Not everyone has enough time, experience, and patience for a dog that needs months of training. Maybe some of you have, but we are talking about those living on busy streets, in apartments, and working from 9 to 5.
Honestly, they need a dog that gets trained quickly. A dog that picks up the rules fast, walks, behaves nicely, and does not mind living in compact homes. The one who does not need an experienced trainer, and such dogs actually exist.
Some breeds are eager to please, loving, learn quickly, and follow you all around the house. They don’t need a huge space but just you, your attention, and cuddles.
Apart from this, these are easy to train pups, don’t need 5 hours of marathon for mental stimulation. But just a few short walks or some indoor playtime is their happy pills.
We have shared the 7 dog breeds that are quite easy to train for first-time owners in this guide. However, they differ in personality and temperament, so stick with finding a pup that you can connect to.
Top Easy-to-Train Dog Breeds for Urban Homes
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a royal lapdog and got its name after King Charles I and his son, King Charles II, who used to adore them a lot, according to the AKC. They were bred to be calm and close to their owners, and that’s why they follow you wherever you go.
This small dog breed always wants to please its owners, which makes training it much easier. It responds well to treats and praise, so you don’t have to be harsh with it. Start with basic commands and keep sessions short, but make sure to stay consistent when training your Cavalier.
Apart from this, they just need 30 minutes of daily exercise, including short walks around the apartment. With that being said, the Cavaliers have a medium-length coat that needs brushing at least 3 to 4 times a week. Plus, they shed moderately year-round and need professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
2. Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is an alert, affectionate, people-oriented, and second-smartest dog breed. They were bred as companion dogs, and that’s why they love their owners and even other pets. These small dog breeds sense your mood and mirror it.
They are exceptionally fast learners and one of the easier breeds to train. Toy Poodle picks up the commands in less than 5 repetitions and obey that 95% of the time, as per Wikipedia. So yeah, they are actually one of the brightest pups.
This tiny dog needs just short walks to stay healthy. This is a perfect dog breed for apartment living as it adapts easily to urban routines.
With that being said, Toy Poodles have a curly, low-shedding coat, which is great for those with fur allergies, but they require professional trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. Plus, you have to brush almost daily to prevent matting.
3. Dachshund
Dachshunds are lively, curious, and bold dog breeds that are loyal to their owners but wary of strangers. These small dogs actually adapt well to apartment life and also make perfect watchdogs. They were originally bred as hunting dogs to hunt badgers, but soon became family pets.
They have long, low bodies and short legs, which makes them instantly recognizable. Dachshunds got their independent and stubborn personality due to their hunting background. Although they are smart and learn quickly, you can use treats if they get willful.
Like all small dogs, Dachshunds also require 30 to 45 minutes of daily walks and shouldn’t be allowed to gain weight or jump, as it can affect their back. That being said, Doxies can have smooth or long hair, so their brushing and grooming also vary. But they do shed moderately and require baths every 4-6 weeks
4. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers were bred after crossing Bulldogs and English Terriers for companionship and urban living, and that’s why they are perfect for city residents. These small dogs are friendly, lively, and genuinely fun to be around.
This calm dog gets playful and mischievous sometimes, but doesn’t mind being a couch potato after that. Boston Terrier is eager to please and intelligent, as it learns commands in 25 to 30 repetitions. You can train it with positive reinforcement, but keep training sessions short.
Apart from this, they are brachycephalic, so avoid intense exercise in humid weather as they overheat and struggle to breathe. With that being said, they have a short, smooth, and single-layer coat that requires minimal grooming in terms of trimming.
5. Papillon
Papillon translates as butterfly from French because it has erect ears and wispy hair. It is a lively, confident, and affectionate dog that is known to give kisses to its owners, according to the Papillon Club of America.
This small dog is one of the highly trainable dogs and loves food, so you can train it with treats. It may look delicate, but it is always active. Papillon also needs around 30 to 40 minutes of exercise for mental stimulation.
Honestly, they bark a lot, and that’s why people call them yappers. They have long, silky single-layer coats that shed moderately and require brushing two to three times a week. Plus, they adjust well to apartments and don’t ask for much, which is great for urban residents.
6. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus, also known as little lions, were bred for centuries in imperial courts of China and Tibet as companion dogs. They were kept exclusively for royal people and never used for hunting or working. So, they don’t have any prey drive and love people, children, and other pets, which makes them a perfect family dog.
They are smart and willing to please, but can get stubborn sometimes, so you have to be patient and consistent. They love food, so small treats work best to train them, but make sure to stay gentle and keep training sessions short.
This is a great apartment dog as they just need short walks and have a calm temperament. With that being said, Shih Tzu has long, dense double coat that needs daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. It barely sheds but it requires frequent grooming to maintain the puppy cut.
7. Maltese
You may have heard people calling Maltese a cotton or a walking marshmallow and why not it honestly looks like that. This white dog is gentle, charming and sociable with everyone it meets. It was bred 2,000 years ago in the Mediterranean islands as lapdogs.
Maltese dogs are also eager to please so you can train them easily with gentle positive reinforcement. Don’t be harsh to them as they completely shut down in such moments and be patient. Plus, you don’t have to take them for hours of walks because they just need short strolls around the block.
With that being said, they have long silky pure white coat that barely sheds but is actually high maintenance. You have to brush almost daily, bathe them every 1 to 2 weeks and also take them for professional grooming every 4-8 weeks.
Conclusion
These seven dog breeds are all easy to train, as most of them were bred purely for companionship. They all have a small size and require low to moderate exercise, so they adjust well to urban homes.
But every pup has a different type of coat, temperament, and training needs. Some of them are calm, and others are quite active. We have shared everything that you must know before getting your easy-to-train dog, so read before you get one.
