Every dog ​​has the instinct to learn various skills, but the degree of skill mastery often varies from dog to dog, which is related to the dog's breed, personality, age, neurological type, etc. Therefore, dogs for training should be strictly selected. Of course, due to different purposes, the conditions for selection are also different. Generally speaking, the body shape requires well-proportioned development of all parts of the appearance, well-developed muscles, strong and strong, correct posture, and alert and flexible movements. The appropriate age range is generally from 3 months to 1 year old (basic training begins at 3 months old, and special training is available at 7 to 12 months old). In terms of neurological type, active and excitable dogs are best, but quiet dogs will work too. A dog's neurological type can be simply determined by observing and studying the dog's reactions to different stimuli under natural conditions and during training. The method of determining the canine nerve type can be found in the personality check items in the special check of the dog's personality. It also requires good hearing and vision, a sensitive sense of smell, and a good way of smell recognition.

Dogs with dominant hunting responses, active defense responses and food responses should be selected. Dogs that are slow to react, or that are predominant in search reactions or passive defense reactions, or dogs that have degraded hunting reflexes (not excited to pick up), cannot be trained dogs.