The Most Difficult Animal to Train, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the animal you think is the most difficult!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:23

Training animals can be a challenging task, requiring patience, skill, and a deep understanding of animal behavior. Some animals, known for their stubborn or complex natures, present a greater challenge than others. Identifying which of these creatures are the hardest to train can help trainers prepare better strategies and set realistic expectations. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a crowd-sourced wisdom that helps highlight the nuances of animal training. Knowing which animals are considered most challenging can assist both professional trainers and casual animal enthusiasts in fostering better relationships with these hard-to-train creatures. Your vote helps to build a resource that is invaluable for anyone facing the rewarding task of training the trickiest animals.

What Is the Most Difficult Animal to Train?

1

64
votes
Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are one of the most difficult animals to train due to their high intelligence, strong will and unpredictable behavior. They have a tendency to become aggressive and are capable of inflicting serious harm on their trainers.
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent primates known for their complex social behavior and tool usage. They are one of the closest living relatives to humans, sharing more than 98% of our DNA.

Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Primates, Family: Hominidae, Genus: Pan, Species: P. troglodytes (common chimpanzee), P. paniscus (bonobo)

Appearance: Chimpanzees have long arms, black hair, and no tail. They have a muscular body and face, with prominent ears and white, expressive eyes.

Habitat: Chimpanzees inhabit the forested regions of Central and West Africa, including rainforests, woodlands, and savannas.

Social Structure: They live in large communities led by an alpha male, usually forming smaller subgroups within their community. They exhibit complex social hierarchies and engage in social bonding and cooperation.

Intelligence: Chimpanzees are considered one of the most intelligent animals, capable of using tools, problem-solving, and learning complex tasks. They demonstrate self-awareness and have been shown to have an understanding of cause and effect.
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42
votes
Dolphins

Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals, but they can be difficult to train due to their complex social dynamics and their reluctance to perform in captivity. They require a lot of patience, positive reinforcement, and specialized training methods.
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals known for their playful and social behavior. They are part of the cetacean family, which also includes whales and porpoises.

Scientific Name: Delphinidae

Average Lifespan: 40 - 60 years

Average Length: 8 - 10 feet (2.4 - 3 meters)

Average Weight: 300 - 500 pounds (136 - 227 kilograms)

Habitat: Marine environments, including oceans and seas
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19
votes
Elephants

Elephants are large and powerful animals that require a lot of time and patience to train. They are also highly intelligent and have a strong memory, which can make them resistant to training if they have had negative experiences in the past.
Elephants are the largest land animals and are known for their intelligence, social behavior, and iconic features like their long trunks and tusks. They belong to the family Elephantidae, which includes three species: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant.

Size: Elephants can reach heights of up to 10-13 feet (3-4 meters) at the shoulder and weigh between 5,000 and 14,000 pounds (2,268-6,350 kilograms).

Trunk: Their trunk is a highly versatile and elongated upper lip and nose, used for breathing, drinking, grabbing objects, and making trumpet-like sounds.

Tusks: Both male and female elephants can have tusks, which are elongated upper incisor teeth. Tusks are used for various tasks, including digging for water, lifting objects, and defending against predators.

Intelligence: Elephants are widely recognized as one of the most intelligent animals. They have excellent memory, problem-solving abilities, and exhibit complex social behavior.

Social Structure: Elephants live in matriarchal societies led by the oldest female, called the matriarch. These societies are highly cohesive and characterized by strong emotional bonds.
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23
votes
Tigers

Tigers are wild animals that are not easily domesticated or trained. They are solitary creatures that are highly territorial and can become aggressive when threatened or provoked.
Tigers are considered one of the most difficult animals to train due to their wild instincts and powerful nature. They are magnificent big cats known for their signature orange fur with black stripes and muscular build. Tigers are apex predators and highly territorial, making them challenging to work with in a controlled environment. They require a significant amount of expertise and experience to train safely.

