Most Obedient Small Dogs for Easy Training

Choosing the right dog means looking for one that’s easy to train. Many believe that bigger dogs are more trainable. But, there are many small breeds famous for being smart and ready to learn.

This article looks at the most obedient small dogs. It explains why they’re so good at training. If you’re new to owning dogs or an expert, these breeds are great for training success.

Key Takeaways:

• Small dog breeds can be just as obedient and trainable as larger breeds.
• The Poodle, Papillon, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, and Border Terrier are known for their obedience.
• Consistent training and positive reinforcement are key to developing well-behaved small dogs.
• These breeds excel in a variety of training activities and can make excellent companions.
• Consider your lifestyle and preferences when choosing a small breed that suits your training goals.

Poodle

Poodles stand out for more than just their unique looks. They’re smart and easy to train. The American Kennel Club places them 7th for popularity. This shows they’re loved by many.

There are three Poodle sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. All are smart, but Toys and Minis stand out. They’re keen to learn and please. Their size doesn’t hold them back.

Poodles shine in many dog sports. This proves how trainable and responsive they are. They enjoy following your lead. This makes them great companions.

“Poodles are not only fabulous in the show ring but are also known for their intelligence and trainability. They can excel in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.” – Brian Kilcommons, Dog Trainer

Training Poodles is both fun and rewarding. They pick things up quickly and need mental challenges. This makes regular training vital. Their quick minds and eagerness make them perfect for families looking for a well-behaved small dog.

Papillon

The Papillon gets its name from its butterfly-like ears. It’s a small, intelligent dog breed. They are quick to learn and please their owners. They are known for their keenness and curiosity.

They learn commands fast because they are smart. This makes them great for all sorts of training. Papillons are perfect for those living in apartments. They are also an excellent choice for people getting a dog for the first time.

Papillons are not just smart; they’re very loving and like to be around people. They love to do things with their owners, like competing in obedience and agility. They’re even good at therapy work.

“Papillons are incredibly intelligent and have a natural agility instinct. They are quick learners and always eager to please. Training them is a joy because they are so willing to work with you and learn new things.” – Emily Thompson, Papillon owner

These dogs like to stay active. They need daily walks and playtime. It’s also vital to keep them mentally engaged. They really thrive when they can learn and problem-solve.

Key Features of Papillons:

• Small and lightweight, making them ideal for apartment living
• Highly trainable due to their intelligence and eagerness to please
• Curious and enjoy learning new things
• Affectionate and social, making them great companions
• Excels in various training activities and sports

Training Tips for Papillons:

1. Start training from an early age to establish good behaviors and manners.
2. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise to motivate and reward your Papillon.
3. Keep training sessions short and engaging to prevent boredom and maintain their focus.
4. Socialize your Papillon with other dogs and people to ensure they develop good manners and are comfortable in different settings.
5. Be patient and consistent in your training approach, as the Papillon’s intelligence allows them to quickly pick up on commands.

Disclaimer: While Papillons are generally easy to train, each dog has its own personality and may require different training approaches. It’s important to adapt your training methods to suit your individual dog’s needs.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a dog breed that shines with its obedience. These cute dogs are smart and love to make their people happy, which makes them a joy to train.

They learn fast and can do lots of commands quickly. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have an impressive 85% rate in obedience, proving how good they are at following orders. Their loyalty and willingness to learn makes them great for those looking for an obedient small-sized pet.

“Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known to be highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a joy to train. Their obedience is remarkable, and they are always eager to learn new commands.” – Dog Trainer, Jessica Adams

Training Pembroke Welsh Corgis is both fun and rewarding. Their sharp minds allow them to understand and respond to instructions quickly. This makes the training process smoother.

Besides being smart, they love to make their owners happy. This trait enhances their obedience. Their loyalty and devotion to their families push them to do well in training and follow commands.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are great for any home because of their small size and easy-to-teach nature. They behave well not just during training but also in all sorts of settings.

Training Tips for Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

• Start training early: Begin obedience training as soon as you bring your Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy home to establish good habits from the start.
• Use positive reinforcement: Reward your Corgi with treats, praise, and playtime when they exhibit desired behaviors during training sessions.
• Be consistent: Maintain a consistent training routine and use clear, concise commands to help your Corgi understand what is expected of them.
• Keep sessions short and engaging: Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a curious and active nature, so keep training sessions fun and interactive to hold their attention.
• Socialize your Corgi: Expose your Corgi to various people, animals, and environments from an early age to ensure they develop into well-rounded and obedient dogs.

Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is among the best well-behaved small dog breeds. They belong to the terrier group yet are very friendly. Plus, these dogs pick up lessons quickly, which is great for training. They often do well in sports and activities that focus on following rules and being disciplined.

Many say the Miniature Schnauzer’s smarts and need to make their owners happy help in their training. They are eager students and follow commands with ease. Their ability to learn and behave makes them a top pick for families needing a small, well-mannered dog.

