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Are you planning to adopt a dog? Do you want your dog to behave more properly at home? Would you like to train your dog to follow your commands rather than constantly catering to their needs? Enrolling in a dog training class guided by an expert is the best way, though not everyone can attend. The following tips provide a great starting point for training your dog. There are various theories and approaches to dog training, so take time to research and select the method that suits both you and your pet the most.
Steps
Preparing for Dog Training
Choose a dog breed that fits your lifestyle. After centuries of selective breeding, dogs are now one of the most diverse animals in the world. There’s surely a dog for every lifestyle, but not all dogs will meet your specific needs. For instance, if you’re someone who enjoys relaxing, you might want to avoid the Jack Russell Terrier, known for its constant barking and high energy levels. Instead, a bulldog, which prefers lounging on the couch all day, could be a better fit. Research the personality and care requirements of different breeds. Ask dog owners about the temperament of their dogs.
- Since most dog breeds live for 10-15 years, adopting a dog is a long-term commitment. Make sure the breed’s temperament aligns with your lifestyle.
- If you're not yet married, consider whether you might have children in the future. Some dog breeds are not recommended for families with young children.
Don't adopt a dog just based on your wishful thinking. You must be honest with yourself about how well the breed you want matches your lifestyle. Don’t adopt an active dog simply because you want the motivation to live a healthier life. If you can't keep up with the physical needs of an energetic dog, both you and your pet will end up feeling exhausted.
- Note the needs and temperament of the breed, and how you plan to meet those needs.
- If adopting a breed requires significant changes to your lifestyle, consider choosing a different species.
Choose an easy-to-call name for your dog. Your dog needs to learn its name easily so you can keep them focused during training. Therefore, avoid choosing a name with more than two syllables. The name should also have a clear sound so the dog can easily recognize it. Names like “Buddy,” “Rover,” or “Bee Bee” have more distinct tones than normal speech that the dog hears.
- Frequently call your dog’s name when playing, petting, training, or trying to grab their attention.
- If your dog looks at you when you call their name, then they’ve learned it!
- Create positive associations with your dog’s name so they continue to focus on you when called. Praise them when they respond and reward them with treats.
Set up a training schedule. Dedicate about 15-20 minutes per training session, with several sessions throughout the day. Puppies often have short attention spans and get bored quickly, just like infants.
- However, you will continue training outside of these sessions. Training actually happens throughout the day as you interact with your pet. Your dog will learn from you after every interaction.
- Bad habits form when owners allow their dogs to engage in poor behavior outside of training hours. So, keep an eye on your dog even outside of sessions. If your dog remembers what they’ve learned during training, make sure they continue to retain it during other times.
Prepare your mindset for training sessions. When working with your dog, stay calm and neutral. Any anxiety or excitement from you will negatively impact the training results. Keep in mind that the goal of training is to reinforce good behavior and correct bad behavior. It may sound strict, but training a well-behaved dog requires strong determination and consistent discipline.
Select the right tools. A 180 cm long leash and a collar with a buckle or a two-strap collar are sufficient to get started, along with some treats for rewards. Consult expert advice on tools like muzzles, harnesses, metal training collars, or other equipment. Puppies or small dogs typically don’t require heavy tools. Large breeds may temporarily need special tools (such as a muzzle) to help focus them during training.
Applying the General Training Principle
Manage your expectations and mood. Not every training session will be perfect, but don't get discouraged or blame your dog. Adjust your behavior and attitude to foster your dog's learning ability and confidence. If you're calm, your dog is likely to be calm too.
- If your dog is intimidated by your bad mood, it won't learn anything new. It will only learn to be cautious and distrustful of you.
- Dog training classes and a skilled trainer will help improve your behavior and lead to success when training your dog.
Always consider your dog's temperament. Every dog has a different temperament. Like children, each breed learns at a different pace. Some dogs can be quite stubborn and challenge you with each exercise. Others might work hard to please you. You may need to adjust your training methods to suit your dog's temperament.
Reward your dog immediately. Dogs don't understand long-term cause and effect. They learn quickly, and you must praise and reward them within 2 seconds of them performing the desired behavior to reinforce that behavior. If you wait too long, your dog won't connect the reward with the action you asked them to perform.
- Moreover, make sure your praise is quick and accurate. If not, you might inadvertently reward an undesired behavior.
- Imagine you're teaching your dog the "sit" command. The dog sits for a moment, but when you praise them, they jump up. In this case, you're rewarding the standing action, not the sitting.
