Everyone deserves a furry friend. Having a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. When you bring a dog into your home, you are essentially adding a new member of your family. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, either have children or other pets, you will need to train your dog to ensure that they adequately adapt to your lifestyle. Not every dog has the ability to grasp training as well as others. No matter the breed, each dog takes a lot of patience, time, and effort to train. Some are more difficult than others. People would preferably like to have a dog that is easier to train.
In this article, we will go over the ten dog breeds that are the easiest to train, as well as what you need to take into consideration before bringing a cuddly pup home.
The Top Ten Easiest Dogs to Train
- German Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Bearded Collie
- Border Terrier
- Papillon
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
What You Should Know Before Getting a Dog
Now that you know which dog breeds respond well to training, the homework doesn’t stop there. Remember, you’re bringing a living, breathing, joyful pet into your life – not an inanimate piece of furniture. There are several facets of introducing a dog to your home that you should take into consideration before taking the plunge and bringing home a new four-legged pal.
Make Sure You Can Commit to Your Dog
Bringing a dog into your home is like bringing a child into your life. Dogs can live anywhere up to ten to fifteen years. In their early years, they are very energetic and require a lot of attention. Dogs are naturally gifted. They a playful energy that you don’t necessarily find with cats. Plus, their potty time requires a walk outside rather than a litter box. For this reason, dogs are a commitment. If you cannot allocate the necessary time needed to properly care for your animal, then a lower maintenance pet such as a fish or a hamster might be a better fit for your lifestyle.
Will You Be Able to Afford a Dog? 
Dogs and cats are not cheap. Not only are there adoption fees for dogs, but vet bills can often come with a lofty price tag. Many pet owners wind up applying for a separate credit card just to account for their pet-related expenses. Not only a trip to the vet will cost you a pretty penny, but everyday essentials such as food and medicine adds up over time. As humans, we tend to put aside our health, but you cannot jeopardize the health of your dog. You need to consider the financial responsibility that comes along with having a dog before you decide to bring one into your life.
How Much Attention Can You Give Your Dog?
As mentioned earlier, dogs can be very energetic. You do not want to leave your dog at home alone all day as they’ll feel neglected and ignored. To a dog, you’re their whole world. You’re their favorite human. If you tend to find yourself working long hours, you travel frequently, or you’re barely home on the weekends, when will you have time to spend with your loveable pooch? It’s simply not fair to bring a new doggie into your home when you know you will not have the time to give it the love it deserves.
What Kind of Research Have You Done?
It isn’t enough to simply desire to have a pet. There is a reason your parents were so hesitant to get you a pet when you were a child. It is a huge responsibility and you should do some considerable research before opting to adopt one. On top of consulting the internet, you should also contact your local vet for additional information to help you along the decision-making process.
Are You Allergic?
If you’ve never had a dog before, you may not be cognizant of whether or not you have allergies. The last thing you want to experience is falling in love with your new furry friend, only to discover that you are highly allergic to them. Try to spend time with a family member or a friend’s dog to see how your body reacts. If you are allergic, you can look into hypoallergenic dogs to keep your runny nose and sneezes at bay.
What Training Will Your Dog Need?
Sure, it’s cute when dogs can do tricks for treats, but some training is essential – such as potty training. Every dog learns in their unique way, and you will need to exercise different techniques to teach them things like how to use the bathroom outside. Many dog owners opt to hire a professional trainer at this juncture to ensure their pup is fully ready to become a part of their family.
How Should You Train Your Dog?
Now that we have gone through the different aspects you need to take into account before adopting a dog, here are some quick and helpful tips on how to train your dog:
- Training should start while your dog is still a puppy. Puppies can learn a lot easier than older dogs. You know the old saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” There is some truth to that sentiment. It is simply easier to train a puppy. If you are getting your puppy from a breeder, be sure to gain a good rapport with that breeder to keep your relationship alive long after you bring home your pup.
- Make sure you teach your puppy some basic skills. This includes eating routines, potty training, and when it is time to take them for a walk.
- While you can train a dog on your own, it is suggested that you take your dog to a training class. Not only will you have access to a professional, but you will introduce socialization to your dog by exposing them to other dogs, as well as a new environment.
Even though we provided the best dogs to train in this article, there are still precautions that you need to take into account. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on different dog breeds before bringing one into your home. A dog is a massive responsibility that should be taken seriously. When done properly, you can enjoy many laughs and memorable times with your new pooch.