dog training commandteach dog staytrain a dog to stayteach your dog to roll overtraining a dog to roll overtraveling with petsbenefits of rawhiderawhide bonesaspcadog jumpingtrain your dog to cometrain dog to jumphow to teach your dog to speaktraining dog to speakeasy dog trickshow to train a dog to play deadteach a dog to play deadtraining dog to play deadlick faceshake pawdog flash mobhow to teach a dog to stayteach dog to come when calledrequirementsanimal hospital jobsbest dog trainerchoose a dog trainerdog trainer ratesfind a dog trainerhow to find a dog trainerkeeperkennel attendantsvet assistant programvet assistant schoolveterinary care jobshow to get a job at a veterinary hospitalhow to teach a dog to comework in veterinary hospitalhow much do vet assistants makedog training toyskong dog toyhow to train your dog to sitteach your dog to sittrain dog to sittrain your dog to sitcome when calledhow do you train a dog to come when called every timedoggy dance
  • Main
    • Locations
    • Affiliates
    • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Find A Pet Groomer
    • Find a Cat Trainer
    • Post a Job
    • Evolution of ABC
  • Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Dog Groomer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Cat Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Service Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Education & Experience Requirements

Footer

Apex Career School - A subsidiary of Animal Behavior College


Interested in a career outside of the animal industry?
Visit our subsidiary school!

bbb logo

Rating A+ The BBB only accredits the business management of a school, not the quality of the curriculum, or training programs.

STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Click here to view Animal Behavior College’s Annual Reports
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Animal Behavior College, 27509 Avenue Hopkins, First Floor, Valencia CA 91355-3910 Contact Us
© 2000 - 2023 Animal Behavior College. Questions? email@animalbehaviorcollege.com
loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location