What Is the Easiest Dog to Housebreak?

Housebreaking a puppy can be frustrating even for the most patient dog owner. For some dogs, it is a much more difficult process than for others. How easy your new pet is to housebreak depends more on your consistency and persistence than the type of dog. However, some dog breeds are predisposed to learn any skill, including one as basic as becoming housebroken, more quickly than others. While there is no way to definitively say which dogs are the easiest to housebreak, it is possible to label some breeds as easier to train than others.

  1. The Effect of Size on Training

    • It is important to note that small breeds are widely considered more difficult to housebreak than large breeds. According to CanineTalk.com, the most common reason toy breeds are given up is trouble with housebreaking. While there may be some genetic reason for this, it is more likely that small dog breeds are subject to less effective training tactics. If a Chihuahua has an accident on the living room floor, it can be cleaned up with a swipe of a paper towel. If a German Shepard has the same accident, however, cleanup is noticeable and unpleasant, so the owner is far more likely to take the time to make the dog understand his mistake. Be aware that even the tiniest pup needs consistent reinforcement to learn a behavior regardless of how insignificant an issue it seems at the start.

    Poodle

    • Widely regarded as one of the most intelligent dog breeds, poodles were originally bred as "gun dogs" or retrievers. Poodles tend to excel in all form of obedience training, and housebreaking is no exception. There are three types of poodle: toy, miniature and standard. The three have similar temperaments and look essentially the same. The toy poodle weighs in at about 6 pounds. More well-behaved than most toy dogs and easier to housebreak, this is the least predictable of the poodles. The miniature poodle, coming in at about 15 pounds, is more stable than its smaller counterpart, with an excellent disposition that allows for easy housebreaking. The 50-pound standard poodle is also easily trainable. The calmest of the poodles, standards are the best for families with young children.

    Australian Shepard

    • An extremely intelligent and adaptable breed, the Australian shepherd is primarily a herding dog, but can make a great pet for any active owner. Australian shepherds tend to be quite social. Because of their desire to be part of the action, they are loyal and eager to please. This enthusiasm and intelligence make the breed easily trainable. They are happiest when they have a job to do, something that keeps them active and makes them feel useful. This means that training should not end with housebreaking. You should give your Aussie a sense of responsibility, which should at least include some tricks or territory to protect. Otherwise their energy and enthusiasm will build up, possibly resulting in destructive behavior.

    Havanese

    • Cuba's only native dog breed, the Havanese is a small, loving breed that has been widely overlooked despite its excellent temperament and trainability. This means it has not been overbred, so it is less likely to have medical problems or unexpected personality flaws than some more popular breeds. Intelligent, social and eager to please, Havanese are great companions and fast learners that only act out when there is a lack of effective leadership. Consistency and affection are all it takes to make your Havanese into the perfect pet.

    Doberman Pinscher

    • Unrelated to the miniature pinscher, Dobermans are a mixture of several large dog breeds, including rottweilers and greyhounds. The Doberman pinscher was created by a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann when he wanted a watchdog that resembled the miniature pinscher. Loyal and obedient, this breed is one of the best protectors because it is usually fearless without being vicious. Their bad reputation is based largely on the fact that Doberman owners often train their watchdogs to be more ferocious than the dogs would naturally be. In reality, Dobermans are intensely devoted pets. Add this to their high level of intelligence and you can see why Doberman pinschers are some of the easiest dogs to housebreak and train.

    Brittany

    • An active and intelligent medium-sized dog, the Brittany was developed as a hunting dog but makes an excellent companion. Despite an independent streak, these spaniels are generally easy to handle and keen on satisfying their owners. The Brittany always needs to be reminded who is in charge because, if not, it will begin to believe it is pack leader. With a confident trainer, though, a Brittany will quickly learn its place and work actively to please that trainer. With minds as active as their bodies, Brittanys are definitely not lap dogs but they are some of the most easily trainable and rewarding dog breeds there is.