Training your dog is a big-time commitment and requires plenty of patience. However, it offers numerous benefits to pets and their owners. Training sessions can strengthen the bond between the dog and its owner.
Training makes your life easier by addressing the undesirable behaviors in dogs. Not all dogs are easy to train, but some small dog breeds are more trainable than others. Highly trainable small dog breeds are usually very intelligent.
Capable of picking up on your commands quickly, they can learn new tricks in no time. These canines bond tightly with their humans and have an eager-to-please nature. Remember, training needs may vary from one breed to another.
Have a look at 9 small dog breeds that excel in quick training.
Small Dog Breeds that Excel in Quick Training
1. Toy Poodle
Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds, which makes them adaptable and easy to train. This highly intelligent dog breed has a lively and affectionate personality. Their elegance and charm, combined with their trainability, make them the favorite companions.
Purina mentions that these clever dogs are quick to learn. They love working with their humans and excel at a variety of canine sports, including agility, heelwork, and obedience training. Toy Poodles are active and athletic dogs.
They need almost an hour of daily exercise with two good walks as part of their routine. Poodles are natural swimmers who love being in water. They also enjoy games of fetch, hide and seek, and tracking. Toy Poodles get along nicely with everyone and make wonderful family pets.
2. Shih Tzu
Loved for its adorable looks and hypoallergenic coat, the Shih Tzu is a very intelligent breed. They are people pleasers and love learning new things, which makes them a highly trainable small dog breed. However, they have an independent streak.
Sometimes they can train their owners far quicker than their owners can train them. During training, Shih Tzus respond best to high-reward treats and positive training methods. PetMD mentions they have a strong desire to make their owners happy.
Shih Tzus are loving and loyal companion dogs who thrive on the attention and affection they receive from their pet parents. Shih Tzus are alert dogs who bark to inform their owners when they sense something new or unusual in their environment.
3. Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffons are delightful companions who want nothing more than to be with their people. These ‘Velcro dogs’ possess an energetic and playful personality. Brussels Griffons are a highly intelligent breed that bonds firmly with its owners.
Brussels Griffons learn basic obedience commands and manners easily. These quick learners are one of the highly trainable small dog breeds. Despite their size, Brussels Griffons excel in a variety of dog sports like agility, obedience, and tracking, according to the American Kennel Club.
Brussels Griffons enjoy daily walks and indoor play sessions with their owners. Mental stimulation can be provided through puzzle toys. Griffs have an adaptable personality and can adjust to new situations, until their owner is nearby.
4. Havanese
Havanese is a highly intelligent dog breed with an eager-to-please nature. They are quick learners when it comes to new tricks and may pick up a few on their own, only to make you happy. According to Omlet, they respond best to firm and consistent training.
However, they may try to twist you around their paws with their playful antics. Havanese is a highly trainable small dog breed that excels in agility competitions and as therapy dogs. However, like many other toy dogs, they may be a bit difficult to housebreak.
However, being difficult does not mean impossible! Just the process requires a little more time. Havanese is a sensitive dog breed, so make sure you do not use harsh training methods. Socialization from an early age is required to turn them into well-mannered pets.
5. Papillon
Papillon is a lively small dog breed with an affectionate nature. Recognized by their butterfly ears, Paps are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Their sharp minds and eager-to-please nature make them highly trainable.
Despite their small size, Paps have huge personalities. They love being the center of attention and are quite agile. These energetic dogs learn quickly and will be happy discovering new tricks. However, like many other small dogs, Paps are difficult to house train.
They need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Papillons do well with a few short walks and indoor play sessions with their owners. They also excel at a variety of dog sports such as obedience, agility, and rally.
6. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin, also known as Japanese Spaniel, is a compassionate and energetic breed that makes a perfect indoor dog. These even-tempered canines serve as the ultimate lap dogs and are incredibly loyal to their humans.
This Japanese dog breed is highly intelligent and adaptable, so it can be trained easily using positive reinforcement-based training methods. Despite their small size, Japanese Chins excel in obedience training and agility competitions.
Japanese Chin is also easy to house train. They were originally bred to be palace companions, but do not expect them to spend their entire day sleeping on the couch. Chins are people-oriented dogs who prefer to stay with their humans all day long.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are bold and fearless dogs with tons of personality. They are loved for their silky, floor-length coat and are incredibly loyal to their humans. Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and eager to please dogs.
This easy-to-train dog breed responds best to positive reinforcement training methods. Make sure to keep the training sessions short. Stay consistent and offer high-value rewards. These enthusiastic dogs learn quickly. Yorkies are energetic dogs.
They need moderate daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Participating in dog sports like obedience and agility provides beneficial activity to keep Yorkies happy. It stimulates their minds as well. Yorkies bond tightly with their humans and make excellent therapy dogs.
8. Silky Terrier
More a terrier than a lap dog, Silky Terriers are affectionate and high-energy toy dogs with a long and silky coat. These playful and loving dogs tend to be smart and eager students. Silky Terriers are easy-to-train canines, but you need to be patient.
Try to channel your Silky Terrier’s energy in a productive way, like taking them on long walks and training them for games and dog sports. They learn basic commands with ease, especially when training is consistent from an early age.
Like other small dog breeds, they also respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Fun activities for Silky Terriers include agility, flyball, and earthdog tests. Silky Terriers are loyal towards their family members and get along nicely with children.
9. Italian Greyhound
Smallest of all sighthounds, Italian Greyhounds are remarkably smart and intelligent dogs. Their ability to learn quickly makes them one of the most trainable breeds. Italian Greyhounds are adaptable dogs who adjust well to a variety of environments.
These loving companions form strong bonds with their humans and have a strong desire to please them. Italian Greyhounds can shut down if they receive negative feedback, so use positive reinforcement training that rewards good behavior.
However, they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to house training. Use polite and firm verbal and non-verbal cues to train your dog. Italian Greyhounds are affectionate and loving dogs known for their agility and athleticism.
They need at least an hour of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Playtime and daily walks are fun ways to keep your Italian Greyhounds in tip-top shape. Italian Greyhounds thrive in warm weather and love to bask and play in the sun.
Conclusion
Not all dogs are easy to train, but some small dogs are easier to train than others. They are highly intelligent and smart breeds. Being incredibly loyal to their humans, they have a strong desire to please. They also love learning new tricks and commands.
Some may even try to pick up on new cues by themselves. These canines are usually very energetic and playful. Many of these small dogs also excel in canine sports like agility and obedience. Usually, dogs do not like harsh comments and negative feedback.
They respond best to positive reinforcement-based training sessions. Proper training and early socialization are important to turn these dogs into well-behaved companions.