Species: Panthera tigris

Average Size: Male: 8-10 feet long, weighing 400-700 pounds; Female: 7-9 feet long, weighing 200-400 pounds

Habitat: Various habitats including forests, grasslands, and mangrove swamps

Diet: Carnivorous - primarily deer, boar, and other ungulates

Lifespan: In the wild: 10-15 years; In captivity: 16-20 years
5

7
votes
Lions

Lions are also wild animals that are difficult to train due to their unpredictable behavior and territorial nature. They are also highly social animals that require specialized training methods to ensure their safety and well-being.
Lions are known to be one of the most difficult animals to train due to their strong nature and instinctual behaviors. They belong to the Felidae family and are considered apex predators. Lions are majestic creatures with a muscular body, short fur, a large head, and a prominent mane in males. They are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa and a small population exists in the Gir Forest National Park of India.

Average Weight: Male: 420-550 lbs (190-250 kg), Female: 280-400 lbs (130-180 kg)

Average Length: Male: 8.5-10 ft (2.6-3.0 m), Female: 7.5-9 ft (2.3-2.7 m)

Lifespan: In the wild: 10-14 years, In captivity: up to 20 years

Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, dense bush, and semi-arid habitats

Social Behavior: Live in prides with a dominant male, multiple females, and their offspring
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7
votes
Gorillas

Gorillas are intelligent and social animals that can be difficult to train due to their strength and size. They are also highly unpredictable and can become aggressive if they feel threatened or intimidated.
Gorillas are large primates known for their immense strength and intelligence. They are considered one of the most difficult animals to train due to their unpredictable behavior and independent nature. Despite being highly intelligent, gorillas have a strong sense of self and can resist conforming to human demands.

Size: Gorillas can grow up to 5.6 feet (1.7 meters) tall and weigh between 300-485 pounds (135-220 kilograms).

Strength: Gorillas are incredibly strong, with some individuals capable of exerting forces exceeding 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms).

Intelligence: Gorillas are highly intelligent and possess problem-solving abilities. They can learn complex tasks and use tools in the wild.

Social Structure: Gorillas live in close-knit family groups called troops. Each troop consists of a dominant silverback male, adult females, and their offspring.

Communication: Gorillas have a complex system of communication involving vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions.
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11
votes
Orangutans

Orangutans are intelligent and curious animals that can be difficult to train due to their individual personalities and strong will. They require specialized training techniques and a lot of patience to build a relationship of trust with their trainers.
Orangutans are highly intelligent primates native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are known for their distinctive reddish-brown fur, long arms, and intelligent eyes. Orangutans are considered one of the most difficult animals to train due to their independent nature and complex cognitive abilities.

Origin: Indonesia and Malaysia

Fur Color: Reddish-brown

Arm Length: Long

Intelligence: High

Independence: High
8

7
votes
Hyenas

Hyenas are wild animals that are not easily domesticated or trained. They are highly intelligent and have complex social structures, which can make them difficult to control and train.
Hyenas are widely regarded as one of the most difficult animals to train due to their wild nature and complex social dynamics. These carnivorous mammals belong to the Hyaenidae family and are known for their distinctive features such as a sloping back, powerful jaws, and a characteristic laugh-like vocalization. Native to Africa and parts of Asia, hyenas are notorious scavengers but are also skilled hunters when the opportunity arises.

Species: There are four different species of hyenas: spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena, and aardwolf.

Social Structure: Hyenas live in complex social groups called clans that are dominated by females. The social hierarchy is based on the females' size and aggression.

Intelligence: Hyenas are highly intelligent animals and possess problem-solving skills. This intelligence can make them challenge traditional training methods and require trainers to adapt their approaches.

Strong Jaws: Hyenas have one of the strongest bite forces among mammals, which can make them difficult to handle and control during training sessions.

