Who does not love a small dog breed with tiny paws and an adorable face? Small dog breeds are famous for their manageable size and loving personalities. They are incredibly loyal to their humans and tend to follow them like a shadow.
Some small dogs make themselves even more worthy of love and attention through one trait: easy trainability. These little dogs are highly intelligent and understand new tricks and commands quickly. They may be small in size, but they have big brains.
Such canines are usually playful and energetic. Some of them even make fun of competitors at dog sports like agility and obedience. They possess excellent problem-solving skills and have a natural ability to perform certain tasks.
Have a look at these 7 small dog breeds with a gift for easy training.
Small Dog Breeds With a Gift for Easy Training
1. Poodle (Toy)
The smallest of three Poodle varieties, the Toy Poodle is an extremely intelligent breed. Its energetic personality and eager-to-please nature make it highly trainable. Toy Poodles are clever and agile dogs of remarkable versatility.
Fun Fact: Toy Poodles were often used in circuses to entertain people as they are quick learners and love to perform tricks, as per Omlet.
Despite being a small dog breed, Toy Poodles are very athletic. They require an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. These real-life teddy bears are better suited for people with an active lifestyle who can keep them busy.
Poodles were bred as hunting dogs and have high instinctive intelligence. They love water and make excellent swimming partners. If you are looking for a furry friend who loves to play games of fetch, consider adopting a Toy Poodle.
They also excel at variety in canine sports like obedience, agility, and tracking. Thanks to their kind and friendly demeanor, Toy Poodles make wonderful family pets and are one of the most popular small dog breeds.
2. Papillon
Papillon is the only small dog breed that ranks in the American Kennel Club’s list of the smartest dog breeds. Instantly recognizable through their ‘butterfly ears,’ Paps are highly intelligent and eager to please dogs.
These happy, alert, and friendly dogs are very active. They love playing the game of fetch with their owners. Throw a small ball or a toy, and this toy breed will quickly learn to bring it back so that you can throw it again.
From being the ultimate lap dogs to fun competitors at agility competitions, Papillons are pros at every role in life. However, they may take a little longer to house train.
Paps are companion dogs at heart. They may develop separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods.
3. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is a hypoallergenic breed loved for its fluffy coat and affectionate nature. This smart dog tends to be a quick learner and picks up new commands quickly. Thanks to these traits, the Bichon Frise is a highly trainable small dog breed.
According to PetMD, they can easily master basic cues like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ and can learn fancier tricks, too. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Being a socially intelligent breed, Bichons warm up to new people easily.
They get along nicely with their family members, children, other pets, and even unfamiliar faces. Bichons are playful dogs who love to be the center of attention. A bored or lonely Bichon Frise can exhibit destructive behaviors.
Bichons have an adaptable nature. They can adjust well in a variety of living spaces and make fun-loving companions for apartment dwellers.
4. Havanese
Another small breed, the Havanese are extroverts with comical instincts of a born clown. Thanks to their alert nature and high intelligence, they make excellent watchdogs. These smart and eager-to-please dogs are very easy to train.
Havanese are capable of high levels of training, explains Purina. Having high trainability, they also excel at a variety of canine sports like agility and trick training competitions. They respond best to positive reinforcement training sessions.
Remember, Havanese is a sensitive pooch. Harsh treatment can hurt them! Slowly expose your Havanese to new places and new people. Proper training can result in a wonderful companion.
Havanese thrive on human interaction and are the classic ‘Velcro dogs.’ They love spending time with their humans and follow them everywhere. Their long and silky coat is hypoallergenic, making them a fantastic choice for allergy sufferers.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Originally bred to catch rats in textile mills, Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate and sprightly dogs with outgoing personalities. They are incredibly loyal to their owners and form strong bonds with them. Underneath their silky, floor-length coat, beat the heart of a typical terrier.
Full of energy, Yorkshire Terriers enjoy playing with their humans. They are very intelligent and have a natural desire to please their pet parents. These traits make them very easy to train. Praise and treats work far better for Yorkies compared to harsh corrections.
They love taking part in a variety of dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally. Being a small dog breed, they have relatively low exercise needs. A few daily walks around the block and indoor play sessions would suffice for them.
Yorkies travel well and are highly adaptable dogs. They adjust well to a variety of living situations. This, combined with their manageable size, makes them a perfect match for city dwellers.
6. Brussels Griffon
Big personality packed in their compact bodies, Brussels Griffons look like a stuffed animal walking on the ground. With their child-like expressions and high intelligence, they will never miss a chance to entertain you.
Griffs are the best choice for pet parents who prioritize companionship and spend lots of time with their dog. These Velcro dogs form deep bonds with their owners, so they have a natural urge to please them. This breed characteristic makes them very easy to train.
This highly trainable small dog breed enjoys taking part in tricks training and agility competitions. As with many small dogs, Griffons also need some extra time with potty training, but patience is the key. These sensitive dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training sessions.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle, affectionate, and sweet-tempered companion dog. This happy pup loves pleasing its humans and forms strong bonds with them. This, paired with its high intelligence, makes it an easily trainable small dog breed.
Despite their small size, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels excel at canine sports, including agility and obedience. Proper socialization is important to encourage good behavior and help your puppy grow into a confident adult. These adaptable dogs have moderate exercise needs.
Cavaliers do equally well with active owners as well as homebodies. Thanks to their sweet nature and ability to understand human emotions, they make excellent therapy dogs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the favorite breed among individuals looking for an apartment dog.
Conclusion
Certain small dog breeds are known for their high intelligence and eager-to-please nature. They possess excellent problem-solving skills and are very easy to train. These little doggos also excel at a variety of dog sports.
Highly trainable small dog breeds are usually quick learners. They stay focused and respond quickly to your commands. These smart pups quickly pick up on training cues. Lastly, proper training and socialization help bring the best out of the canines.
