If you’re worried about your dog-training skills or simply don’t have the time or budget for a professional trainer, don’t worry. Some smart dog breeds are naturally eager to please, making them a dream to train, even for first-time or less confident pet parents.
These dogs aren’t just intelligent; they’re responsive, cooperative, and genuinely enjoy learning. Their adaptability and quick grasp of commands make them excellent companions, whether you’re looking for a loyal family pet, a service dog, or a helpful herder.
Thanks to their sharp minds and enthusiastic attitudes, these intelligent breeds integrate smoothly into household routines and thrive on bonding through training. If you’re looking for a dog that’s both smart and willing to follow your lead, these eager-to-please breeds might just be the perfect match.
Dog Breeds That Are Eager To Please
1. Manchester Terrier
Having a Manchester Terrier in your life is like having a friend who just agrees with you on whatever restaurant you choose for a night out, without even giving suggestions!
This dog would do anything to please you! It quickly picks up cues and routines, reducing all the chances of you getting panic attacks over it not learning new skills or responding to your cues.
They really enjoy success and thrive in obedience, agility, and trick training. They somehow want to prove they are even better fellows than humans, as they pick up commands easily and behave properly.
Some of the most obedient dog breeds out there don’t like their mentors being harsh! In fact, this dog wouldn’t even respond to a harsh correction. This is why you need to be super sweet and nice while training them.
Small to medium-sized dogs, whose roots go back to the 19th century, are great for active families. Yes, they are active, but they are surely not hyper-energetic dogs that will wreak havoc in your house.
2. Papillon
Papillon is like that front-seat student of a class who is always eager to learn and even show off their skills!
This dog loves to impress its pet parents! In fact, AKC mentions it thrives in agility and obedience competitions. Being part of various dog sports is their favorite pastime.
As they are close to their owners emotionally, they want to earn positive feedback from them and even get treats whenever possible.
Papillons are a highly trainable dog breed, and you can keep them as a pet even if you are a first-time dog owner.
Also, thanks to their small size, they are light, portable, and adaptable. You can easily make them your permanent travel partners, and they’ll be eager to go with you everywhere!
But, don’t take them lightly owing to their small size! With the stamina they have, they can easily outperform larger breeds in agility competitions.
3. Border Collie
There are two major reasons why a Border Collie is super easy to train:
It is at the top of the list of the most intelligent dogs out there.
It was originally bred to be a herding dog, hence it can take commands easily.
Oh, and obviously, it is always eager to please you!
PetMD vouches for their incredible work ethic. They really value human direction and treasure structured tasks, especially when it wins your approval. Their laser-focused attitude, whether at home or outdoors, makes them exceptional working dogs, outstanding guard dogs, and remarkable protectors.
Loyal and naturally watchful, they will make a great addition to your home, especially if you have a super active family.
Give them a fixed routine and some consistency, and you’ll be amazed to see how well they showcase their talents!
4. German Shepherd
Did you know that the German Shepherd is so sharp, you just need to repeat a behavior five times, and this dog will pick it up?
Owing to their intelligence, obedience, and eagerness to learn, they serve in roles like guide dogs, police K9s, and search-and-rescue dogs. They make some of the most reliable and trustworthy service dogs.
Known for being one of the most trainable dog breeds, they are easy to housetrain even by people who are adopting a pet for the first time ever!
Naturally protective, they make good guard dogs at home. This energetic breed is always vigilant and ready to defend its loved ones.
What really makes the batch of one of the most popular dog breeds amongst dog lovers is their ability to pick up on moods and body language. Whenever you have had a bad day at work, the dog will understand your emotions simply by looking at you and give you some me time!
5. Golden Retriever
Another dog that is known to learn new commands fast and obey unfailingly is the Golden Retriever!
This trainable breed loves humans like anything. This is why they will always be willing to do almost anything to make their humans happy.
Always eager to please the owners, this dog would showcase enthusiasm whenever you award it with love and its favorite snacks.
The training sessions will always be smooth (without you banging your head on the wall out of frustration). AKC states they excel in obedience training and learn complex tricks remarkably quickly!
If you have kids at home, get this dog! Its patience and tolerant attitude will make it a great companion for your children!
6. Labrador Retriever
Labs is like that concerned friend who is always stealing glances at you on every bite to see whether you liked his choice of restaurant or not!
These dogs will also keep checking in with their owners frequently during the training sessions to see whether they have been able to impress them or not.
They would react quickly to orders or gestures, making the owners feel proud of their training capabilities (when it’s actually the dog’s brain that made it happen).
Labs are phenomenal gun dogs and retrievers. They are so good at hunting because they are easy to train and learn commands swiftly. Even as police dogs, their training is pretty easy!
Oh, and they love food treats. Stock up on some of its favorite snacks, and the dog will show its capabilities at its best.
7. Vizsla
Also known as the Velcro dogs, Viazlas keep following their owners wherever they go! This behavior of the dog showcases its eagerness to please its pet owners.
They are easygoing dogs. This is why they make a great choice for first-time pet parents.
Initially bred to work closely alongside hunters, they have the capacity to learn new skills swiftly. However, one thing you need to remember is that these easy-going dogs are also quite sensitive. They’ll shut down under harsh discipline, which is why you always have to be nice with them!
They crave approval and affection. Every time the dog showcases good behavior, nod and smile, and your pet will be ecstatic.
8. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniels are also hunting dogs that are easy to train if you use positive reinforcement.
They love to complete tasks with enthusiasm! What makes them enjoy new tasks and learn new skills is the happiness that comes with the process.
These dogs also thrive when they have a structured routine and a disciplined life. Compared to other dogs, they like having a fixed schedule when they don’t have to deal with any unpredictability.
PetMD mentions that with proper socialization and training, you’ll see they mingle well with other animals as well. This is why you’ll see them behaving well in a multi-pet home.
The English Springer Spaniel has an affectionate nature and, being an easily trained breed, these dogs are quite popular amongst dog lovers.
9. Poodle
Poodles are not only adorable and cute, but they are also super obedient and have a great working intelligence.
They are eager to please their parents. They are so attached to them that they even end up mirroring their owners’ moods and behaving in accordance with their emotions.
This Reddit Thread says these dogs are super smart and brilliant!
Have kids at home? Well, Poodles surely make a perfect dog for you! They are highly playful, and your kids would love to spend their time with them!
These clever dogs are great at therapy, assistance, and emotional support work. With little training, they turn into phenomenal assistance dogs, helping patients with mobility issues.
Conclusion
Whether you are a busy worker who doesn’t have enough time to spend on training your dog or you don’t have the patience to housetrain your pet for several months, a dog that is always eager to please is the best choice to make.
Some dog breeds are more easily trained when compared to others. The German Shepherd Dog, Miniature Schnauzer, and Australian Cattle Dog are some other dogs that are eager to please their owners and make great family pets.