Scent Marking: Hyenas use scent marking to communicate and establish territories, often making them less receptive to traditional obedience training.
9

2
votes
Wild Dogs

Wild dogs are pack animals that can be difficult to train due to their strong pack mentality and instinctual behavior. They require specialized training methods and a lot of time and patience to build a relationship of trust with their trainers.
The Wild Dogs, scientifically known as Lycaon pictus, are among the most difficult animals to train. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are also known as African wild dogs or African painted dogs. These highly social canines have a unique appearance, characterized by their mottled coats with patches of black, brown, yellow, and white. Wild Dogs are known for their exceptional hunting skills and remarkable endurance, making them highly efficient predators in the wild. Their creator refers to the evolutionary process over thousands of years that led to their existence as a distinct species from other canids. The creation of Wild Dogs involves natural selection and adaptation to specific ecological niches where they thrive alongside other African wildlife.

Species: Lycaon pictus

Common Names: African wild dogs, African painted dogs

Native Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

Coat Appearance: Mottled with patches of black, brown, yellow, and white

Social Behavior: Highly social and cooperative pack hunters
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0
votes
Crocodiles

Crocodiles are wild animals that are not easily domesticated or trained. They are highly aggressive and territorial, and can become dangerous if they feel threatened or provoked. They require specialized training methods and a lot of experience to handle safely.
Crocodiles are large reptiles with a semi-aquatic lifestyle. They are known for their powerful jaws and aggressive behavior. It is extremely difficult to train crocodiles due to their natural instincts and wild nature.

Species: Crocodilia

Average Lifespan: 45-75 years

Size: Varies (depending on species), typically 2-5 meters

Weight: Up to 1,000 kg

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical regions, primarily in freshwater habitats

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Ranking factors for difficult animal

Intelligence

The cognitive ability of the animal plays a significant role in its trainability. Animals with higher intelligence are often easier to train as they can understand and grasp new commands and tasks faster.
Temperament

The animal's natural disposition and personality can also affect its trainability. Animals that are more docile, friendly, and responsive to humans may be easier to train than those that are naturally aggressive or fearful.
Motivation

An animal's willingness to participate in training and its motivation can greatly impact the ease with which it can be trained. Animals that are food-motivated or enjoy praise are often easier to train because they are more engaged in the process.
Attention span

Animals with longer attention spans are generally more trainable, as they can focus on the task at hand for a longer period of time and more consistently.
Socialization

Socialized animals that have been exposed to various people, environments, and situations are generally more adaptable and trainable. This is because they are more likely to be comfortable around humans and new scenarios.
Age

Younger animals are often more trainable than older ones, as they can be more easily molded and are generally more curious and open to new experiences. However, older animals can still be trained with patience and consistency.
Previous training experience

If an animal has had previous training, it may be easier to train as it already understands basic commands and has experience working with a trainer. However, if previous training was negative or inconsistent, it may be harder to retrain the animal.
Consistency and patience

The consistency of training methods and the patience of the trainer are important factors in determining the difficulty of training an animal. Consistent, positive reinforcement and clear communication can lead to more successful training outcomes.
Breed or species-specific traits

Depending on the animal, certain breeds or species may have traits that make them harder or easier to train. For example, herding breeds like border collies or working dogs like golden retrievers may be easier to train due to their inherent drive to work with humans.
Individual differences

Just like humans, animals have their individual differences, making some animals within the same species or breed more trainable than others. Personality, learning style, and overall health can all impact an animal's trainability.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult animal to train. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or animal is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2694 views
186 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each animal once every 24 hours. The rank of each animal is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most difficult animal to train

Training animals has been a longstanding human tradition, dating back to the domestication of dogs over 15,000 years ago. However, despite our best efforts, some animals remain notoriously difficult to train. This can be due to a variety of factors, including their natural instincts, intelligence, and temperament. From wild animals like lions and tigers to domesticated pets like cats and rabbits, there are many animals that pose unique challenges when it comes to training. In this article, we will explore some of the most difficult animals to train and what makes them so challenging.