Getting a dog is not just about providing food, water, and a bed. It just changes a dog owner’s life. He needs to do a lot of work, especially in the beginning when the baby dog arrives. This includes multiple pieces of training like crate training, obedience training, and potty training, etc.
A dog that is easier to potty train can really reduce the workload of the trainer. Because this training is the most annoying one. It really challenges the trainer’s patience.
Getting a dog who is on the list of easiest dogs to potty train, can be beneficial if you are not looking to put a lot of effort in potty training a puppy.
Are some dogs easier to potty train?
It is said that some dogs are easier to potty train as compared to other dogs. Some dogs are more obedient, intelligent and some dogs have very strong muscles that can hold the urine for longer. These factors make some dogs easy.
However, the trainer needs to follow the right method and take the training seriously otherwise a very easy dog can give a hard time because of being confused or anxious.
What makes a dog easier to potty train?
There are several factors that can make a dog easier to potty train.
- Large Size: Usually the dog of large size are easier because they have enough strong bladder muscles that they can hold the bladder for longer. They need fewer bathroom trips, thus requiring fewer efforts. The strong bladder also helps in the prevention of accidents which is then helpful in potty training.
- Intelligence: Some dogs are very intelligent by nature that they understand the process quickly and that is the very first step of a puppy’s potty training.
- Eagerness to please the owners: Some dog breeds are bred to take care of the owner and this is why these dogs are very obedient. They will follow the trainer’s commands easily.
- Gender: It is said that female dogs are easier to potty train as compared to male dogs. Maybe because female dogs mature earlier.
- Past habits: Puppies or dogs who are exposed to good potty habits are easier because they already know what they are expected to do. Dogs from puppy mills or stray dogs can give a hard time.
- Personal Traits: Besides everything else, every dog has his own personal traits. Some learn quickly and some take time. Every dog is different.
- Cleanliness: Some dog breeds naturally love to stay clean. These dogs will cooperate a lot during the process.
- Trainer’s method: No matter, what breed the dog is, if the trainer knows what he is doing and he knows his dog’s breed traits, potty training will be easier. Consistency, patience, and the right method are crucial.
Types of dogs who are easier to potty train?
- Large dogs: Usually large dogs are easier to potty train, mostly because of their strong muscles but it doesn’t mean that all large dogs are easy. Some are hard too while there are small dogs who are easy.
- Female dogs: Female dogs mature earlier than male dogs and they are said to be more obedient. So, there is no harm in believing that females are easier.
- Dogs who are raised by quality breeders: No matter if he is from a dog breed that is harder to potty train, a puppy raised by quality breeds will be easier because he is exposed to good potty habits from the beginning.
- Retrievers: Retrievers were primarily bred to retrieve birds. All retrievers are patient, highly trainable, strong, and obedient so they are easy to potty train. (ref)
Dogs That are easy to potty train:
Below is the list of dog breeds that are easy to potty train.
1- Easiest small dogs to potty train:
Large dogs are easy to potty train, it doesn’t mean that small dogs are always harder. Some small dogs are very intelligent and obedient that they do not give enough hard time.
- Papillon
- Maltese
- Cockapoo
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Shiba Inu
- Havanese
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Shih Tzu
- Bichon Frise
- Poodle
Find out the easiest small dogs to potty train here:
Learn more about small breed dogs’ potty training here.
2- Easiest medium dogs to potty train:
1- Porcelain:
Porcelains are medium-sized dogs that love to live with a human family. According to akc, these dogs are highly trainable.
Their obedience and intelligence are the cause that they are easily potty trained.
2- Norwegian Elkhound:
This dog breed is very affectionate with the owner and they can tolerate very cold weather. They are not highly trainable but because of their eagerness to please the owner, they respond really well if their primary caretaker is potty training them.
3- Australian shepherd:
Australian shepherds are herding dogs with a very good trainability level. They are medium-sized but their body is strong enough to hold the bladder for longer and this makes them very easy to potty train.
4- Border collie:
Border collies are medium, highly adaptable, and highly trainable dogs. They are quick learners and respond really well to positive reinforcement. Because of these reasons, borders are potty trained easily.
5- Brittany:
Brittany dogs are highly intelligent and trainable but they need routine. They are not very adaptable to changes in the environment.
With a regular schedule and persistence, Brittanys are housetrained easily.
6- Kai ken:
Typically kai kens are trainable dogs but they need a consistent routine. They are intelligent and obedient dogs which makes them easy to potty train.
7- Irish water spaniel:
These medium-sized dogs are highly affectionate with the family, highly trainable, and highly adaptable to new routines and environments.
