11 Easiest Dogs to Train That Make Obedient Pets

Most-trainable dogs

Dogs are some of our most beloved animal companions. But not all breeds are the easiest dogs to train, and if they’re not well-behaved, they can be a huge source of stress. Without learning the basics, dogs can have all sorts of unwanted behaviors, like barking, pulling on the leash, destroying items in the house, and not socializing well with people or other animals. This sadly contributes to many pets being surrendered to animal shelters when their owners are no longer able to cope.
Proper training is essential for any pet, whether they’re going to be family companions, service dogs, emotional support dogs, or guard dogs. “Your dog needs to know basic obedience,” says Courtney Briggs, head trainer at dog-training company Zoom Room. “‘Sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘come,’ ‘off,’ and ‘down’ are all crucial skills you’ll need to have mastered before bringing your dog into unfamiliar environments with unfamiliar humans and activities.”
If you’re thinking of bringing a new pet into your life, first consider which breeds are the easiest dogs to train. Both instinct and intelligence play a role in how trainable an animal is. Certain breeds have been bred for hundreds of years to do specific activities, like herding, and it’s challenging to stop a dog from doing what it’s instinctually supposed to do. But with regular training, any pup—from the smartest dog breeds to slower learners—can learn the basics. So find a dog trainer and enroll your furry friends in obedience school when they’re young.
With positive reinforcement and consistency, your new puppies will become obedient, happy members of the family. And remember: Regardless of breed, training a pup takes time, consistency, and patience, says Rob R. Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Healthy Paws Foundation and Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Treats don’t hurt either.

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