Consider training with a clicker. Clicker training is an immediate praise method using a clicker. You can click the clicker faster than you can give your dog food or pet them. This method helps reinforce good behaviors quickly and matches the pace at which your dog learns. The clicker works by associating the sound with a reward. Eventually, your dog will see the clicker sound as a reward in itself. You can use the clicker method for any command you teach your dog.
- Click the clicker and immediately reward your dog with food. This establishes a positive association with the clicker sound. Then, the sound "marks" the correct behavior so the dog knows they've done it right.
- Once your dog consistently performs the correct action, you can start associating the command with the behavior using the clicker.
- For example, before you teach your dog to "sit," click the clicker, reward, and praise when you see them sitting. Once your dog begins sitting for the reward, begin using the word "sit" to give the command, pairing it with the clicker sound as a reward. Eventually, your dog will learn that sitting in response to the "sit" command is how they get rewarded with the clicker sound.
Consistency is key. Your dog will struggle to understand what you want if their environment lacks consistency. Everyone who interacts with your dog should understand and follow the training goals you're setting. For example, if you're teaching your dog not to jump on people, make sure children in the household don't allow the dog to jump on them. Doing so will undo all of your training efforts.
- Ensure that everyone uses the exact commands your dog has learned. Dogs don't understand Vietnamese and can't differentiate between “sit” and “sit down.” Using different commands interchangeably will only confuse your dog.
- Since dogs can't make clear connections between commands and actions, their response could either be spot on or completely incorrect.
Always reward success or good behavior with praise and occasionally with food. A small treat can motivate your dog to train better. The treat should be small, tasty, and easy to chew. You don’t want the reward to interrupt the training session or make your dog too full too quickly.
- Consider the time it takes for your dog to chew a hard treat versus a softer one like “Bill Jack” or “Zuke’s Mini Naturals.” A reward the size of an eraser is enough to reinforce positive behavior, but don't let your dog take too long to finish it.
Use special treats when necessary. When training for difficult or important commands, use high-value treats to boost your dog’s motivation. Examples include dried liver, grilled chicken pieces, or a bit of leftover turkey.
- If your dog has mastered a command, reduce the high-value rewards and reserve them for when they're needed in training. But always remember to praise your dog.
Let your dog train on an empty stomach. Don’t feed your dog a few hours before training. The hungrier your dog is, the more they will work to earn a treat during training.
Always end training on a positive note. Even if the session didn’t go smoothly and your dog didn’t learn a new command, end with something that allows you to praise your dog. By wrapping up with a command your dog already understands, the last thing your dog will remember is your love and praise.
Limit barking. If your dog barks at you when you don't want them to, simply ignore them until they stop, and then praise them. Sometimes dogs bark to get your attention, and other times it's out of frustration.
- Don’t throw a ball or toy. This will only teach your dog that barking gets them what they want.
- Don’t shout at your dog to make them stop barking, as this will make them feel like they're getting attention and might make them bark more.
Teach the "Follow" command
Take your dog for regular walks on a leash. This is not only essential for training but also benefits your dog’s physical health and mental well-being. Depending on the breed, some dogs need plenty of exercise to stay happy and fit.
Avoid pulling the leash. Most dogs tend to pull on the leash during walks. When your dog starts pulling, stop immediately. Do not continue walking until your dog comes back to your side and focuses on you.
Change direction. An even more effective method is to turn and walk in the opposite direction, encouraging your dog to follow you. Once they catch up, praise and reward them.
Make walking with you enjoyable for your dog. Dogs’ natural instinct is to explore their surroundings. You need to make walking with you even more fun. Use an excited tone when changing direction, and praise your dog when they come to your side.
Associate behavior with verbal commands. Once your dog is comfortable walking by your side, you can assign a name to the behavior, such as “follow” or “let’s go.”
Teach the "Come Here" command
Understand the importance of the command. The “come here” command is used when you want your dog to approach you. This command can be a lifesaver as it can prevent your dog from running away if they’re ever let loose.
Prepare your dog for the “come here” command. Always begin training indoors (or in a fenced yard) with minimal distractions. Attach a 6-foot leash to your dog’s collar so you can keep them focused and prevent them from running off.
Capture your dog's attention. You want to call your dog over to you. You can call them with a high-pitched tone paired with a toy, a clap, or simply by opening your arms wide. Running a short distance away from your dog and suddenly stopping can also be effective, as dogs have an instinct to chase.
- Use praise and a “happy voice” to encourage your dog to come to you.
Give immediate praise. Click the clicker, praise your dog with a “happy voice,” and reward them when they come to you.
