11 Easiest Dogs To Potty Train (with Photos)

House training can be difficult for any new pup because they are curious explorers who need to smell, taste, and scent-mark everything. Breeds like huskies, rottweilers, and pit bulls are the most stubborn breeds who are very intelligent and need a firm, mentally tough owner to guide them. 

Breeds such as Golden Retrievers, standard Poodles, and small dogs are easiest to house train because of their eagerness to please and food motivation levels. The less stubborn the dog, the easier they are to train. 

easiest dogs to potty train
Easiest dogs to potty train (with photos)

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise is a small dog who is excitable, eager to please, and sophisticated. They are one of the least stubborn dogs and live up to 15 years old. The Bichon makes for a great first-time owner, and they’ll fit in with a family with kids and other pets.

Since Bichon’s personality is so agreeable, they adapt well to any situation. 

happy bichon frise puppy
An extremely happy and tiny Bichon Frise puppy

Boston Terrier

Boston Terriers are hard to ignore with their big round eyes, pointy bat ears, and tuxedo markings. Like the Bichon Frise, the Boston Terrier is a reasonably well-rounded breed known for bringing smiles and making people laugh due to their quirky personalities and high energy level. 

two boston terrier puppies purebred
Two very young purebred Boston Terrier puppies

Boston Terriers are easy to housetrain due to their attentive attitude and intuitive behavior. They love to please their owners. This tuxedo breed is also empathetic, so they’ll know when their owner is upset with them. 

The Boston Terriers are a crossbreed between English Terriers and Bulldogs, so they’ll likely have a protective streak. However, despite the breed’s protective nature, they are one of the easiest dogs to train. However, it requires a busy and active lifestyle. 

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Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus have a royal history as they were bred to sit around the Emperor of China’s Palace and bark when intruders or strangers entered. It is unknown how the Shih Tzu came to the world, but they have interbred from Tibetan dogs, the Pug and the Pekingese.

shih tzu puppy
A Shih-Tzu puppy licks its face while playing with a toy.

Shih Tzus were considered friendly companions rather than working dogs, so they quickly became laid-back lap dogs. These long-haired breeds are the most adaptable and overall balanced breed as they don’t need much mental stimulation, are quick to please and are comfortable doing whatever you’d like. 

Border Collie

Border Collies are one of the most intelligent breeds, which makes them one of the easiest dogs to house train. With a bit of patience and a ton of positive reinforcement, you’ll have a breed that listens to your every command. 

border collie hiking in mountains
A Border Collie hiking in the mountains. For longer hikes a tough but comfortable harness is vital

Collies are most recognized for their herding behaviors as they were specifically bred for sheep farms and ranches worldwide. Border Collies need a job or activity to stay healthy and keep their mind active – some might say they’re workaholics due to their highly active personalities. 

These sheepdogs aim to please in any situation, love to play, and are super affectionate. Whether running for hours or being trained as a working dog, the Border Collie is the most agile and durable breed. 

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are easygoing, which makes them easy to train, as they appease their owners in every situation. These labs are known as sports dogs. 

couple with happy labrador retriever gold
Young happy couple walking with a Labrador Retriever near the lake in autumn

Labs are one of the most friendly breeds as they are affectionate with other pets, children, and strangers. 

Although they are friendly, they are also the most loyal and bond quickly with their “master,” so they make for great protectors if trained for that expertise. 

Australian Shepherd

Like the Collie, the Australian Shepherd is another herding dog known for their quick reflexes and sheeping or farming activities. The Australian Shepherd is the most agile, flexible, and trainable dog for work or sport among the shepherd breeds

running australian shepherd
A fit and healthy running Australian Shepherd dog

The Australian Shepherd is perfect for large families and needs tons of space to run freely as they have high energy levels that keep them going all day long. These breeds need lots of mental stimulation to be happy and are always looking for a job. 

Because of the Australian breed’s temperament, intelligence, and eagerness make them easily trainable. They adapt well to most situations, but they prefer routine-based lives. 

