The Ultimate Guide To Dog Training: 13 Expert Advice And Tips

Training your dog is easy. You just need to follow some simple steps and wait some time. A well-behaved dog is a happy dog, after all!

Key Takeaways
– Start with basic obedience training and gradually progress to more advanced skills.
– Use positive reinforcement training methods to encourage good behavior.
– Understand your dog’s unique temperament and tailor training methods accordingly.
– Consistency and patience are key to successful dog training.
– Be aware of common mistakes in dog training, such as using punishment or neglecting socialization.
– Consider hiring a professional dog trainer if you’re having difficulty with training a specific behavior.
– Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep your dog happy and healthy.
– Remember that training is an ongoing process and requires ongoing commitment from the dog owner.

#1 – Follow A Training Schedule

The first step to training your dog is establishing a routine. This will help you create a schedule for both you and your pet, which will make it easier for them to understand what’s expected of them.

Imagine that it’s early in the morning and you have an important meeting coming up. You are rushing around trying to get ready, but your dog just wants attention from you. 

This could lead him or her to start barking at all hours of the day, which will only make things more chaotic than they already are!

A training schedule will allow both yourself and your pet some time each day where they know what they need to do without feeling neglected or confused by sudden changes in environment or routine (such as going on vacation).

If you want to train your dog to become a watchdog, you need to start with the basics. Follow our comprehensive guide on watchdog training to understand the foundations of a well-trained guardian dog.

#2 – Be Consistent

Dog training is a lot like parenting. One of the most important lessons you can teach your puppy or dog is consistency. 

This means that you should set rules for behavior and stick to them, use the same commands for the same behavior and reward good behavior but don’t reward bad behavior.

For example, if you tell your dog not to jump on people, then when they do so anyway (as they inevitably will), don’t give them attention or even touch them until they’ve calmed down. 

When they calm down then give them some affectionate praise as a reward but make sure that this always follows jumping on people rather than jumping on people followed by getting attention from their owner. 

If there’s no consequence then there won’t be much motivation for change in your dog’s behavior!

#3 – Keep It Simple And Short

It’s best to keep training sessions short and sweet, especially in the beginning. You’ll find that your dog will be more attentive and focused during a 5-minute session than he or she would be if you tried to drag out a 30-minute lesson. 

If you use a clicker (which is basically an audible “good boy” signal), there’s no need for treats during this initial phase of training; just by marking the correct behavior with an authoritative click, your pup will get the message.

Once your pet gets comfortable with this one command, you can add another one or two into the mix but only after ensuring that he or she is still happy to work with you! It’s also important not to overload your pup: A simple session once or twice per day is plenty for most dogs.

Watchdog training requires an understanding of your dog’s unique temperament. Learn expert tips for successful watchdog training that will help you build trust and obedience with your furry protector.

#4 – Start With Praising Good Behavior

Whenever your dog does something good, whether it’s sitting on command or coming when called, praise them immediately. Say a simple “good boy” or “good girl” to your pet and give them a treat. This will help establish positive associations with the behavior you want to see repeated.

Praising your dog is also an excellent way of building confidence in his or her mind, which can help make training sessions much easier. Just remember that consistency and patience are key!

#5 – Train Him To Be Alone

Training your dog to be alone is essential, especially if you want to leave him alone for more than a few hours. 

It’s important to teach your dog that he can stay in one place and be comfortable while you’re away. This will help prevent separation anxiety when you go out of town or on vacation.

How do I train my dog?

There are several different methods that may work for training your dog:

Crate training – this method involves placing them in a crate and leaving them there until they calm down and relax. You can gradually increase the length of time spent in the crate each day until it becomes second nature. 

You should never use punishment or force when teaching your dog how to behave while left alone as this could lead to further problems later on down the line such as aggression issues or destruction of furniture and property around the house due to frustration over not being able to communicate what needs doing because no one understands him.

Room confinement – similar method but instead of using crates which most dogs don’t like anyway (some exceptions), we just keep our pet confined within a room without access outside whatsoever so that he cannot escape even if wanted.

Training through positive reinforcement – using rewards such as treats or praise whenever they do something right helps reinforce good behavior patterns which will continue over time into adulthood

Avoid the most common mistakes when training a watchdog by learning the dos and don’ts of dog training. Our guide explains everything you need to know to train a loyal and effective guardian dog.