Associate behavior with commands. Once your dog realizes they will be rewarded for coming to you, start saying the “come here” command. When your dog responds to the command, reinforce it by praising with the word “good”: “good job coming here!”
Take your training to public spaces. Since the “come here” command can save your dog’s life, they need to learn to respond to it even when distracted. Move your training from your home to a backyard or a park, where there will be more sights, sounds, and smells to tempt your dog.
Increase the leash length. Start with a 6-foot leash, but now you’ll need to extend the distance further for your dog.
Tập huấn luyện cho chó không mang xích ở không gian có hàng rào. Điều này sẽ giúp chó chạy đến từ khoảng cách dài hơn.
- Nhờ ai đó giúp với bài tập không có xích. Bạn có thể chơi “bóng bàn” và thay phiên gọi chó đến bên từng người.
Thưởng thật nhiều. Vì mệnh lệnh này rất quan trọng, lời khen bạn trao đi cần phải thật hoành tráng. Tuân theo mệnh lệnh “đến đây” sẽ là giây phút tuyệt nhất trong ngày của chó.
Đừng gây ra bất kỳ tiêu cực nào với mệnh lệnh này. Bất kể bạn buồn bực bao nhiêu, không bao giờ được củng cố lệnh “đến đây” bằng cơn thịnh nộ. Dù bạn đang phát điên lên vì chó bị tuột dây xích và chạy rông suốt năm phút, bạn vẫn phải khen ngợi chó khi chó cuối cùng cũng đáp lại câu gọi “đến đây” của bạn. Hãy nhớ là bạn đang khen hành vi cuối cùng của chó, và hành vi cuối cùng đó chính là việc đến bên bạn.
- Đừng chỉnh lỗi, quát mắng, cằn nhằn hay bất kỳ hành động nào khiến chó nghĩ rằng tới bên bạn là hành động không tốt. Bạn có thể phá hỏng hàng năm trời huấn luyện chỉ bằng một trải nghiệm tồi.
- Không bao giờ làm điều mà chó không thích sau khi ra lệnh “đến đây.” Bạn có thể thử ra lệnh này khi bạn cần cho chó tắm, cắt móng chân, hay vệ sinh tai, tuy nhiên lệnh “đến đây” nên đem tới niềm vui.
- Nếu bạn buộc phải làm gì đó mà chó không thích, cứ tự đi và bắt chó lại thay vì ra câu lệnh. Khen chó trong suốt quá trình vì đã bình tĩnh và chấp nhận việc đó. Dĩ nhiên là bạn có thể dùng thức ăn nữa.
Trở lại với bước căn bản. Nếu bạn sợ những nơi chó có thể chạy lạc và phớt lờ lệnh “đến đây” của bạn, trở lại với bài tập cùng xích. Tiếp tục tập cùng xích cho đến khi bạn có thể tin chó sẽ đáp lại lệnh “đến đây”.
- Đừng hối thúc việc rèn luyện mệnh lệnh này. Nó rất quan trọng và không nên làm một cách nửa vời.
Củng cố bài tập suốt cuộc đời chó. Vì hành vi này rất quan trọng, bạn cần củng cố nó suốt đời. Nếu bạn leo núi cùng chó mà không có xích, hãy mang theo ít thức ăn trong túi để củng cố mệnh lệnh.
- Bạn cũng nên thêm một mệnh lệnh để chó biết không cần lúc nào chúng cũng phải ở bên bạn. Lệnh nào đó ví dụ như “nghỉ” là một cách, nhưng mục đích là để chó có thể làm điều chúng muốn và không buộc tuân theo lệnh cho tới khi bạn ra lệnh.
Giữ cho niềm vui lâu dài. Bạn không muốn khiến chó nghĩ rằng mỗi lần chúng đến bên bạn, chúng không còn được chơi nữa, có người gắn xích vào rồi, và chúng phải về nhà. Nếu không, bạn sẽ bắt đầu nhận được những lần "đến" ngày càng thiếu chắc chắn và không còn vui vẻ như trước. Vậy nên, hãy gọi chó lại, khen ngợi khi chúng đến và cho chúng “nghỉ” để chơi tiếp.
Cho chó làm quen với vòng cổ. Việc này không cần kèm theo câu lệnh nào cả. Khi chó đến bên bạn, hãy nắm vòng cổ để chó không bị nhát mỗi khi có người đụng vào.
