When looking to add a new furry family friend, one of the characteristics that a lot of people consider with a dog is how easy the breed is to train. Even though any dog can essentially be trained, some breeds take less work than others.
Just like people, dogs have individual personalities. So we have tried to supply a generalized list of the breeds that are more easily trained for basic obedience and being a wonderful member of the household.
These Breeds Are Simple To Train
1. Collie
2. Border Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Border Collie
5. Poodle
6. Doberman Pinscher
7. Rottweiler
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
9. Havanese
10. Boxer
1. Collie
Number one on our list is the loveable Collie. While you might not end up with “Lassie”, these faithful dogs are smart and easy to train. Both Smooth and Rough Collies are a larger breed that are meant to be herding dogs however the average owner will be able to keep up. Although independent, Collies are very sensitive to their person’s needs.
2. Border Terrier
While a Border Terrier shows a bit of stubbornness in its personality because it’s a terrier, they are extremely loving and friendly dogs that want nothing more than to please the people they love. This particular breed is not very hard to train and learn quickly because they are eager to learn new things and get to the task. A Border Terrier could be a good choice for you if you are looking for a breed that’s a bit smaller.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds seem to be able to do it all and are said to be decent at everything among fur baby owners. They are very bright, easy to train, and a very popular breed with many people around the world. To keep a German Shepherd Dog happy, make sure he has a job to do, so he will enjoy the training you provide.
4. Border Collie
These delightful little doggies are the most intelligent breed hands down! Besides being smart they are extremely loving creatures that will care for their owners greatly and will capture your heart in no time! Because Border Collies were bred to gather livestock their qualities include high activity and they pay close attention. These traits make this breed easy to train and eager to please.
5. Poodle
Even though you might think a Poodle is just a foo foo, girly dog because of the way they are usually groomed, don’t be mistaken. Before their people started taking them to the doggie salon these dogs were bred as water retrievers and hunting companions. Poodles are decidedly intelligent and take commands willingly, so they are great for an easy to train choice!
6. Doberman Pinscher
While Doberman Pinschers have an intimidating look about them to some people, these sleek animals are extremely loving with their person. They are as well a very strong, loyal and intelligent breed. If you have ever seen obedience competitions, you will notice that this breed almost always takes first. This is an assurance that Dobermans are easy to train and eager to please, but training must be consistent. This breed does better with more experienced owners.
7. Rottweiler
If you love a bigger, beefier breed, don’t let the bad rap that Rottweilers get dissuade you from this beautiful animal. If you begin training from the puppy to young adult stage, you’ll get great results. As well, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more loving and loyal family member than a Rottweiler. They are very strong, so make sure you do ample leash training.
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
A Bernese mountain dog is one of the most friendly breeds you’ll find that is easy to train. While these long-haired lovelies are a little bigger breed, they have a small, mild temperament. Bernese Mountain Dogs adore the outdoors which makes it easy for them to get the proper moderate level of exercise which will keep them satisfied and eager for training.
9. Havanese
If you are looking for an easily trainable friend, that will keep you smiling then the Havanese is an awesome choice. This small breed is a great choice for beginner dog owners because they are bright and trainable. These little fluff balls are natural clowns so they will demand your attention. So make sure your Havanese puppy gets lots of socialization and love!
10. Boxer
Last, but certainly not least is our gorgeous breed the Boxer. These amazing dogs are super smart and have the patience of a saint as well as being able to learn new things easily. Boxers are usually active dogs, so you’ll have to make sure they get exercise for both mind and body. Being playful, positive, patient and protective makes these furry friends great for kids as well.
Adding a dog to your family, just like a child comes with, of course, a lot of responsibility. Dogs, just like children need a safe place to be able to flourish as well as medical care. As well don’t forget, they need exercise that’s best for the particular breed, love and attention, and of course training. It’s easy to see why many people look at the ease of training when deciding on the new addition.
While this list points out certain breeds that are easier to train than others, they will still need plenty of training time. After all, dogs who are easy to train still need love, time and attention. Providing those things for your new pet pal will make them more apt to want to please you and love you back, which means easier training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest dogs to train?
Dogs that are intelligent, well cared for, and eager to please their human are usually easy to train. When it comes to specific breeds, Border Collies, Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, Bearded Collies, and German Shepherds claim their spot in the top 5 easily trained dogs.
Which is the best dog for training?
Due to their long history as working dogs, their incredibly high IQ, and their relentless desire to please their owners, Border Collies can easily be considered the easiest and best dog to train. Their intelligence allows them to pick new things up amazingly fast and they actually enjoy learning.
What are the most well behaved dogs?
Training dogs is a lot easier when they are well behaved. Some of the most obedient breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, and Beagles. These breeds are quite popular and for good reason. Their consistently good behavior helps them fit into nearly any household with ease and makes training a breeze.
What dog has the highest IQ?
Border Collies easily take the number one spot when it comes to IQ level. They are obedient, adapt well, and have incredible instincts. Also, Border Collies love to be mentally engaged which helps them learn new things amazingly fast. Believe it or not, this awesome breed can learn new commands after hearing them just five times. Now that’s impressive!
What is the least trainable dog?
While some dogs can be trained very easily, some breeds are extremely difficult to train. For example, Chow Chows, Dachshunds, Bulldogs, Borzois, and Basenjis are all hard to train dogs. Keep in mind, while training these dogs may be difficult, it’s entirely possible with enough patience and the right approach.
At what age is a dog most trainable?
6 months old is a great time to start, but during this juvenile stage, your pooch will likely have a short attention span and only be able to grasp simple commands. For advanced training, it’s advised that an owner waits until their dog is older than 6 months. You might be surprised to learn that dogs are capable of learning new commands well into their later years as long as issues such as cognitive decline are not present.
How long does it take for a dog to be trained?
It depends on what you’ll be training your dog to do. Basic commands can be picked up rather quickly, especially when it comes to easy to train dog breeds. However, advanced commands can take much longer. Some commands will only require a couple of weeks of short 10-15 minute training sessions a few times a day while others can take anywhere from 4-6 months.
What is the best method to train a dog?
The best method to use is the method your dog responds to the most too. However, the most commonly used methods are clicker training, positive reinforcement, electronic training, relationship-based training, and scientific training.
How do you discipline a dog that won’t listen?
Honestly speaking, dogs tend to respond to positive reinforcement much more than they do to discipline. In fact, punishing a dog that is being trained can actually lead to steps backward. If you’re having a hard time training your dog remember to be patient, use clear communication, be understanding when your dog is having a hard time learning a new command and make sure to praise and offer treats to reinforce positive behavior.
Why is my dog being disobedient?
In most cases, disobedience is the result of an excess of energy, being bored, poor training, anxiety, and sometimes a lack of a bond with their owner. Make sure that your pooch is getting plenty of exercise, is mentally engaged, that you practice training with them regularly, and make them feel comfortable by strengthening your bond with them.