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14 Most Obedient Small Dog Breeds (Solved & Explained)

Obedient small dogs can be a great addition to any family, but if they are not trained properly then they will only create problems for everyone. A dog that cannot be controlled is one that are going to cause trouble in your home, and can potentially cause harm to anyone who comes into contact with the dog.

Dogs that are well-trained are going to be friendly and very gentle, and are not going to be a nuisance to your neighbors or guests.  Take a look at the list below for the most obedient small dog breeds.

Miniature or Toy Poodle

Miniature Poodle

Poodles do possess certain characteristics of being highly-loved and submissive dogs, they are not commonly known for being obedient and having a good temperament. Poodles are very friendly, well-balanced dogs with an eagerness to please that makes them ideal companions for families with children and busy work schedules.

They are also known to be good with kids and other animals outside their own breed, making them a great choice for first-time owners. Because they are calm, well-balanced poodles are easy to train and bring enjoyment to the life of every owner.

Papillon

Papillon

The temperament of this dog is average, with docile behavior and a disposition most  owners find friendly and quite enjoyable to be around. This breed normally has high energy levels but possesses a calm temperament that makes it a good choice for companionship. They love to be in the company and even if given very little space, they will still run around the house.

The most outstanding feature of this toy breed is its great intelligence. They are exceptionally clean and decent animals, both physically and mentally and have proved to be faithful and trustworthy. These traits have made the papillon breed a popular pet among many people, both for their friendliness and their energy.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

If you’re thinking of getting a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you’re not alone. This breed has become extremely popular in the United States and in Europe as well, mainly because of their cute and adorable appearance. The truth is that Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very intelligent dogs that make very good pets. 

One of the most important things that you can do to help your Pembroke Welsh Corgi is by introducing it to basic obedience commands early on. These types of commands are “Sit” and “Stay” and “Fetch”.

Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Fox Terrier

One of the most common traits of a Fox Terrier is that they are highly intelligent and trainable. The good thing about these dogs is that they are great companions for children and very easy to train. Training your Fox Terrier can be very easy and fun if you use positive reinforcement.

The trick is to use training techniques that are consistent and rewarding. By using treats and praise with your Fox Terrier you will establish positive behaviors. Once your dog learns to respond to the commands of the trainer, it will be much easier to modify their behavior in other situations.

Bichon Frisé

Bichon Frisé

If you’re thinking of getting a Bichon Frisé and you want to teach him or her some tricks then it is a good idea to start training early on. While the breed is naturally obedient, there are some things that the breed is not able to do as well as other dogs and training can help a dog learn how to be one with people in general, rather than feeling forced into doing things.

One thing that owners of these dogs enjoy is learning how to train them. Bichon Frisé can learn to be obedient to their owners by listening to commands. But you must remember that training is done in a positive manner and training should never be punishing. Training your dog should be fun and you should incorporate lots of praise when they do something right. 

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier dog is an excellent choice for a family pet. These dogs are very affectionate, loyal and adoring, and they make great companions for children. However, despite their loving disposition, Boston Terriers has a reputation as being somewhat fearless and a little unpredictable, especially when it comes to housebreaking. 

Fortunately, owning a Boston Terrier is not all that difficult, since they make an excellent choice for family pets. They are intelligent and eager to please, and they love spending time with children. In general, they get along well with other animals, but they do get bored easily and may show aggression towards them or other dogs. Training your Boston Terrier is very simple, since they respond well to praise and firm voice commands, and are good with children under the age of six.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The personality of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is often very strong, making it a popular choice. This breed is a highly intelligent dog that requires, perhaps, more control than other dogs of its type. A well-socialized Cavalier King Charles will be a pleasure to have around. This breed tends to get along with other dogs and children, but it is still better to introduce them to each other early, during puppyhood.

It is also helpful to take your new dog to obedience training classes where you can learn how to properly control him or her when no one else is around, such as in the house. The main purpose of obedience training is to turn your puppy or dog into a well-behaved member of the family and to develop its responsibility for the behavior of all members of the family.

