List of Small, Easily Trainable Dog Breeds

Small dogs can sometimes be difficult to train and are prone to behavioral problems if not properly raised. Sometimes the path of least resistance, picking up the dog and putting him where you want him, is easier than spending a few hours training him to go where you want him to go and do what you want him to do. However, if this is not your style and you want to find a small-breed dog that is easy to train, look to the more intelligent, less stubborn of the small breeds. Although the intelligence of a dog is somewhat subjective, anecdotal evidence suggests that some dog breeds are smarter, or at least easier to train, than others. Keep in mind that intelligence and "ease of training" are not necessarily the same thing. Dogs may be hard to train because they're stubborn.

  1. Papillon

    • The papillon, a member of the toy group, grows to a height of 11 inches at the withers and weighs around 10 lbs. It is a delicate dog with a long, straight coat and large ears. The ears are so remarkably large, that the breed name reflects their size and shape. The word papillon comes from the French word for "butterfly." The breed is friendly, intelligent and easy to train, with a happy-go-lucky attitude. Papillons are great with kids but don't expect to press them into service as watchdogs, as they are not very good at recognizing threats or sounding alarms. Firm training and socializing make papillons a good family dog and companion.

    Poodle

    • Poodles come in three sizes recognized by the AKC. They are: standard, toy and miniature. The miniature and standard poodles are members of the non-sporting group, while the toy, weighing less than 9 pounds, is in the toy group. Poodles are known for being highly intelligent and among the easiest breeds to train. Poodles, regardless of size, catch on very quickly and you will soon find, if your dog is treat motivated, that he "offers" trained behaviors to get the reward before you even ask. For example, if you have taught your dog to sit, shake hands, and speak, you may find him doing those things on his own if he thinks it will earn him the reward. Repetitive, positive training and reinforcing good behavior will quickly make this energetic, friendly little dog a joy to be around.

    Shetland Sheepdog

    • The "sheltie" is essentially a miniature version of a rough-coated collie like Lassie. Weighing less than 27 pounds, the sheltie stands about 16 inches tall. They have the loyalty and intelligence of their larger cousins. These dogs are notorious for being eager to please and for wanting to engage with their owners. This makes them easily trainable. Shelties need to be challenged and require human interaction, as they are truly "people" dogs. Shelties are great for families, easy to groom and care for, and make decent watchdogs. Positive reinforcement and effusive praise will yield the best results when training a sheltie.

    Schipperke

    • The schipperke is an 18-pound dog with a fox-like body and face. "Skips" are small, black, non-sporting dogs originally bred to be watchdogs and ratters on barges. Their name comes from the Flemish word "schip" which means boat. You may have seen skips in other colors, but AKC only allows black and shades of black. Because skips, also called "little captains," were bred to be watchdogs, they can be a little more vociferous than other breeds and the barking can easily get out of control if you don't catch it in time. However, if you address it in your training sessions you can put a stop to this unwanted behavior. Skips are loyal and devoted to their families and, despite being adequate watch dogs, are rarely aggressive. They have a lot of energy and are considered highly intelligent. They enjoy learning and interacting, making them a pleasure to train.

    Pomeranian

    • The pom is a member of the toy group and weighs less than 7 pounds. Poms have thick, fluffy coats and short muzzles. Pomeranians are active dogs thought to be extremely intelligent dogs. They began as 30 pound herding dogs, but were bred down into the compact companions they are today. They are energetic and friendly. Poms enjoy learning new things, are inquisitive, and get along well with other household pets. They can be nervous around active children, however, so they should be introduced to them carefully. Training should take place without distractions, at first, as they are also busybodies who don't want to miss out on anything going on around them. They have an independent streak.