#6 – Make Sure Your Dog Feels Safe In His Crate

• Make sure the crate is comfortable. The rule of thumb is to make sure that your dog can comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down in his crate. If it’s too large or small, he won’t feel safe in it.

• Make sure the crate is quiet and safe. The best way to ensure this is to keep it in a room with minimal distractions like other pets or children.

• Make sure your dog can see you while he’s spending time in his crate (and vice versa). This will help him feel more at ease if you need to leave him alone for longer periods of time during training sessions or overnight when he sleeps there full-time as an adult dog

#7 – Allow Your Dog To Choose The Crate Location

To ensure that your dog chooses the same location every time, you can allow him to choose the location. 

A safe and quiet place is best for this purpose. Make sure there are no distractions in the area such as other pets or children running around nearby.

A well-trained dog can be a valuable asset in keeping your home and family safe. Check out our guide on training your dog to protect your home and family to learn how to teach your dog the skills they need to deter intruders and keep your loved ones safe.

#8 – Teach Your Dog Come Command

Teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most important and effective commands you can teach your dog. You should use a phrase that’s short and easy to repeat, like “come here” or “here boy.”

You can use treats to get the dog’s attention and then call them when they are facing you. You can also use a leash as an attention getting tool, which will help you get their attention faster than just calling them by name alone. 

Whistles or voice commands work well too, but make sure that it’s not something they associate with feeding time otherwise they’ll run over at mealtime every time!

Tip	Description
Start Indoors	Begin training in a low-distraction environment, such as a quiet room in your house.
Use Positive Reinforcement	Reward successful recall with treats, praise, and affection to reinforce good behavior.
Practice Regularly	Consistent training is key, so aim for daily practice sessions until your dog responds reliably to the come command.
Increase Distractions Gradually	Once your dog has mastered the come command indoors, gradually increase distractions outdoors to build reliability.
Use Long Leashes	Long leashes, such as the Max and Neo Reflective Nylon Leash, can help prevent your dog from running away and keep them safe while practicing recall.

Note: Successful recall training requires patience and persistence. Be sure to remain positive and reward successes, and adjust your training method based on your pet’s needs and abilities.

#9 – Use A Leash For Training

When your dog is a puppy, or when you have an adult dog that is still learning, then a leash is a very useful tool. 

You can use it to control your dog and train them in many ways. For example, you can use the leash to get your dog to come when called as well as keep them from running away from you.

Leashes are also great for training dogs how to behave in public places like parks or on walks around town.

#10 – Say No Only When You Mean It

Say no only when you mean it.

If you say no and don’t mean it, your dog will learn to ignore your words.

If you say no but are not ready to follow through, your dog will begin to see training as a game.

If you say no but are not prepared to follow through with an action that communicates the message that what they did was wrong, their behavior will worsen rather than improve because they won’t understand why they’re being corrected or punished in any way

#11 – Train Your Dog Around Different People, Other Dogs And New Places

You want your dog to be comfortable around new people and other dogs, so you’re going to train them that way. To do this:

Introduce your dog to new people slowly by having them meet one person at a time, rather than several strangers all at once. 

If you need help finding someone who is willing to help with this process, try asking friends or family members for references they might know of someone who could be interested in helping out!

Teach your dog how track of his behavior around strangers by rewarding him when they are calm and giving him treats when they are excited. 

You can also use food rewards as a distraction tool if needed for example, if there is an interesting smell near where he has been barking loudly at another dog (and getting his attention off that smell). 

This will give the impression that barking isn’t worth the reward it provides now because something even better is waiting elsewhere!

Aggressive or fearful behavior towards other dogs can be a major challenge for dog owners. Our guide on training your dog to behave around other dogs provides practical tips and advice for teaching your dog to exhibit positive social behavior towards their furry peers.

#12 – Food, Treats And Toys Are Great Rewards For Training A Dog

When you train your dog, it is important to reward them when they do something right so they can understand what is expected of them. A reward can be anything that the dog enjoys such as food treats, toys or even just praise. 

It’s best to give the reward immediately after the right behavior has been performed by your pet so that they know exactly what they have done right and will continue with that behavior in future situations. 

