Training is an incredibly important part of responsible dog ownership. A well-trained dog is a dream, while a poorly-trained dog can be an absolute nightmare to handle.
Whether you want your dog to obey the basic commands, an attentive guard dog, or a pup that can perform the best tricks on the block, a regular training schedule is critical.
All dogs are capable of training, but breeds are not equal in practice - some train easier than others because of a few personality traits that lend well to training.
We’re here to let you know why training is so essential, what traits help make the best-trained dogs, and which dog breeds are the easiest to train.
Why is dog training important?
Training isn’t just about getting your pup to listen to you. There are a few reasons why well-trained dogs are some of the easiest dogs to own.
Obedience
Dog training, first and foremost, is a crucial part of getting your dog to listen and follow your command.
Some of our pups’ favorite activities are things they really shouldn’t be doing - jumping on people, chewing our stuff, and barking at strangers.
Regular training means when it matters most, your dog will listen to your command. For their safety, yours, and those around you, practice training regularly.
Mental and physical health
Training provides your dog with necessary mental and physical stimulation. Dogs are well-known for enjoying one, or two, or several hours of shut-eye every day.
Although the most obedient dogs like to rest, they need adequate mental and physical exercise to release pent-up energy to prevent poor behavior.
Mental stimulation will help keep your dog’s brain healthy and prevent age-related brain disease.
A dog’s physical health can also benefit from good training. Learning how to sit correctly and walk on a leash without pulling on it keeps their joints healthy.
You can also train your puppy to use dog ramps for beds, couches, and cars, as constant jumping can strain the joints of small and aging dogs.
How to train a dog to use a pet ramp
- Lay the ramp down on a stable, non-slip floor.
- Lure your dog with a treat toward the ramp.
- Get your pup to put one paw on the ramp. Give a treat.
- Move up to placing two paws, and then standing fully on the ramp.
- Progress until the dog can easily walk up and down the ramp.
*You may want to leash your dog to better guide their path along the ramp until they familiarize themselves.
Building a strong bond
By training your dog, you’ll build a strong, loving bond that will benefit both of you.
Effectively, regularly training your dog establishes a dominance hierarchy that a dog, being a pack animal, needs to live their best life.
The most obedient dog breeds thrive from the structure of a healthy and assertive alpha (you) that can guide them through their day-to-day lives.
What makes a dog trainable?
There are common personality traits that you will find in the best-behaved dog breeds. The features that most easy-to-train dogs share are the following:
- Easily motivated with food
- Very social and enjoy spending time with other pets and people
- Strong focusing skills
The most trainable dogs will have a potent combination of all three traits!
The most trainable dog breeds
Australian Shepherd
Australian shepherds, or Aussies, are herding dogs that work tirelessly and are highly intelligent, making them one of the best dog to train.
These pups can be independent thinkers and get easily bored, so the best way to keep them obedient is through regular training and exercise.
At times, they can be hesitant in new situations, so socializing these pups often will keep them behaving their best.
Labrador Retriever
Labs are a great dog breed for beginners - adorable, sweet, and very attached to their owners; these dogs live to make you happy.
They are the most food-motivated dogs as they are genetically unable to feel full, no matter how much they eat. For this reason, owners need to carefully measure what their labs eat, as filling up the food dish will lead to an obese pup pretty quickly.
This strong food motivation also means you can quickly train these dogs with a pocket full of treats and positive reinforcement.
Border Collie
Border collies make some of the best-behaved dogs as they are incredibly attentive and can remain intensely focused during training.
They like to have jobs to focus their energy on, so be sure to keep them busy and tire them out regularly.
These dogs are prone to nervousness in new environments, so exposing them to new places, people, and things from a young age can help to build a brave and social collie.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Don’t get these little guys confused with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, an even smaller version of the Cardigan.
The Cardigan has retained more of their cattle-herding instinct than the Pembroke, making them more willing and easy to train.
They’re not territorial yet build a strong and loyal bond with their owner, which can translate into a willingness to listen and train well.
Poodle
Poodles are the second smartest dogs globally, making them one of the naturally easy-to-train dog breeds.
Poodles are highly emotionally sensitive and deeply bonded to their owners, but their sensitivity can cause anxiety if not kept in check.
A good training program and exposure to outside stimuli from a young age will keep these pups from turning into scaredy-cats.
German Shepherd
German shepherds are the top choice for police dogs and with good reason. When it comes to training dogs for special duties, they are one of the easiest dog breeds to train.
They’re calm and whip-smart, almost off-puttingly so. German shepherds take their responsibilities very seriously and can turn their laser focus onto any task at hand.
German shepherds are massive dogs that need a lot of exercise - if they don’t get enough, they are prone to restlessness and bad behavior.
Golden Retriever
The golden retriever is a fluffy, easy going dog breed with a heart of absolute gold.
These dogs are incredibly loyal to owners and will quickly and obediently follow commands from you. They’re very patient, which is great for keeping focus during training and spending time with children.
They make terrible guard dogs, as they have zero mean bones in their body and will try to befriend unwanted intruders.
Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are highly intelligent, even as pups, and are very intuitive, making them a dream for dog owners to train.
They’re very affectionate and generally friendly when well-socialized. Beware around others and make sure your Doberman understands that strangers are mostly friends, as they tend toward aggression when they feel that their family may be threatened.
Final notes
Every dog benefits from a solid training regimen, regardless of the breed you choose.
If you want to delve into advanced dog training, you can choose the right breed to fit into your life based on their levels of food motivation, social skills, and ability to focus.
Either way, we’re sure you’ll end up with a sweet and loving dog that will obey your command so you can build a beautiful relationship together.
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