- Khi bạn cúi xuống để thưởng cho vì đã “đến,” hãy kèm theo hành động nắm vòng cổ lúc nựng cổ chó để cho ăn.
- Thỉnh thoảng, nhưng đừng làm thường xuyên, gắn thêm dây xích vào khi bạn kéo vòng cổ.
- Đồng thời, bạn cũng có thể nối một dây xích ngắn và cho chó “nghỉ” trở lại. Dây xích nên là dâu hiệu cho biết chó sắp được chơi vui và chúng ta sẽ được đi dạo. Không có chỗ cho việc chỉnh đốn khắt khe đâu.
Dạy lệnh "Nghe"
Hiểu mục đích của lệnh “nghe.” Đôi khi còn được gọi là lệnh “chú ý,” lệnh “nghe” là một trong những lệnh đầu tiên mà bạn nên dạy chó. Bạn sẽ dùng nó để thu hút sự chú ý của chó rồi đưa ra lệnh mới hoặc chỉ dẫn khác. Một số người chỉ dùng tên chó thay vì lệnh "nghe." Cách này đặc biệt hữu dụng nếu bạn nuôi nhiều chó. Như vậy, từng chú chó sẽ biết khi nào bạn muốn chúng tập trung vào bạn.
Chuẩn bị nhiều món thưởng. Chúng có thể là thức ăn bạn mua ở cửa hàng, hay những chiếc xúc xích cắt nhỏ. Chọn món mà bạn biết chó thích ăn và sẽ thực hiện hành động để được ăn.
Stand near the dog. But don’t try to grab the dog’s attention. If the dog reacts to your presence, remain still and look away until the dog loses interest.
Give the command “Listen” in a soft but firm voice. If you prefer to use your dog's name instead of saying “listen” or “pay attention,” feel free to call their name as a substitute. The tone and volume should be similar to when you call someone's name to get their attention.
Don’t raise your voice just to get the dog’s attention. Save loud tones for “emergency” situations, such as when the dog jumps over a fence or breaks free from the leash. If you rarely raise your voice, your dog will definitely pay attention when you need to yell. But if you constantly shout, your dog will start ignoring it. Yelling won’t have the same impact anymore.
- Dogs have extraordinary hearing — much better than humans. An interesting aspect of training this command is to see how well your dog can respond to even a soft whisper. People will refer to you as the “dog whisperer” once you can issue commands with just a quiet murmur.
Reward the dog immediately when it responds as desired. When the dog stops what it’s doing and looks at you, praise and reward it right away. If you’re using a clicker, click before praising or rewarding.
- Remember, you need to react immediately. The quicker the reward, the faster your dog will understand the connection between the command, the behavior, and the reward.
Gradually phase out rewards. Once your dog masters the command, stop rewarding with food. However, you should still use the clicker or offer verbal praise.
- Phasing out treats is important because dogs may begin expecting rewards all the time. Eventually, you’ll end up with a dog that only listens when there’s food involved.
- Continue to praise your dog regularly after it has mastered the command, but only reward occasionally. This is how you help your dog solidify the lesson in its memory.
- Once your dog is proficient with the commands, you can use treats to speed up the response time or fine-tune the accuracy of the behavior. The dog will quickly associate the treat with the “listen” command and the desired behavior that follows.
Dạy lệnh "Ngồi"
Cho chó đứng. Mục đích của lệnh “ngồi” là cho chó chuyển từ thế đứng thành ngồi, chứ không phải là tiếp tục ngồi. Đi bộ về chỗ chó hay bước xa ra để chó đứng dậy.
Đứng ở trong tầm nhìn của chó. Đứng ngay trước mặt chó sao cho chó tập trung nhìn bạn. Để chó thấy bạn có thức ăn ở trong bàn tay thuận.
Để chó tập trung vào quà thưởng. Bắt đầu bằng cách để thõng tay cầm quà thưởng bên hông. Nâng bàn tay đó lên trước mũi chó để chó ngửi được mùi, rồi nâng cao quá đầu chó.
- Khi bạn nâng thức ăn trên đầu chó, phần lớn chó sẽ tự động ngồi xuống để nhìn được tốt hơn.
Ngay lập tức thưởng đồ ăn cho chó và khen chúng. Làm theo chu trình clicker-thưởng/khen hoặc chỉ thưởng và khen. Nói “ngồi ngoan” khi chó đã làm theo ý bạn muốn. Có lẽ ban đầu chó sẽ hơi chậm, nhưng chỉ cần thêm phần thưởng và lời khen là chó sẽ tăng tốc lên thôi.
