Best Easy to Train Dogs – Perfect Puppy Breeds for Beginners

Woof woof humans! Mochi here — your resident cocker spaniel, part-time nap champion. 🐶 Today, I’m putting aside my very busy schedule (mainly drooling over bacon and plotting snack heists) to talk about something really important: easy to train puppy breeds. Not all of us pups are born ready to heel like pros or fetch your slippers on command. Some of us are more like: “Yeah, I heard you… but I’m too busy looking fabulous.”

If you’re a first-time dog parent, picking the right breed can mean the difference between an easy start and a house full of chewed-up shoes. So grab your coffee and let’s dig into the easiest puppies to train.

What Makes a Puppy Breed Easy to Train?

Okay, so you think training is just yelling “sit” and waving a cookie in my face? WRONG. The secret behind easy to train puppy breeds is all about three magical doggy ingredients:

–> Intelligence

Some pups are born brainiacs. Breeds like Border Collies and Poodles are so clever they sometimes outsmart their humans. Intelligent dogs learn commands quickly, remember routines, and even figure out how to solve problems on their own. The flip side? A smart dog without training gets bored— and boredom often leads to creative redecorating (chewing your entire living room).
👉 Fun fact: Border Collies can understand hundreds of words, which makes them one of the most trainable breeds in the world.

–> Eagerness to Please

Some dogs live for your approval. Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and similar breeds basically think you’re the greatest human who’s ever lived (and honestly, you are… as long as you have snacks). These pups want to make you happy, which means they’re usually quick to obey commands and adapt to routines. An eager-to-please dog will often anticipate what you want before you even say it — that’s how much they’re tuned in to you. The catch? Sometimes they get too excited and try a little too hard, like bringing you random objects that definitely aren’t slippers.

–> Motivation

Let’s be honest: all dogs have a “what’s in it for me?” attitude. The best easy to train puppy breeds are highly motivated by rewards — whether it’s treats, toys, or belly rubs. For food-driven breeds like Labs, training is basically snack time with extra steps. For play-driven breeds like Border Collies, a game of fetch can be as valuable as bacon. Motivation is what keeps us focused, engaged, and eager to try again when we get it wrong. Without it? Training gets boring fast, and you’ll lose our attention to something much more exciting… like a squirrel.

👉 According to The Spruce Pets, breeds that tick all three boxes — brains, eagerness, and motivation — learn faster and respond better to training.

First Training Steps for Easy Puppy Breeds

So, you picked one of the easiest puppy breeds to train. Now what? Even the brainiest pup still needs guidance. Here’s a Mochi-approved starter kit:

• Keep sessions short – 5–10 minutes, a few times daily.
• Start with basics – “sit,” “stay,” “come.” These are the ABCs of puppy school.
• Reward generously – Use high-value treats, toys, or belly rubs. (Preferably all three. Just saying.)
• Consistency is king – Same commands, same tone, every time.

⚠️ Don’t just train commands. Train manners too — like not stealing your sandwich. (Though honestly, no promises from me.)

Tip: While training, it’s smart to have a Dog First Aid Kit ready. Accidents happen even to the most careful puppies!

Top 5 Easy to Train Puppy Breeds for Beginners

Here’s the doggy honor roll — the best easy to train puppy breeds that make learning new tricks look like a walk in the park.

1. Labrador Retriever

The Sun calls them “the easiest dogs in the world,” and they’re not wrong. Labs are obsessed with food, ridiculously smart, and happiest when they have a job to do — whether that’s fetching tennis balls, being a guide dog, or keeping you company while you eat snacks (they’re very good at that). Their gentle, loyal nature makes them perfect for families, especially with kids. They’re also super versatile: need a jogging buddy, a swimming partner, or just a couch snuggler? A Lab’s got you covered.
🐾 Fun fact: Labradors have been America’s most popular dog breed for over 30 years. Labs are often listed among the best large dog breeds for families. Coincidence? Nope.

2. Golden Retriever

Labs’ equally charming cousins, Golden Retrievers are the poster pups for friendliness. They’re goofy, affectionate, and will do anything for approval (and treats). Goldens are famous for their patience and gentle nature, which makes them amazing family dogs — especially with kids. They’re also natural people-pleasers, so training feels more like playtime. Honestly, they’re so welcoming that if the mail carrier dropped a package, they’d probably carry it inside for you and wag their tail as a tip. That’s a Golden for you: endlessly loving, endlessly enthusiastic, and always eager to make you smile.

3. Shih Tzu

Wait, what? A Shih Tzu on the “easy to train” list? Yup — surprise entry. These fluffy little royals may not win any canine IQ contests, but they make up for it with resilience, charm, and a big willingness to adapt to family life. According to The Sun, they’re basically “bulletproof” in noisy, busy homes, meaning they can handle kids, chaos, and even your terrible karaoke nights. Training a Shih Tzu is less about barking orders and more about convincing them it was their brilliant idea all along. Think of them as the divas of dog school: they’ll learn the trick… but only if you clap at the end.

4. Poodle

Poodles are way more than their fancy haircuts. In fact, they’re some of the smartest dogs on the planet. The Standard Poodle ranks in the top five smartest breeds, which basically puts them in doggy Ivy League. They’re hypoallergenic (great for sneezy humans), highly adaptable, and love having their brains challenged. Training a Poodle isn’t just easy — it’s fun, because they thrive on mental stimulation and variety. They’ll happily learn tricks, play puzzle games, and even excel in canine sports like agility. And don’t let the posh look fool you: Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers, which means they’re just as happy splashing in a lake as they are prancing in a show ring.

