Do you agree? The more dominant the dog, the higher the intelligence and trainability?

Question

I mean in experienced hands that is.. from what I have experienced I think there is a definite link between the two. I think dominant dogs tend to be far more intelligent AND trainable than submissive dogs... not to say there isnt exceptions to that rule. But I have found in general it holds true.. What do you think?

I think in inexperienced hands there could be problems but if you know what you are doing it seems they learn so much faster and are so much quicker on the uptake, than more docile submissive dogs.

Answer 1

i'm not sure. i know plenty of docile dogs that are really smart. it is just like people. i lost my best boy last year to cancer and he was really smart and super dominant. infact i have never come across a more dominant dog than him, so he is proof of what you are saying in a sense, this guy used to open doors, eat bread and butter together when he did a kitchen raid-always ate them in combination. one time he was in my old renault while i ducked in somewhere. it was a bomb the seat belt used to hold the door closed and he chewed it and let himself out! gosh he was smart. miss him so much. also some breeds are naturally dominant. yeah i just think it depends. there probably is something in what you are sying coz dominant dogs tend to lead not follow, but there are definately exceptions to the rule. all dogs are smart and beautiful in their own way-even mine when they are driving me crazyyyyyy!! love them to bits though. spare me a thought as none of mine are submissive and they all live inside with me-have a pet door of course and full access to the yard. i also have 5 cats. one is submissive the rest all think they are king of the castle. 2 of them are siamese and according to them they are above us!

Answer 2

Perhaps I would have agreed in the past, if you are speaking more of a dog with natural confidence, but experience has proven that a wrong assumption.
the real task is to find the motivation. Dominant dogs are often motivated easier than a submissive dog..and trained by the oldest methods..However, the right motivation will turn a wall-flower into a genius. Guide dogs for the blind will not use a dominant dog, but will use a dog with good self image..
If you look at the video here> http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=canine%20freestyle&btnG=Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wv
of a tribute to Rookie..Rookie was untrainable as a youngster, as he was an excessive submissive pee-er, and couldn't take commands without shrinking and cowering. Carolyn was a professional obedience trainer, and couldn't find a way to train this dog until she found the right motivation. It would be hard to find a more intelligent or trainable dog!
(Oh, Carolyn used the clicker training method)

Answer 3

I'm a hunter and I probably train like **** , I had a black female lab Caddie that was way dominant but was the smartest dog I've ever had, now I have a black lab "Bounder" who's way more dominant than her and is the dumbest stupidest beast alive, you can't train this dog to do anything, you throw a stick and he'll just look at ya. You want him to get out of the dog run he'll just look at ya, hes 6 months old and he doesn't know his own name. Jumping all over, hes just dumb, but he's more dominent than "Caddy" was and his parents are even smart but he's stupid. I have a 3 month old lab "Keegan" and he already knows how to fetch, he'll come to you and just plop down on the ground and you won't be able to get him to move for anything while you are down on the ground with him, never trys to get out of the run and he'll sit, but he is the best damn listener I know. He's definatly the more trainable out of the two and also the more docile.

Answer 4

How does that make sense? A dominant dog more easily trained than a submissive one? I don't know where you get your info from but, dominant has a meaning and it has nothing to do with following other peoples orders.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

not necessarily true as a more dominant dog means this dog believes he/she can manipulate you into letting it get away with certain unacceptable behaviour as it can persuade you into believing his/her reaction will not be a good one if you refuse or punish them. For example a placid dog is placid for a reason and has had dominant master in its lifetime therefore they know that they will not get away with anything and can be scared quite easily. Where as a dominant dog is like that because they have had little or no discipline and pushes the limits. Once the placid dog is reassured that there is nothing to be scared of it is more likely to want to learn what ever you teach them as it will not be affraid of getting punished or disciplined.

Answer 7

I would think in general that's true. Probably many Police dogs fall into that category. My dog (a mutt) ruled the house but was rather untrainable even though he was smart

Answer 8

I would disagree my dog is a chicken shi* and she was easily trained and too smart for her own good.