With its small stature and lightweight body, this breed belongs to the American Kennel Club’s toy dog group. These pups are as well known for their perky, fringed, butterfly-shaped ears (“papillon” is French for “butterfly”) as they are their personality. Papillons are “intelligent, self-assured, playful, affectionate, and happy,” says Burch. They’re also excellent at learning tricks and obedience work, making them one of the best dogs for first-time owners. While these tiny pups may seem fragile, they’re go-getters that love to exercise and play. You can train papillon puppies to do almost anything, and these lively, popular pets thrive on mental stimulation and work. Try training them to do fun tricks or participate in dog sports, such as agility courses with hurdles to jump and poles to weave through.
But don’t consider it a dog-training mistake to skip the Earthdog stuff. It’s totally fine if your goal is simply to have your pup walk on a leash without pulling or heel off-leash, Jackson adds. Just know that any type of training will take effort on your part. “A lot of progress in training depends on the time a pet parent puts into working with their pup, which is why many pet parents are reminded that getting a puppy is hard work,” he says. “In the end, it’s always worth it—for both parties involved.”
These dogs are energetic and eager, so they’ll do best with a big yard or plenty of long walks. They’re also kind, playful, and loving, remaining loyal throughout life. They’re known for being very sensitive, so teach your puppy the foundations by being gentle and giving lots of positive reinforcement. They may be one of the easiest dogs to train, but the key to success is calmness. “The most important factor in maintaining calm in your dog is for you to remain calm,” says Briggs. “Emotions run down the leash, so whatever you’re feeling can be sensed by your dog.”
The statuesque Doberman pinscher is renowned for being one of the easiest dogs to train, which is why they’re frequently used for military and police work. Despite reputations as protective and fearsome guard dogs, these German dogs were actually bred as companion animals, making them great pets for families (yes, even kids). They’re known for being loyal, brave, trustworthy, and intelligent, and while they need plenty of enrichment and exercise, they’re also happy with a cuddle on the couch.
Keep in mind that border collies need a lot of dedicated time, attention, and activities. It’s worth the effort, though; collies are one of the most loyal dog breeds out there. Jackson recommends focusing on potty training, commands like “sit” and “stay,” and socializing to help your pup get used to new people, animals, and situations.
The Smooth Fox Terrier was the first variety of the fox terriers to be recognised as an official breed in the U.K, according to the Kennel Club. Puppy training classes with a terrier-savvy trainer are highly recommended.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are known for being loyal and friendly, but theyre also smart and eager to listen to their owners if well-trained. These dogs were originally bred to work on farms and have short legs so they can nip stubborn cattle to make them move, before quickly getting out of the way.
These tiny fluff balls are descended from large, working sled dogs. Poms generally are good at learning tricks, but owners must be consistent and firm when training them to avoid them becoming bossy.
Border Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, but are still independent and are driven to chase prey, as they were originally bred to work rats and foxes underground. These dogs love people and, with proper training, can make good therapy dogs.
A member of the AKCs toy group, Silky Terriers are closely related to Yorkshire Terriers. Like most terriers, these dogs have a strong prey drive but are intelligent, so take to training well.
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The Border Collie is part of the Herding Group breeds, which means that these pups enjoy herding other animals (and maybe even people, too). They are highly intelligence dogs full of energy, which makes them veritable athletes—they can learn tricks and exercises all while eager to please their owners.
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A smaller breed, the Border Terrier only weighs up to 25 pounds. Border Terriers are known for their good temperament and affectionate personality, making them a great family pet or companion for an active senior.