- Chắc chắn rằng bạn không khen gì cả cho đến khi chó thật sự đang ngồi. Nếu bạn khen khi chó chưa kịp ngồi, chó sẽ nghĩ đó mới là điều bạn muốn.
- Ngoài ra, chắc chắn rằng bạn không khen chó vì đã đứng dậy, nếu vậy bạn sẽ chỉ nhận được hành vi đó thay vì hành động ngồi.
If your dog won’t sit with the reward method, you can use a leash and collar. Stand next to your dog, facing the same direction as them. Gently pull the collar back to encourage the dog to sit.
- You may need to lightly prompt the dog by gently pressing on their back legs. Pull the dog back with the collar as you do this.
- As soon as the dog sits, immediately praise and reward them.
Don’t repeat the command. You want your dog to respond the first time, not the second, third, or fourth. If your dog hasn’t followed the command within 2 seconds, reinforce it using the leash.
- When you begin training, never give a command you can’t reinforce. Otherwise, you risk teaching your dog to ignore you because you didn’t follow through, and your commands will lose their meaning.
- Create a positive atmosphere for your dog with praise and persistence.
Reward natural sitting behavior. Pay attention to when your dog sits on their own during the day. Praise the behavior, and soon your dog will sit on their own to get attention instead of jumping or barking at you.
Teach Your Dog to Lie Down
Grab your dog’s attention. Take some food or a toy and find your dog. Hold the toy or food in front of their nose to get their focus on you.
Use food or a toy to encourage your dog to lie down. To do this, wave the toy or food on the floor in front and between the dog’s legs. The dog’s head will follow the item, and the rest of their body will follow suit.
Give immediate praise. Once the dog’s belly touches the ground, praise them and offer a treat or toy. Make sure you praise at the right moment. If you praise while the dog is preparing to lie down or getting up, that’s the behavior you’ll reinforce.
Increase the distance. Once the dog has learned the behavior along with the reward, take a small step back. The hand signal for 'lie down' is an outstretched hand—palm down—moving from in front of your waist to the side of your hip.
- Once your dog becomes comfortable with 'lying down,' add a verbal cue like 'down' or 'lie down.'
- Praise immediately when the dog’s belly touches the floor.
- Dogs understand body language well and learn hand signals quickly.
Extend the duration of the 'down' command. When your dog is familiar with 'lying down,' wait a few seconds before praising and rewarding to encourage them to stay in the position longer.
- If the dog tries to rise to get the treat, don’t reward them, or you’ll reinforce the behavior just before they were rewarded.
- Start over, and the dog will understand you want them to stay lying down as long as you remain consistent.
Don’t lean over your dog. Once your dog understands the command, stand upright when giving the cue. If you lean over, the dog will only lie down when you’re in that position. Train until you can give the 'lie down' command from a distance.
Tập cho Chó "Chờ" tại Cửa
Bắt đầu tập cho chó “chờ” sớm. Dạy chó biết tôn trọng ngưỡng cửa là rất quan trọng. Bạn không muốn chó của mình cứ lao ra ngoài mỗi khi cửa mở — điều đó có thể rất nguy hiểm cho chó. Bạn không cần phải luyện bài tập tại cửa mỗi lần ra vào. Tuy nhiên, bạn nên tận dụng tối đa cơ hội tập luyện cho chó con từ sớm.
Đeo xích cho chó. Bạn nên cho chó đeo xích ngắn để có thể điều chỉnh hướng đi của chó từ khoảng cách gần.
Đi đến trước cửa. Dắt chó theo bằng dây xích.
Ra lệnh “chờ” trước khi bước qua cửa. Nếu chó bước theo khi bạn đang băng qua, dùng dây xích để cản chó đi tiếp. Thử lại.
Praise when your dog waits. Once your dog understands that you want them to stay inside the door rather than step out with you, praise them and reward them for waiting patiently.
Teach your dog to sit at the doorway. If the door is closed, you can teach your dog to sit as soon as you place your hand on the door handle. The dog will wait while the door opens and will not step through until you give the command. It’s best to start this exercise with a leash for the dog’s safety.
Give a new command to allow the dog to step through. You can use “come here” or “release.” Regardless of which command you choose, it must be the only one that allows your dog to exit the house.
Increase the distance. Practice having your dog stay at the door while you do something outside. You can go get the mail or take out the trash before returning and rewarding your dog. The goal is to avoid having to call your dog to step through the door just to see you. You could also go to the dog instead.