Rewards are used to encourage good behavior from your pet and help them learn how to behave themselves appropriately in different scenarios

Reward	Brand	Description
Wet Food	Blue Buffalo	Premium wet dog food with high-quality protein and natural ingredients that dogs love.
Dry Food	Purina Pro Plan	Nutritious kibble with real meat and antioxidants to support healthy digestion and immune system.
Treats	Zuke’s Mini Naturals	Delicious, bite-size treats with no wheat, soy, or corn. Perfect for training or everyday snacking.
Chew Toys	Nylabone	Safe, durable chew toys that satisfy your dog’s natural urge to chew while promoting clean teeth and healthy gums.
Puzzle Toys	KONG	Interactive puzzle toys that challenge and reward your dog’s intelligence with treats hidden inside. Great for mental stimulation and training.

Note: Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new food or treats to your dog’s diet to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your pet’s health needs.

#13 – Be Patient, You Need Time To Train Your Dog Right!

Don’t be in a rush. This is the last and most important tip to remember when training your dog. Patience is a virtue, and you should always be patient with your pet. 

This will help you not become frustrated or discouraged at any point throughout the dog training process. 

If you have ever been impatient before, then it’s time for you to learn this valuable lesson: being patient is important!

Here are some tips on how to be more patient:

• Be kind to yourself
• Be kinder than usual
• Give yourself more time

Be Patient With Yourself And Your Dog. You Can Do It!

In order to train a dog effectively, you have to remain consistent. This means that if your goal is for Fido to “sit”, then he needs to understand that this command means exactly what you say it does for every single time he hears it. 

This means not going back on your word or saying something different later on in the day because you were angry at him for chewing on your shoes earlier in the week.

Don’t give up! You will most likely experience setbacks along the way while training your pup, but don’t worry it’ll get better once they’ve learned their right from wrong (and vice versa).

Tips	Description
Take Breaks	It’s important to take breaks during training sessions to avoid frustration and fatigue for both you and your dog.
Stay Positive	Encourage progress and ignore minor setbacks to build trust and motivation.
Use Treats	Rewarding good behavior with treats can help reinforce learning and improve motivation.
Track Progress	Keep a record of training progress to stay motivated and monitor your dog’s improvement over time.
Consider Professional Help	When training becomes overwhelming, consider seeking the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to train a dog, go out there and do it! We know that you can make your pup into the best dog ever. 

It’s never too late to start training, so we hope this guide has helped you think about how best to approach your dog’s training. 

If there are any tips or tricks that have worked for you in the past, we would love to hear them in the comments below.

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about dog training, check out these additional resources:

The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training: A comprehensive guide to training your dog, covering everything from basic obedience to advanced tricks and agility training.

Skills You Need – Dog Trainer Skills: An article on the key skills needed to become a successful dog trainer, including communication, patience, and problem-solving.

“Don’t Shoot the Dog!” by Karen Pryor: A highly recommended book on positive reinforcement training techniques for dogs and other animals.

FAQs

What are some common dog training techniques?

There are several common dog training techniques, including positive reinforcement, clicker training, and dominance-based training. It’s important to understand which techniques are most effective and safe for your pet before beginning any training program.

What is positive reinforcement training?

Positive reinforcement training is a technique that rewards desirable behavior with treats, praise, or other positive stimuli. This training method encourages dogs to repeat good behavior and can be very effective in improving obedience and reducing negative behaviors.

Can older dogs still be trained?

Yes, older dogs can still be trained, although it may take more time and patience than training a young puppy. It’s important to tailor training methods to the individual dog’s needs and abilities, and to remain consistent with training routines.

How can I prevent my dog from developing bad habits?

The best way to prevent bad habits in dogs is by providing consistent, positive reinforcement training from a young age. Avoid using physical punishment or negative reinforcement, and instead focus on rewarding good behavior and redirecting negative behavior towards a positive alternative.

Should I hire a professional dog trainer?

Hiring a professional dog trainer can be helpful, particularly if you’re struggling with a specific behavior problem or don’t have experience training dogs. However, it’s important to research potential trainers, ask for references, and ensure that they use safe, positive training methods that are appropriate for your pet’s needs.