Dog trainer reveals ‘two most problematic popular breeds’

An expert dog trainer has issued a warning over two extremely popular breeds that he sees exhibit the “most problem behaviours”.

Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has amassed more than 900,000 followers on TikTok for his dog training tips.

He also shares advice regarding which breeds are suitable for which people, depending on the breed’s temperament and the person’s lifestyle.

In one of his recent videos, Will sat down to discuss the “three breeds that right now I’m seeing the most problem behaviours with” – although he clarified in the caption that he meant to say “two”.

He explained how people send him questions every day regarding their dogs, so he wanted to discuss the breeds that seem to be causing the most issues “right now”.

Dachshund

The Dachshund, also known as the Weiner Dog or Sausage Dog, was the first breed he identified.

Will said: “The question is, is this just because they are booming in popularity right now and they’re not prone to additional behaviour, or is it that they are prone to additional behaviour? My personal belief is that it’s a combination of both situations.”

Cocker Spaniel 

Will warned that he’s seeing Cocker Spaniels with “extreme barking, extreme reactivity and extreme pulling” every single day. He also said “extreme fear and anxiety-based behaviours” were a major issue with the breed.

He added: “And I believe this is because people are getting working line Cocker Spaniels, and they are not even coming close to being able to provide them with the output that they need.”

Will explained more about his choices in the comments, saying that he speaks to “some of the best trainers in the world” about why they have to deal with the same breeds all the time.

He said: “[Is it] because the breed is inherently prone to problem behaviours or simply the probability from their popularity makes it more likely to see those specific breeds?

“My thoughts are that it’s a combination of both things, and although all dogs with the right genetics, socialisation, training and most importantly leadership in their life can thrive, my years of experience and thousands and thousands of dogs I’ve helped make me strongly believe that choosing the right breed from a good breeder, or taking your time to rescue a dog that’s a great fit, is the most important decision you can make.”