Teach Your Dog Positive Eating Habits
Encourage your dog to wait while you prepare their meal. There’s nothing more frustrating than a dog jumping and barking while you’re getting their food. Instead, use the “wait” command that your dog learned during door exercises, so they’ll wait at the threshold of the dining room.
- When you’re ready, call the dog to you and command them to “sit” and “wait” while you place the food on the floor.
- Stand and wait a few seconds before giving the release word. You can say “release” or create a new command for mealtime like “time to eat” or “let's go.” Make sure to choose a phrase that won’t confuse your dog, for example, “dinnertime” or “let's eat” could cause them to think it's their eating time.
- Eventually, your dog will naturally wait when they see their food bowl.
Feed your dog by hand. When mealtime arrives, hand-feed your dog. Then, use your hand to scoop the remaining food into their bowl. This will help your dog associate the food bowl with your scent, preventing or removing any hesitation or guarded behavior when eating.
Teach the “leave it” command. Teaching your dog to obey the “leave it” command is essential in situations like when food accidentally drops to the floor or when your dog attempts to pick up something dirty during a walk. Here’s how to train this command:
- Step one: Hold your dog’s favorite treat in your hand. Your dog will lick, sniff, and paw at the treat. Once they back off, praise them and reward them with the treat from your hand.
- Step two: Say “leave it.” Say this command when your dog chooses to move away from the treat.
- Step three: Hold a treat in your palm in front of the dog and hide another treat behind your back. Guide your dog to “leave it.” If they move too close to the treat, close your hand to hide it and say “no” to indicate they won’t be rewarded. When your dog follows the “leave it” command, reward them with the treat from behind your back.
- Step four: Place the treat on the floor. Put the treat on the floor and continue rewarding your dog with the treat you hid behind your back.
- Step five: Leash your dog and guide them past the treat on the floor. Command them to “leave it” without jerking the leash. If they eat the treat, go back to the previous step.
- Step six: Start using the “leave it” command when taking your dog outside.
Teach the “Take” and “Give” Commands
Understand the command. The “take” command is used when you want your dog to grab an item you’re offering them.
Give your dog a toy. Command “fetch” when doing so. When your dog grabs the toy with their mouth, immediately praise them. (Also, your dog gets to keep the toy as a reward!)
Gradually switch to less valuable items. Dogs easily learn the “fetch” command with exciting toys! Once your dog understands the link between the command and the behavior, start using less interesting objects. For example, you can use newspapers, a lightweight bag, or anything else you’d like your dog to carry.
Simultaneously train “fetch” with “give.” Once your dog fetches the toy, command “give” so they return the item to you. Reward them with food and praise when they return the toy, then start again with the “fetch” command. You don’t want your dog to think that once they drop the item, the play session is over.
- Don’t turn the exercise into a tug-of-war with your dog. If you pull, your dog will pull back even harder.
Teach the “Stand” command
Understand the value of the “stand” command. The value of the “sit” and “wait” commands is clear, but you may not immediately understand why “stand” is such an important skill for your dog to learn. You might not use the “stand” command every day, but it will be necessary throughout your dog’s life. For example, a dog that knows how to stand calmly will be an ideal patient at the veterinary clinic or a great customer at the grooming salon.
Prepare the exercise. Grab a toy that your dog loves or a handful of treats to capture your dog’s attention and reward them for following your commands. Instruct your dog to “down” or “lie down” when practicing the “stand” command. Your dog should transition from lying down to standing in order to retrieve the toy or treats.
Attract your dog's focus. You’ll need to coax your dog to stand by offering the toy or treats. Hold the item in front of your dog, at nose level.
- If your dog sits, thinking that’s enough to earn a reward, try again but position the toy or treats a little lower.
Encourage your dog to follow your hand. Open your palm and point it downward. If you're using food, keep it in your palm using your thumb. Begin by holding your hand in front of your dog’s nose and move it away a few inches. The idea is to get your dog to stand and reach toward your hand.
- You may need to use your other hand to gently guide your dog’s hips to help them understand.
Praise your dog immediately. As soon as your dog stands up, praise them and reward them. Even if you haven’t yet used the “stand” command, you can still reinforce their behavior with words like, “Great standing!”
Introduce the verbal “stand” command. At first, you’ll only guide your dog to stand by using the hand with the treat or toy. Once your dog understands what’s expected, begin incorporating the “stand” command into the training.
Combine the “stand” command with other commands. There are many ways to combine commands. After teaching your dog to “stand,” you can add commands like “stay” or “hold still” if you want them to remain standing longer. You could also introduce “sit” or “lie down” to help your dog practice, and gradually increase the distance between you and your dog. Eventually, you will be able to give the command at a distance.
