12 Easiest Dog Breeds To Train (Even For First-Time Owners)

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

Dalmatian sitting and giving its paw to a person.
Bethany Ferr/Pexels

Training a dog can be a fun journey, especially with a breed that’s excited to learn. As a first-time dog owner, you might feel a little unsure about how to train your new furry friend. Some dog breeds are known for being very easy to train because they are smart, eager to please, and quick learners. Let’s look at 12 dog breeds that are perfect for beginners and easy to train, helping to make your experience as a dog owner more enjoyable and straightforward.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever playing with a ball in the water.
Thijs van der Weide/Pexels

Labrador Retrievers are often regarded as one of the easiest breeds to train. Known for their friendly and eager-to-please nature, they excel in obedience training. Labs are highly intelligent and full of energy, always ready to learn new tricks or take on more advanced tasks. They thrive in social settings and enjoy being around people, which makes them ideal for first-time dog owners looking to build a strong bond with their dog. Additionally, their adaptability helps them fit into various environments, making them excellent family pets. With consistent training, they quickly become well-behaved and loyal companions.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever shaking paws with a child in the park.
RDNE Stock project/Pexels

Golden Retrievers are a popular breed known for their friendly nature and their ease of training. Their patient and calm attitude makes it easy to teach them new commands. These dogs really want to make their owners happy, which makes training sessions fun and easy. Golden Retrievers thrive on praise and rewards, making positive reinforcement a great way to train them. Moreover, their friendly nature makes them wonderful companions for families and other pets, allowing you to train them to behave well in different environments. Golden Retrievers are great at obedience training and picking up new tricks.

3. Poodle

Bichon Frise standing beside a person on a wooden staircase.
Erik Mclean/Pexels

Poodles are often overlooked for their trainability, but they are among the smartest dog breeds. Whether you choose a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle, you’ll find these dogs highly intelligent and eager to please. Poodles enjoy mental challenges, making training enjoyable. They learn commands quickly and are motivated by treats, which helps in reinforcing positive behaviors. Poodles are adaptable and respond well to various training methods, from basic obedience to more advanced tricks. With the right approach, Poodles can be wonderful companions, providing both mental stimulation and affectionate companionship for their owners.

4. Border Collie

Border Collie running with a pink ball in its mouth.
Magda Ehlers/Pexels

Border Collies are renowned for their intelligence, which makes them an ideal choice for training. They have a strong work ethic and thrive on mental challenges, excelling in obedience and agility training. Border Collies learn quickly and once they understand a command, they can repeat it with ease. However, they require regular, structured training to stay focused and prevent boredom. This breed needs both physical activity and mental stimulation, making them perfect for active owners. With the right training methods and consistent engagement, Border Collies can become highly skilled and obedient companions.

5. Beagle

Beagle puppy standing on a paved path on a leash.
ROMAN ODINTSOV/Pexels

Beagles are friendly, curious, and intelligent, making them a great choice for first-time dog owners looking for a trainable pet. While Beagles can be independent, their love for food makes them highly motivated to learn new commands. Regular training sessions and positive reinforcement help them quickly pick up basic obedience tasks. Beagles thrive on routine and structure, so incorporating training into daily life helps keep them on track. Their friendly and sociable nature makes them great with other pets and people, making them ideal companions for families seeking a loyal and well-mannered dog.

6. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd shaking off water at the beach.
Patrick/Pexels

Australian Shepherds are energetic, intelligent, and easy to train. They excel in obedience and agility training due to their quick learning ability and eagerness to please. This breed thrives in active environments, where they can engage in physical and mental challenges, making them perfect for families who enjoy outdoor adventures. Australian Shepherds form strong bonds with their owners and respond well to training. They require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation, but their intelligence and work ethic make training a rewarding experience for new owners who are prepared to invest time and effort.

7. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel looking at a treat held by a person.
RDNE Stock project/Pexels

Cocker Spaniels are loving, sociable, and keen to make you happy, which makes training them a breeze. These dogs really respond well to positive reinforcement and love picking up new commands. Their calm and understanding demeanour makes them perfect for first-time dog owners, particularly for those looking for a dog that is simple to train and friendly with kids. Cocker Spaniels love being with their family and can easily adjust to new surroundings. Their ability to learn, along with their loving nature, makes them great pets for new dog owners seeking a friendly and well-mannered companion.

8. German Shepherd

German Shepherd standing on rocky terrain with a collar.
RDNE Stock project/Pexels

German Shepherds are smart and adaptable, making them easy to train. This breed is great at obedience training, and many German Shepherds serve as service dogs or police dogs because they learn quickly. They love to make their owners happy and react positively to encouragement. They need regular training and early socialisation to avoid any unwanted behaviours. German Shepherds thrive in active families that can offer them consistent mental and physical engagement. With the right training, they turn into loyal and obedient friends, thriving in many roles, whether as a family pet or a working dog.

9. Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog sitting while looking up at a treat.
JacLou- DL/Pexels

Shetland Sheepdogs, often called Shelties, are smart and eager to please, which makes them very easy to train. They learn quickly and love getting involved in activities like obedience training and dog sports. Shelties respond well to positive reinforcement and do best when they get praise and rewards. Shetland Sheepdogs are gentle and loving, making them wonderful friends for families with kids. They can easily adapt, allowing them to fit into various environments and training styles. With a little patience and consistency, Shelties can be well-mannered and obedient, making them a great choice for first-time owners.

10. Boxer

Boxer running excitedly on a leash.
Nicki Dick/Pexels

Boxers are fun-loving, lively, and fast learners, making training a breeze. They might show some stubbornness now and then, but their smarts and affection for people make them enthusiastic learners. Boxers do best with encouragement, and they love getting praise, treats, and engaging in fun activities. Boxers are also known for being loving and friendly, which makes them wonderful family pets that love to be involved in everything happening around them. With their high energy levels, these dogs require lots of exercise and mental engagement. However, with proper training, they can be obedient and well-mannered companions.

11. Papillon

Papillon sitting in tall grass with a happy expression.
Blue Bird/Pexels

Papillons are small dogs with vibrant personalities, making them easy to train. Despite their size, they are among the smartest breeds and enjoy learning new tricks. Their eagerness to please and love for positive reinforcement makes training sessions enjoyable and successful. Papillons are ideal for families or anyone looking for a small, intelligent companion. Additionally, they are adaptable to various living spaces, thriving in both apartments and houses. Their affectionate nature, combined with their sharp minds, makes them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners who want a smart, easy-to-train, and loving pet.

12. Dalmatian

Dalmatian lying on the floor while interacting with a person.
Bethany Ferr/Pexels

Dalmatians are recognised for their unique coat and their friendly nature. They are very easy to train, particularly when they get early socialisation and regular training. Dalmatians are smart dogs that love to learn new tricks, and they thrive on positive reinforcement. They can be independent at times, so training might need a little extra patience and consistency. Dalmatians are energetic dogs that require a lot of exercise, which makes them a great choice for active families. Dalmatians can become loyal and well-behaved friends with the right training and care.

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