They are not very good dogs so urine marking can be an issue but these dogs are easy when it comes to potty training.
3- Easiest large dogs to potty train:
1- Standard poodle:
Standard poodles are medium to large-sized dogs but look like large dogs. Housetraining these cuties can be really easy because of their high adaptability and trainability.
They are very loyal to their owners. This is why they try their best to please the owner by following the commands.
2- Rottweiler:
Rottweilers are large dogs. They look so aggressive because of their heavy and strong looks but actually, they are very affectionate with the family.
They are highly trainable and adaptable.
But for easy potty training, rottweiler needs a firm owner.
3- Boxers:
Boxers are medium to large-sized dogs who are typically clean (according to dogtime).
They are not usually very easy to train but when it comes to potty training, they will cooperate because they are from a dog breed who loves to live clean.
4- Huskies:
Huskies are medium to large-sized dogs but they are considered large because of their study looks.
Huskies are very common in America. They are stubborn and are not highly trainable but they are very affectionate.
With the use of the right method and positive reinforcement, huskies are easily potty trained.
5- Newfoundlands:
Newfoundlands are large and heavy-coated dogs. They can reach up to 150 pounds. Newfoundlands are very intelligent and adaptable.
They are a little strong-willed but when trained by the right person (to whom they shower their love), Newfoundlands becomes very easy to potty train.
6- Akita:
Akitas are clean dogs. They are large and strong. Because of their willingness to stay clean, Akitas are very easily housetrained.
7- Labrador retriever:
Labradors are moderately large-sized dogs and are very popular in America. Their popularity is due to their cuteness and high level of trainability. They have strong and sturdy muscles and they are highly intelligent and obedient dogs.
Labs do not give a hard time in potty training.
Read more: This is what you need to know about potty training a labrador puppy?
8- Alaskan malamutes:
This is a large dog breed. They are very intelligent and highly trainable dogs.
9- Golden retriever:
One of the most popular dog breed in America, golden retrievers are medium to large-sized smart and intelligent dogs. They are very well connected with the family and thus they are easily trainable.
10- Bernese mountain dogs:
Bernese mountain dogs are large, adaptable, trainable, and affectionate. Because of these qualities, they are one of the easiest dogs to potty train.
11- Doberman pinscher:
Dobermans are large dogs that can weigh up to 100 pounds. They are very loyal to the owner and are highly trainable. Potty training a Doberman pinscher should be very easy with the use of the right method.
12- German Shepherd:
German shepherds are medium-to-large-sized dogs and they are very popular pet dogs all around the world.
Being intelligent, obedient, and confident, this dog breed doesn’t give hard time while potty training.
13- Sheepdogs:
These large dogs are very loyal to the owner. They are very trainable and they respond very well to positive reinforcement.
Mistakes to avoid while potty training a dog who is easier to potty train:
Some dogs are easy but this doesn’t mean that they won’t require so much effort. You still need to follow the right method and be more consistent and patient.
- Taking it easy: After getting a dog that is easier to potty train, the trainer may start to take it easy which can really mess up with the training and an easy dog will give a hard time.
- Change of potty spot again and again: Some people keep changing the potty spot. From one corner of the lawn to another, from pee pads to outside and from outside to pee pads. This practice can confuse the dog and potty training will take longer.
- Not using the right tools: Using a properly sized crate, good enzyme cleaner and a suitable sized leash is crucial in potty training.
- Not learning before training: Dog is easy but you still need to learn. If the trainer won’t know what he is doing, how he will train the dog.
Read our full potty training guide here.
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How long does it take to potty train a puppy when he is from an “easier” breed:
The dog breed that is easier to potty train, will still take 4-12 weeks to be potty trained. Use of proper methods, tools, patience, persistence, and consistency are the things that are required to potty train a puppy in time.
Conclusion – easiest dogs to potty train:
Here is a quick list of the easiest dogs to potty train.
- Golden retriever
- Labrador retriever
- Bernese mountain dogs
- German shephard
- Sheepdogs
- Doberman pinscher
- Akita
- Newfoundlands
- Huskies
- Alaskan malamute
- Boxers
- Rottweiler
- Standard poodle
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Porcelain
- Australian shepherd
- Border collie
- Brittany
- Kai Ken
- Irish water spaniel
- Papillon
- Maltese
- Cockapoo
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Shiba Inu
- Havanese
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Shih Tzu
- Bichon Frise
- Poodles
No matter how easy a dog is, if the trainer won’t know what he is doing and when he will use wrong practices, potty training will be harder.