Teach the “Speak” command
Understand the command. The “speak” command teaches your dog to bark in response to your request. On its own, this command might seem odd. However, when paired with the “quiet” command, it can help manage excessive barking in dogs who bark a lot.
- Be cautious when teaching this command. Inexperienced trainers often find that the “speak” command can get out of control, eventually leading to a dog that barks constantly.
Teach your dog with a clicker. The “speak” command requires immediate praise, even more so than other commands. Teaching your dog to associate the clicker sound with a reward involves repeatedly clicking and rewarding right after your dog barks.
- Continue using the clicker until your dog understands that the click itself is a reward. The real treat will come after that.
Observe when your dog barks the most. This behavior varies between dogs, so it’s important to closely observe your dog’s habits. Some dogs bark when they’re hungry, when someone knocks at the door, when the doorbell rings, or when they hear a whistle.
Simulate the action that triggers barking. Once you've figured out what causes your dog to bark, repeat the action. The goal is to encourage your dog to bark on its own, and then reward it.
- This exercise can be risky for those with little experience in dog training.
- This is why the “speak” command differs from other commands. You need to start using the verbal command right away, so the dog doesn't think you are rewarding it simply for barking instinctively.
Give the “speak” command verbally right from the start. As soon as your dog barks for the first time, say the command “speak,” click the clicker, and reward it with food.
- So far, all the commands have taught the dog a behavior first, followed by the verbal command. However, the “speak” exercise can quickly spiral out of control if done this way. The dog is rewarded for barking first.
- It's better to continuously link the command to the behavior throughout the process. Never reward barking without the verbal command.
Combine the “speak” and “quiet” commands. If you have a dog that barks excessively, you might find it hard to believe that the “speak” command could help you manage the situation. However, once you teach your dog to “speak,” you can also teach it to “quiet.” You might not need your dog to bark on command, but you will certainly need the “quiet” command.
- Once your dog understands “speak,” gradually integrate the “quiet” command into the training.
- Give the “speak” command.
- However, instead of rewarding the barking, wait until your dog stops barking.
- Then give the “quiet” command.
- If your dog stays silent, reward the “quiet” behavior (not barking) with a click and food.
Teach Your Dog to Go to Its Kennel
Understand the value of crate training. You might think it's cruel to lock your dog in a crate for hours, but dogs are natural den animals, and they don’t feel confined in small spaces the way humans do. In fact, dogs that are taught to stay in their crate often treat it as a safe haven.
- Crate training is incredibly useful when you need to manage your dog’s behavior during long periods when you're not around to supervise.
- For example, many dog owners crate their pets when they go to bed or leave the house.
Teach your dog to go to its crate from a young age. While adult dogs can still be trained to use a crate, it is much easier to teach puppies from the start.
- However, if you have a large breed dog, avoid using a crate that is too small for them to sleep in.
- Dogs won’t “go” where they sleep or relax, so it's important to choose a crate that is the right size.
- If the crate is too large, your dog might urinate in one corner thinking it has plenty of space.
Turn the crate into an inviting space. Don't isolate your dog in the crate by immediately locking the door the first time your dog enters. You want your dog to associate the crate with positive feelings so it can relax there comfortably.
- When starting crate training, place the crate in a central area where the family gathers. The goal is to make the crate part of everyday activity, not a place of isolation.
- Place a soft blanket and some favorite toys inside the crate.
Encourage your dog to enter the crate. Once you've made the crate inviting, use food to lure your dog inside. Start by placing a little food outside the crate so the dog can explore the space. Then, move the food just inside the door, so the dog will stick its head inside to eat. Gradually place the food deeper inside the crate as your dog becomes more comfortable.
- Repeat this process until your dog confidently enters the crate without hesitation.
- Always use a “happy voice” when helping your dog get used to the crate.
Feed your dog inside the crate. Once your dog is comfortable entering the crate to get food, reinforce the positive association between the crate and meal times.
- Place the food bowl in a location where your dog can comfortably eat. If the dog is still a little hesitant, you may want to place the bowl right near the door.
- As your dog becomes more accustomed, gradually move the food bowl further into the crate.
Start closing the crate door behind your dog. With treats and meals, you will see your dog begin to adapt to being inside the crate. However, your dog still needs to get used to the door being closed.
- Begin closing the door during meal times, when your dog is distracted by food and isn’t paying attention to its surroundings.
