We really want a small dog but we've heard that toy breeds are very hard to potty train. which breed do you think is the easiest of the smaller breeds? We like the yorkies but i hear that they are nearly impossible to fully train.

Hi…Well Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are pretty easy to train. My cavalier was fully house trained extremely fast, I can't remember exactly how long it took but it was faster than any of my other dogs. Cavaliers really are big dogs in a little package, they don't have the typical small dog attitude and are very intelligent, easy to train, loyal, and loving. The ultimate lap dog, but if you consider getting one it's important to realize they need a lot of attention. They love being with people more than anything, especially the males. And take your time to find a reputable breeder that health checks. I've also heard a lot about Japanese Chins being very clean dogs and catlike, so I imagine that they would be easy to house train. Hope this helps and please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.

12 Responses

1. allen Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

   One from a shelter
   petfinder.com
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2. nautre-addict Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   get a terrier that isn't too hyper.
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3. ?Pitbull lover?Prays for Seb Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

   Poodles are the smartest, I think they are the 2nd or 3rd smartest dog breed in the world.
   But if you know how to train them, any toy breed can be housebroken.
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4. Ishani Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

   Yorkies can be trainable if you train them well. Any dog is, you just have to be strict with it and not over-pamper it. Give it "pamper-time" to look forward to, when it will be fussed over if it behaves well and ignored if it doesn't. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Poodles/poodle-mixes are well-known for their intelligence, but generally a dog is a dog, and it's how you train it that matters.
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5. @r@g0n Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

   i agree wit the first answer
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6. Toy Fox Terrier Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm

   Small terriers are incredibly intelligent, but can be stubborn (some more than others). Dogs like Cavaliers don't seem to have as many problems as Yorkies or Toy Poodles, but it depends on a lot of factors

   In general, the reason why toy dogs are harder to potty train is because of lack of reinforcement. Its easy for a tiny dog to sneak behind a corner and go when you aren't looking. Most dogs can be housebroken with diligence on the owners part, though some breeds can be difficult.
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7. spicy_chiick Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

   Labradors are very well behaved and totally trainable, and so are Yorkshire terriers, Golden Retrievers,Papillons and beagles.
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8. Mackenzie C Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

   i would say maybe jack russel terrier,feist[hard to find],daschund.
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9. JenVT Says:
   May 12th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

   I don' t think there is such a thing as a terrier that's "not too hyper". lol! go to your local shelter and adopt a dog that's a little older. they will be easier to house train and you will know what size they will be when full grown. good luck!
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   SMT owner

10. jesska101amp Says:
    May 12th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    Poodles, are rated top as the smarted breed.
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11. sugarnspice781 Says:
    May 12th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    Hi…Well Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are pretty easy to train. My cavalier was fully house trained extremely fast, I can't remember exactly how long it took but it was faster than any of my other dogs. Cavaliers really are big dogs in a little package, they don't have the typical small dog attitude and are very intelligent, easy to train, loyal, and loving. The ultimate lap dog, but if you consider getting one it's important to realize they need a lot of attention. They love being with people more than anything, especially the males. And take your time to find a reputable breeder that health checks. I've also heard a lot about Japanese Chins being very clean dogs and catlike, so I imagine that they would be easy to house train. Hope this helps and please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.
    References :

12. ahhkeewaz Says:
    May 12th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    A Chihuahua. Don't buy a puppy from the pet shore.
    References :
    Pit Bull and Chihuahua owner.

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