Looking for an easy-to-train small dog breed? Some small dogs may be tiny in size, but they combine beauty and brain in a compact doggy package. These petite pups rank among the most intelligent dog breeds and make highly trainable companions.
Canine intelligence generally falls into three categories: instinctive, adaptive, and working intelligence. These dog breeds rank high in all three types of intelligence. They are obedient and adaptable and follow new commands in less than five repetitions.
Trainable small dog breeds are incredibly loyal to their owners and have an eager-to-please nature. These curious and friendly dogs have lively personalities. Like all other dogs, they need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Have a look at these 9 small dog breeds that jump into training with ease.
Small Dog Breeds That Jump into Training with Ease
1. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are the smallest of the three Poodle variants, the other two being Standard and Miniature Poodles. They are one of the smartest and most trainable small dog breeds. Despite being small in size, Toy Poodles are full of personality.
These active and agile dogs require good exercise to keep up with their high energy levels. Toy Poodles have an eager-to-please nature, and they love to learn and perform tricks for their humans. They are relatively calm, but playful.
Most Poodles love water, so swimming is a great activity for them, according to the American Kennel Club. Poodles also have a natural instinct to retrieve. They thrive on going for long walks and jogs with their humans.
Toy Poodles have an adaptable personality, so they adjust well to a variety of new environments. Thanks to their high emotional intelligence, they make excellent therapy dogs.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are playful little dogs with an affectionate nature. They do not require extensive exercise to stay fit and are the ultimate social butterflies. Shih Tzus are people pleasers and usually easy to train. They need high-reward treats and respond best to positive training methods.
They do not respond well to harsh training. Training sessions can be amusing as well as frustrating experiences. Shih Tzus are happy-go-lucky dogs who want to stay close to their owners, according to PetMD. They thrive on attention and affection.
Shih Tzus do well with only a few short walks around the block and indoor play sessions. Thanks to their adaptable nature, they adjust well in a variety of homes, including apartments and confined spaces. Shih Tzus are loved for their loyalty, calm spirit, and fluffy coat.
The coats are hypoallergenic and shed minimally, but require an ample amount of grooming to stay free from mats and tangles.
3. Brussels Griffon
Having a playful and energetic personality, Brussels Griffons are small dogs with a big personality. They love to spend time with their owners and do not like being left alone for too long. Their small size, moderate energy levels, and adaptable nature make them excellent pets for apartment dwellers.
Their high intelligence and ability to bond closely to their owners make them easy to train. Brussels Griffons have an eager-to-please nature. They are very sensitive and do not respond well to harsh training methods. Brussels Griffons do best in families where they can participate in all activities.
WebMD recommends only half an hour of exercise for these dogs. Playing fetch or taking your Brussels Griffon for long walks will keep them happy. Brussels Griffons are brachycephalic dogs with flat faces. Therefore, avoid over-exercising or taking them out in hot and humid weather.
Thanks to their high brain power, Brussels Griffons excel at dog sports like agility training, obedience, and tracking.
4. Havanese
Small yet mighty, Havanese are exceptionally intelligent dogs capable of a high degree of dog training. These playful dogs respond best to positive reinforcement-based training sessions. Havanese love taking part in a variety of dog sports and competitions.
Havanese do well in mini agility and trick training. They love their humans and do not like being left alone. Havanese thrive on affection and make excellent lapdogs. These friendly and affectionate dogs have a strikingly beautiful appearance, thanks to their stunning coat.
Their hypoallergenic fur requires an ample amount of grooming to keep looking good. Havanese make ideal pets for allergy sufferers and apartment dwellers. Well-trained and properly socialized Havanese get along nicely with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers.
5. Papillon
Papillons can be easily recognized by their ears that look like butterfly wings. They are the only toy dogs to rank in the AKC’s list of the smartest dog breeds. Paps are incredibly loyal dogs with an eager-to-please nature.
These traits make Papillons one of the most trainable small dog breeds. Paps are active and smart dogs who love to play with their people. When indoors, they enjoy retrieving a small ball and quickly learn to bring it back so you can throw again.
Papillons do not realize how small they are, so owners need to watch carefully if they want to set after a large dog or even a cat. Paps make loving lap dogs and form strong bonds with their people. They enjoy taking part in family activities as well.
6. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin is a fairly active little dog who makes a lovely indoor companion. Having a lively, affectionate, and charming personality, Chins are very intelligent. Their eager-to-please nature makes them very easy to train.
Training sessions must be interesting and fun to keep their attention. Chins love to perform tricks and get attention from their family members. They respond well to positive reinforcement training, but do not like harsh corrections.
These easygoing dogs enjoy going on long walks with their humans and exploring the backyard. Japanese Chin makes an excellent pet for apartment dwellers. However, they have an independent streak, so it is never a good idea to allow them off-leash.
Thanks to their gentle nature, Chins are well-suited for homes without small and rambunctious kids who can accidentally hurt small dogs.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately known as Yorkies, are spunky and entertaining companion dogs. They were originally bred to chase rats and have the traits of a typical terrier. Yorkies are clever, feisty, and highly intelligent.
Their lively and eager-to-please nature makes them one of the most trainable small dog breeds. These brave and tenacious canines are immensely affectionate to their family members and form strong bonds with them.
Despite their small stature, Yorkies have a big personality. They require regular exercise to burn off excess energy. Participating in canine sports like agility and obedience training provides them with adequate physical exercise and mental stimulation.
The crowning glory of this breed is their hypoallergenic, long, and silky coat. It resembles human hair and requires similar attention.
8. Silky Terrier
Being smart and eager to please, Silky Terrier puppies are very easy to train. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Silky Terriers are very loyal to their owners and are full of affection and energy.
These small dogs are good with children and other dogs when socialized well from an early age. Silky Terriers are friendly and alert dogs with an enthusiasm for the world around them. They have moderate grooming needs.
Brush your Silky Terrier’s coat at least twice a week using a gentle brush. Regular grooming helps remove mats and tangles and keeps the coat clean. Silky Terriers have greater exercise needs than many toy breeds. They love spending time with their owners.
9. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are alert, sensitive, and playful dogs. These affectionate and companionable dogs form excellent pets for families with children. Their ability to learn quickly makes them easy to train. IGs are highly adaptable dogs.
Fortunately, you can successfully train these dogs by incorporating praise, rewards, and consistency into training. Italian Greyhounds may be shy at first, but they show openness towards strangers. They thrive in warm weather and love to bask in the sun.
However, they may not be well-suited for colder temperatures due to their single coat. Italian Greyhounds are energetic and agile dogs who do not need plenty of exercise to stay fit. They usually benefit from an hour of physical activity.
Conclusion
Some small breeds are very smart and intelligent, having a strong desire to please their owners. That is why you can train them easily using positive reinforcement training methods such as rewards and treats. Despite their small size, they have big personalities.
These canines also excel at a variety of dog sports, including agility and obedience. They are incredibly loyal to their owners and form strong bonds with them. With proper training and socialization, they turn into well-behaved family pets.