- Start by closing the door for short periods and gradually increase the time as your dog becomes more comfortable.
Don't reward your dog for whining. While puppy whining may seem cute, when an adult dog does it, it can drive you crazy. If your puppy keeps whining, it might be because it's been in the crate for too long. However, never release your puppy before it stops whining. Remember — every reward you give reinforces the dog’s behavior, in this case, whining.
- Instead, release the dog only once it stops whining.
- The next time you close the crate door, keep them in there for a shorter time.
Comfort your dog when crated for long periods. If your dog whines when left alone in the crate, consider moving the crate to your bedroom at night. Use a ticking clock or a metronome to help soothe your puppy to sleep. Make sure your puppy has already relieved itself outside and doesn’t need to “go” again.
- It’s best to place the crate in your bedroom so you can hear if your puppy needs to go out in the middle of the night. If not, they might relieve themselves inside the crate.
Advice
- When giving a verbal command, speak decisively. If you want your dog to sit, give a firm command. Avoid repeating commands in the hope that your dog will eventually comply. Emphasize the command within 2-3 seconds if your dog doesn’t obey, and then praise them. You don’t want to be like those people who repeat the word 'sit' 20 times or more before the dog finally listens. You need your dog to obey the first time, not the twentieth.
- Never allow your dog to bite you, even in play. This will set a bad precedent and make it difficult to stop this behavior later. Aggressive breeds will require specialized training from experienced professionals. In some cases, you might need to consult an animal behaviorist. Never raise a dangerous dog without proper training — it’s too risky.
- Remember, every dog is different. One might learn more slowly than the other, and that’s perfectly fine. No dog is untrainable!
- If using hand signals, make sure each one is distinct and clear so your dog can easily recognize and differentiate them. There are standard hand signals for basic commands like “sit,” “lie down,” etc. If unsure, ask a dog trainer or search online or in books for images showing the proper body language.
- Be consistent. Ensure that the command and hand gesture you use are always the same. Just 10-15 minutes each day is enough.
- If your dog loses control, one way to regain discipline is to separate them from the “pack.” Put them in a crate or kennel and ignore them. In dog language, being separated from the pack means 'your behavior is unacceptable, and we don’t like it.' Your dog will quickly get the message. They may whine and howl, but you must ignore them. Think of it as your dog’s 'time-out.' Once they’re quiet and calm, let them out. Don’t forget to exercise your dog to regulate their energy. Playing fetch is a great way to tire them out.
- Training a dog requires immense patience. You might feel frustrated if you’ve chosen a breed that doesn’t match your abilities or lifestyle. If you think you made the wrong choice, seek advice from a professional. You may need to find a new home for the dog. Contact a rescue organization or veterinarian. Don’t wait until both you and the dog are suffering. If you lack patience, consider one-on-one training with a well-regarded dog trainer. No one is born a dog trainer without training themselves.
- Never treat your dog cruelly or physically punish them. If you hit a dog in anger, all it will learn is fear of you.
- Clean up after your dog if it makes a mess in someone else's yard or in a public place. This will help others appreciate your dog as much as you do.
- If your dog takes something that’s not theirs, say “drop it.”
- When teaching your dog to speak, you might try mimicking a howl or bark to prompt them to bark in return.
- Reward your dog with treats or praise when they obey! Remember, your dog will grow more attached to you if they know you love them.
Warning
- Use a collar and leash that are appropriately sized for your dog. A collar that’s too tight or too loose can cause injury.
- Regularly take your dog for veterinary check-ups and ensure they’re vaccinated on time. Be sure to also stay updated on licensing requirements and have your dog spayed or neutered once they’re of the appropriate age.
- Owning a dog comes with responsibilities almost on par with raising a child. If you’re not ready, don’t adopt a dog until you’ve done your research and made the necessary preparations to welcome one into your home.
REFERENCE DOG TRAINING BOOKS
- Regular exercise helps reduce your dog’s mischief at home. Dogs get bored easily. When they’re bored, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves—perhaps by chewing your favorite shoes, destroying furniture, or barking incessantly. Prevent this by taking them for walks regularly (ideally twice a day). Plus, it’s great for you too! 'A tired dog is a happy dog.' The amount of exercise needed to tire a dog out can vary by breed.
- Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
- Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs by Karen Pryor
- The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
- 25 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make by Janine Adams
- The Art of Raising a Puppy by Monks of New Skete
- How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend by Monks of New Skete
- The Good Dog: How to Train, Teach, and Transform Your Dog’s Behavior by Gail I. Clark