“Miniature Schnauzers are highly intelligent dogs that thrive on mental stimulation and learning new tasks. Their ability to pick up commands quickly and retain them makes them ideal candidates for obedience training.” – Dog Training Expert, Karen Stevens

Miniature Schnauzers love being around people. They’re adaptable and fit well in many different homes, whether big or small. Their quick learning combined with their flexible nature makes adjusting to new places easy for them.

Known for their loyalty, Miniature Schnauzers really bond with their families. To help them become the best companions, regular training and positive ways to reward them are key.

Characteristics of Miniature Schnauzers

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies have a strong prey drive but can be trained well. They learn new tricks fast, obeying about 70% of the time. Training them with patience and consistency is key to success.

Training the Yorkshire Terrier

Training a Yorkie needs consistent effort, positive ways, and knowing what makes them tick. Here’s how to train your Yorkshire Terrier properly:

1. Start Early: Train your Yorkie right from when you get them. Early training and getting them used to others is important.
2. Be Patient: Even if Yorkies can be headstrong, stay calm and keep at it. They’ll learn with time.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement: When they do well, reward them with treats or praise. This makes them want to do it again.
4. Keep Training Sessions Short: Yorkies get bored easily, so short, fun lessons are better. Do this a few times a day.
5. Focus on Basic Commands: Teach them the essentials first, like “sit” and “stay”. Then, you can add more tricks.
6. Be Consistent: Make sure the rules in your home are always the same. This makes for a happier Yorkie.
7. Socialize Your Yorkie: Let them meet lots of people and other pets when they’re young. It’ll help them be friendlier and braver.

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

Yorkies are known for their bold and confident nature. Though small, they act fearlessly and make good guard dogs. They’re also very loving and stick close to their family as companions.

Remember, each Yorkie is different. Some are very social, while others are more cautious. Starting early with socializing can help them be well-behaved and friendly.

Living with a Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies are great for living in small spaces like apartments. They love being active, so daily walks are a must. Playtime is essential for their well-being.

Because they’re tiny, Yorkies may face some health issues. Dental care and regular check-ups are very important for their health and happiness.

Border Terrier

Border Terriers are smart and want to please, making them great for training. They’re quick learners and love to follow their owner’s lead. Positive and consistent training helps them become polite, well-behaved friends.

They were originally bred to hunt underground, so they respond well to training commands. Their quick minds help them pick up new tricks fast. This makes training these dogs both fun and effective.

These dogs also enjoy being with people, which is great for therapy work. Their friendly nature and small size offer comfort wherever they go. They shine in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, bringing smiles and friendship.

When it comes to training, rewarding them with treats and praise works best. It keeps them interested and eager to learn. Remember, they do best with a regular training schedule and predictable rules.

Tips for Training a Border Terrier:

• Start training early: Begin obedience training as soon as you bring your Border Terrier puppy home.
• Focus on positive reinforcement: Use treats, praise, and playtime as rewards for good behavior and obedience.
• Be consistent: Establish consistent rules and expectations, and ensure everyone in the household follows them.
• Keep training sessions short and fun: Border Terriers have a short attention span, so make training sessions brief and enjoyable.
• Socialize your Border Terrier: Expose them to different environments, people, and other animals to help them develop good social skills.

Border Terriers can fit many roles because they’re so obedient. From family pet to therapy dog, they serve with commitment. Their cleverness, desire to please, and fondness for humans make them a top pick for those wanting a loyal, small friend.

Conclusion

There are many small dog breeds that are very obedient. Some examples include Poodles, Papillons, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Border Terriers also make the list.

With regular training and praise, these dogs become great friends. They learn to listen well and behave nicely because of their training.

FAQ

Which small dog breeds are known for their obedience?

There are several small breeds that excel in obedience. Poodles, Papillons, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis are among them. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Border Terriers also stand out.

Are Poodles easy to train and obedient?

Indeed, Poodles are quite easy to train and are very obedient. Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles are known to be very eager to please. They do well in obedience training.

Are Papillons easy to train?

Yes, Papillons are not only cute and small but also highly trainable. They are smart and love picking up new things. This makes training them a breeze.

Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis easy to train?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are indeed easy to train. They pick up on new commands fast and have a strong desire to please their owners.

Are Miniature Schnauzers well-behaved small dog breeds?

Miniature Schnauzers are more than just cute; they are well-behaved. They’re very social and love learning new tasks. This makes them great in obedience and sports.

Can Yorkshire Terriers be trained to be obedient pets?

Yes, Yorkshire Terriers can become great obedient pets with work. They have a high prey drive but with consistent training and patience, they will show off their smarts and loyalty.

Are Border Terriers obedient small dogs?

Border Terriers are indeed obedient. They love to please and are quite smart. This makes them great for therapy work with the right training.

When it comes to finding the most obedient small dogs, which breeds should I consider?

If you’re looking for obedience, consider Poodles, Papillons, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis among others. With the right training, these breeds can become extremely well-behaved and obedient.