5. Corgi

Stumpy legs. Big attitude. The Corgi may look like a loaf of bread with ears, but don’t let that fool you. These little herding dogs are clever, energetic, and surprisingly strong-willed. They were bred to herd cattle, so they’ve got a natural instinct to organize… well, everything. Kids, cats, vacuum cleaners — if it moves, a Corgi will probably try to herd it. They love learning tricks, but they also have a cheeky streak, so keeping training fun is key. Pro tip: a bored Corgi is basically a furry chaos machine with short legs.
🐾 Fun fact: Queen Elizabeth II had over 30 Corgis during her reign.

Best Small Dog Breeds That Are Easy to Train

Not everyone wants a pup the size of a small horse. For apartment dwellers, or humans who enjoy having a dog that doubles as a lap-warmer, here are some pint-sized smarty-paws. Don’t be fooled by their size — these are small easy to train puppy breeds with big brains and even bigger personalities:

Havanese

The Havanese is basically the social butterfly of the toy group. These little fluff-balls love people, kids, and even strangers who bring snacks. They’re adaptable, which makes them perfect for apartment life or busy families. Training them is fun because they’re eager to learn and live to please their humans… especially if it means cuddles are part of the deal.

Miniature Schnauzer

Meet the mustachioed professor of the dog world. With their iconic beard and bushy eyebrows, Miniature Schnauzers always look like they’re judging your life choices. Don’t worry though — they judge with love. These pups are clever, alert, and quick learners, which makes training pretty straightforward. Just don’t forget they’re terriers at heart: spunky, stubborn, and sometimes convinced they’re 10 times bigger than they actually are.

Papillon

Papillons might be tiny, but don’t let their butterfly-shaped ears fool you — they’re secretly geniuses. In fact, Papillons are one of the top 10 most intelligent breeds. That’s right, this delicate-looking pup could probably help you with your taxes (though I wouldn’t trust them with the calculator). They thrive on mental stimulation, so puzzle toys and advanced training are their jam.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians may weigh as much as a sandwich, but these fluffballs have the personalities of rock stars. Think tiny divas with fur coats. They’re sharp, curious, and learn quickly — but they also know how to work a crowd. Their small size makes them perfect for city life, though they sometimes forget they’re not wolves and will happily bark at anything that moves. With proper training, they’re surprisingly obedient and will proudly show off tricks for applause.

Breeds That Might Challenge Beginners

Some dogs are undeniably beautiful, but let’s just say… they’re not exactly on the easy to train puppy breeds list. For first-time owners, these breeds can be a handful (or a full-blown circus).

Siberian Husky

Ah, Huskies. Gorgeous? Absolutely. Easy to train? HA! Huskies are the divas of the dog world. They’re independent, mischievous, and famous for their dramatic “arguments” with humans (loud howling at 3 a.m. because you dared to sleep instead of playing). They were bred to pull sleds across Siberia, so they have insane stamina. If you’re not running marathons or don’t own a sled, a Husky might decide to channel that energy into… say… redecorating your backyard. Escape artistry is their specialty — some Huskies should come with “Houdini” as a middle name.

Dalmatian

Thanks to Disney, Dalmatians became superstars, but real-life ownership is not always a fairytale. These spotted athletes are bundles of energy, needing tons of exercise and mental stimulation. Without it? Hello chaos! They were historically bred as carriage dogs, running alongside horses for miles — so “daily walk” doesn’t cut it. Training a Dalmatian can be rewarding, but it requires patience and creativity. On the upside, you’ll never have to explain who your dog is — everyone knows the star of 101 Dalmatians.

Akita

Akitas are loyal, powerful, and majestic. But here’s the catch: they’re also fiercely independent. An Akita won’t just obey because you said so — you’ve got to earn their respect. Think of them as the strong, silent type with a mind of their own. Historically, they were bred as guard dogs and protectors in Japan, so they’re naturally wary of strangers. Training can be tricky for beginners because Akitas don’t like being bossed around.

Fun fact: Japan has a famous Akita named Hachiko, remembered for waiting at a train station for his owner every single day — even years after his owner passed away. Loyal? Absolutely. Easy for first-timers? Not so much.

Bulldog

Bulldogs are the ultimate couch potatoes. Squishy faces, stocky bodies, and enough snoring to rival a freight train. They’re affectionate, loyal, and can be quite stubborn — which makes training a test of patience. Bulldogs are also prone to overheating and health issues, so exercise is usually limited (which they’ll thank you for, by the way). Imagine trying to get one off the couch for training: it’s like convincing a teenager to clean their room. But once you figure out what motivates them, they’re surprisingly willing learners… in short bursts.

Everything You’ve Wondered About Easy-to-Train Puppies

Final Thoughts from Mochi

If you’re brand-new to this dog-parent gig, pick a breed that actually wants to cooperate — unless you enjoy googling “why won’t my puppy listen?”. Behind every “easy” breed is still a furry chaos machine waiting to learn. But with the right approach (and treat stash), you’ll have a well-trained best friend for life!

If you want to dig deeper into keeping your pup happy, safe, and well-trained, I’ve sniffed out some handy reads:

10 Mistakes New Dog Owners Regret Making – learn from other humans’ oopsies before it happens to you.

Tips For First Time Dog Owners – perfect for beginners to avoid common mistakes.

Best Guard Dogs for Families – if you ever need a protector alongside your well-trained pup.

Now if you’ll excuse me… I hear the treat jar opening. Priorities, humans.

Paw-five,
Mochi 🐾