Training is one of the most important ways to keep companion animals safe. When prospective pet owners begin looking for a new dog, one of the first thoughts that may come to mind is trainability and whether certain breeds are more easy to train than others.

The pet food manufacturers at Honest Kitchen indicated that breed is just one of many factors that can make a difference in how easily a dog will be trained. For example, dogs that are food-motivated and enjoy being around people may be more easily trained than those without such traits. How the animal was bred, raised and socialized can also play a part. The American Kennel Club reported that certain dogs are more willing to comply with owner requests, while others are bred to work independently and may be less likely to immediately respond to commands from their owners.

Though there is no guarantee any dog will take to training, the following are some breeds that are generally considered training-friendly.

- Border collies: Collies are bright and energetic dogs that like to herd with their agility and intelligence.

- Australian shepherd: Another herding dog, Aussies have a natural focus on their owners and are bred to work with those owners in challenging environments.

- Doberman pinschers: Dobermans are smart and attentive to their owners. They have traditionally been employed as guard dogs and require careful training and socialization to be tolerant of strangers.

- German shepherds: These workhorses serve many different roles because of their affinity for learning tasks. As with Dobermans, look for a well-socialized German shepherd to avoid anxiety and wariness of people.

- Poodles: Poodles are popular because they do not shed much, but also because they are intelligent, obedient and versatile.

- Golden retrievers: Golden retrievers are not known as a family dog for nothing. Goldens are very intelligent and amiable, and they often will go to great lengths to please their owners. Labrador retrievers also take to training well and are very affectionate.

- Papillon: Smaller dogs are often viewed as stubborn or independent. However, papillons are incredibly smart and trainable and are naturally focused.

The pet advisement site K9 of Mine warned that some of the smartest, most trainable dogs may not necessarily be the easiest to live with. They can get bored easily and destroy things around the house if they cannot keep their minds occupied. This is a factor to consider when selecting a breed as well.