Papillon

Papillons are excellent therapy dogs because of their ability to relate and bond quickly with their owner. Papillons are a tiny breed who loves to please and aim to reach the goals of their owners. These small breeds adapt well to change and are most happy with families and other pets as they are incredibly social dogs

These small show dogs learn best with consistency and positive reinforcement. 

However, Papillons are very vocal and require a ton of mental stimulation to be happy. 

Miniature Schnauzer

You may recognize this dog as a jock from Lady and The Tramp. Despite their mini size, the Schnauzer is one of the most muscular and fearless.

schnauzer dog sitting in grass
A Schnauzer dog looking particularly regal. Prince pup!

Though their appearance is stocky and tough, they are one of the most friendly small breeds, able to adapt to any situation. 

Housetraining is easy with this small breed due to their loyal and compassionate attitude, doing anything their owner asks of them. Miniature Schnauzers were mainly bred to be ratters and farm dogs, maintaining and managing farm tasks such as guarding property due to their high-pitched bark. 

Shiba Inu

Housebreaking a Shiba Inu comes easily as they are the cleanest dog breeds due to their natural fastidiousness, like most hunting dogs. The Shiba Inu is the most common companion dog in Japan today because of their well-tempered and confident temperament. 

shiba inu in forest
A Shiba Inu dog on a trail hiking

Shiba Inus are instinctively protective and make for excellent guard dogs. Because of their small and athletic build, they aren’t overly playful, so after a long day of hunting, they are happy to laze around and be by their owner’s side.

Poodle

Standard poodles respond well to mental stimulation; therefore, training this breed becomes easy, and housebreaking takes as little as a week. Poodles are intelligent, eager to please, and athletic breeds who aim to satisfy their owners. 

poodle on hind legs
Yes, Poodles CAN stand on their hind legs like a human. Pretty odd to look at!

It’s hard not to love poodles due to their calm exteriors, beautiful coats, and friendly nature. They’re durable and adapt well to any circumstance. A standard poodle can be anything you train them to be, from a watchdog to a working dog to a plain companion. 

Doberman Pinscher

Looks can be deceiving. The Doberman Pinscher has been for all time known as the protective watchdog. However, they are incredibly friendly and one of the easiest to train breeds, which makes them make the list of easy to potty train.  

two doberman pinschers

Dobermans are remarkably intelligent and very strong, though their temperament does not match their build. This breed is exceptionally loyal and essentially a big suck. To own a Doberman means to have an active lifestyle. Dobermans need room to run and daily long walks to keep their mind busy. 

FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions you may run into when potty training these breeds.

When can you start potty training your puppy?

You can start potty training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. Usually breeders keep puppies of all breeds with their mother until they are about 8 weeks old, so you won’t be in charge of potty training until that time. However, many breeders start the potty training process while the pups are still in their care.

How long does it take to potty train a puppy?

Puppies catch on to potty training habits rather quickly. You’ll likely notice your pup practicing good potty habits from the get go. However, it may take 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully potty trained.

What is the best way to potty train a puppy fast?

There are many methods to potty training. The most important thing to remember is to provide your puppy the opportunity to go potty frequently. And keep in mind that puppies usually need to pee following meal times and play times.

What is bell training?

Bell training is a potty training method that helps the puppy know how to communicate with their owner that they need to go out to the bathroom. To bell train your puppy, you hang a bell from the door handle that you use most often to let your puppy out. Touch the puppies nose to the bell each time you let them out, and they will eventually start ringing the bell on their own.

Final Words

When looking for a new pup, you’ll need to think about temperament, appearance, and the purpose of your canine companion. Some breeds are challenging to train due to their stubbornness or intellectual levels, whereas others are eager to please. 

The above list of breeds is quick and effortless of all dog breeds to house train because each one resembles strength of the mind and intelligence. If you’re a new dog owner, the above breeds are a perfect addition to your home. 

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