Smooth Fox Terrier

Smooth Fox Terrier

The Fox Terrier is one of the few dogs of this type that can be very easily trained to be obedient. Because they live and work primarily in a hunting environment, their training needs to include being attentive to their owner’s commands and being patient with them. In order to build a good relationship with your Fox Terrier, you need to start when you first bring him home and continue training on a daily basis until he has mastered the skills necessary for a trained dog. 

The best thing that you can do to help your dog learn to be obedient is to make sure that you spend a lot of time with them and make them feel comfortable and relaxed around you. This will go far in helping them to accept the training that you will be applying and make them eager to try whatever you ask of them. With patience and persistent efforts your Fox Terrier puppy will develop into a well-trained and obedient dog.

Rat Terrier

Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is an American breed with a long history as a hunting companion and farm dog.  Rat Terriers are also commonly used as assistance dogs and are used in a variety of capacities, including being therapy animals, companions for the blind and deaf, and herders. 

Regardless of their small size, Rat Terriers make great pets and loyal friends. They are active and intelligent, and are capable of a wide range of behavior from friendly and gentle to highly protective and self-sensitive. This Rat Terrier breed is highly respectful of its owner and will stick by his side through thick and thin. They have an athletic drive and love to run, making them ideal for people who like to travel and enjoy long walks.

Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon are one of the most popular and widely used breeds in the world. They were first bred in Brussels, Belgium as pets and later on released into the show ring scene and have since become household names all over the world. This breed is known for its agility and obedience skills, but it is also known to be a very lovable dog.

However, these qualities do not come easy as these dogs have a very high energy level that requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Their intelligence makes them capable of learning new things. If you want a dog that is intelligent but can be trained, then this dog is perfect for you. They are great companions and are very lovable. You should be happy and proud of your dog.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier was originally bred in Ireland and has since become one of the most popular breeds in the United States. The Cairn Terrier is very energetic and happy with a lot of attention. They make great pets and are loyal toward the family. 

The Cairn Terrier is highly intelligent and will respond well to training. They need to know from the beginning that you are the boss, and that you will submit to their commands. This breed has a natural desire to please its owner and will do so if you work to train him or her properly. They are excellent watchdogs and make great pets.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua dog is probably one of the oldest known breeds. They were first bred in the 16th century, and they remain popular today, with many people having more than one Chihuahua dog to share. The Chihuahua was named after the Mexican nation of Chihuahua, and is the smallest breed of domestic dog.

These dogs are very affectionate and loyal, and are known for their obedience. The Chihuahua does make a good watch dog but can also be aggressive toward strangers. They are small, weighing between four and six pounds, with a size up to ten inches tall.

Dachshund

Dachshund

The Dachshund can be used as service or house dogs and they are very affectionate and loving with their owners. However, these are very dominant dogs and hence you should train them well from an early age onwards. The first thing that you need to do is decide on what type of training you want your dog to get. If you want your Dachshund to be obedient than you need to start obedience training at an early age.

Moreover, if you want your dog to be obedient then you should not use any harsh training methods as it may affect the bond between you and your dog. The next thing that you should keep in mind is that you should train your dog using positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement simply means rewarding your dog for positive behaviors and ignoring negative behaviors.


Pomeranian

Pomeranian

The Pomeranians were originally bred as toy dogs for their small size and affectionate nature. The most popular breeds in the United States today is the Pomeranian, which makes it a popular choice for those who own dogs as part of the family. It is an excellent choice for a family pet because it requires little grooming, is extremely gentle with children, and can be trained to be a guard dog. 

Because of their small size and loving nature, they make great companions for children and old people alike. Even though Pomeranians are small, when they grow older they can be very vigorous and energetic. 

Author

  • Karin S

    Welcome to All About My Small Dog, where my love for small dogs and years of hands-on experience meet your need for trusted information. As a dedicated small dog enthusiast and pet parent, I'm deeply committed to sharing expert insights, reliable advice, and a community of support. Every blog you read here is crafted with the utmost care, guided by my passion and expertise. You can trust that you're in the right place for valuable insights and a warm community that understands the unique joys and challenges of small dog ownership. Together, we'll make sure your small dog's world is filled with love, care, and knowledge.