OK, so you are now a proud dog owner! Whether you’ve just adopted a puppy or an older dog, congratulations! But now the real work begins. Training your new furry friend can be daunting, but don’t worry- we’re here to help. Below are 30 free basic dog training tips to get you started on the right paw.
Basic Dog Training Tip #1- Be Consistent
One of the most important things in training your dog is to be consistent. Dogs are creatures of habit and thrive on routine. If you are constantly changing up the rules, your dog will get confused and frustrated, which will make training that much harder. So when you start training, decide on what rules you want your dog to follow and stick with them.
Basic Dog Training Tip #2 – Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs are highly motivated by food, so using treats as a form of positive reinforcement is a great way to get them to comply with your commands. However, don’t overdo it or your dog will start to expect a treat every time he does something you ask. Instead, use treats sporadically and only for good behavior that you want to encourage.
basic dog training tip #3 – Be patient
Training a dog takes time and patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a well-trained pup. Be prepared to spend several weeks (or even months) working with your dog on basic commands.
And don’t get frustrated if he doesn’t seem to be getting it right away- just keep at it and eventually he’ll catch on.
Basic Dog Training Tips #4 – Be Firm
While it’s important to be patient when training your dog, you also need to be firm. Dogs can sense when you’re being wishy-washy and they will take advantage of it. If you give a command and your dog doesn’t obey, make sure you follow through with some form of discipline so he knows that you mean business.
basic dog training tips #5 – use short & simple commands
When giving commands to your dog, keep them short and sweet. Dogs have short attention spans and using long, complicated commands will only confuse them. Stick to one or two-word commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come” and use them consistently.
basic dog training tips #6 – Don’t repeat yourself
Much like with small children, repeating yourself over and over to your dog will only teach him that he/she doesn’t have to listen the first time you say something. So if you give a command and your dog doesn’t obey, don’t keep repeating it. Instead, take some form of action so he/she knows that you mean what you say.
Basic dog training tips #7 – practice in different settings
Don’t just train your dog in your living room or backyard- take him out into the world and practice in different settings. This will help him learn to obey your commands even when there are distractions around. Plus, it’s just good socialization for your pup!
basic dog training tips #8 – be consistent with your commands
When you’re training your dog, it’s important to be consistent with the commands you use. That means using the same word for the same behavior every single time. For example, if you want your dog to sit, always say “sit” when you want him to perform that behavior. Don’t mix things up by sometimes saying “sit” and other times saying “down.”
basic dog training tips #9 – put it in writing
If you’re having trouble getting your dog to obey your commands, try putting them in writing. Dogs are visual creatures and seeing the command in writing may help him understand what you’re asking of him.
Simply write out the commands you want your dog to learn on some index cards and keep them with you when you’re training.
This one was a joke to see if you are paying attention – Dogs Cant Read LOL!
Read on for more real tips!
basic dog training tips #10 – get some training help
If you’re really struggling to train your dog on your own, don’t be afraid to seek out some professional help. There are plenty of dog trainers out there who would be more than happy to assist you in teaching your furry friend the ropes.
basic dog training tips #11 – use hand signals
In addition to using verbal commands, you can also use hand signals when training your dog.
This can be especially helpful if your dog is deaf or hard of hearing.
To use hand signals, simply make the sign for the desired behavior ( such as a fist for sit or an open palm for stay) and then give the verbal command as well.
basic dog training tips #12 – be prepared for setbacks
Even if you’re following all of the above tips, there will still be times when your dog doesn’t seem to be progressing as quickly as you’d like. When this happens, it’s important to not get discouraged. Just take a step back and reevaluate your training methods. You may need to adjust your approach or try something new entirely.
Basic dog training tips #13 – get the whole family involved
If you want your dog to be well-behaved, it’s important to get the entire family involved in his training. That means everyone should be using the same commands and reinforcing the same behaviors. Otherwise, your dog is just going to get confused and he won’t know what’s expected of him.
basic dog training tips #14 – be consistent with your rewards
When you’re training your dog, it’s important to be consistent with the rewards you use. If you only give treats sometimes, your dog won’t know that he’s being rewarded for good behavior.
Instead, he’ll just think he’s getting a treat randomly and he won’t understand what he did to earn it. So make sure you’re giving treats (or whatever other form of reward you’re using) every single time your dog does something you’ve asked of him.
basic dog training tips #15 – Don’t forget the praise
In addition to using treats, it’s also important to praise your dog when he does something right.
This will let him know that he’s on the right track and that he’s doing what you want him to do.
A simple “good boy!” or “good girl!” will do the trick.
basic dog training tips #16 – be patient
Learning new things takes time, so it’s important to be patient when you’re training your dog. Just because he doesn’t get it the first time (or even the tenth time) doesn’t mean he never will. So long as you’re consistent with your commands and rewards, he’ll eventually catch on.
basic dog training tips #17 – take it slow
When you first start training your dog, it’s important to take things slow. Don’t try to teach him too many things at once or he’ll just get overwhelmed and confused. Instead, focus on one behavior at a time and master that before moving on to something else.
basic dog training tips #18 – keep it up
Once you’ve taught your dog the basics, it’s important to keep up with his training. That means practicing regularly and reinforcing the behaviors you want him to display. If you let his training lapse, he’s likely to forget what he’s learned and go back to his old ways.
basic dog training tips #19 – make it fun
Training sessions don’t have to be all work and no play.
In fact, they should be enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Otherwise, he’s not going to want to participate and he won’t learn anything.
So make sure you’re mixing in some fun activities along with the more serious stuff.
basic dog training tips #20 – use a leash or harness
If you’re having trouble getting your dog to behave, a leash or harness can be a helpful tool. It will allow you to keep him under control while you’re working on his training. Just make sure you’re using the leash correctly and not relying on it too much. Otherwise, he’ll never learn to behave without it.
basic dog training tips #21 – get professional help
If you’re really struggling to train your dog on your own, don’t be afraid to seek out some professional help. There are plenty of dog trainers out there who would be more than happy to assist you in teaching your furry friend the ropes.
basic dog training tips #22 – keep a training journal
One way to track your dog’s progress is to keep a training journal. This can help you identify what’s working and what isn’t so that you can make necessary adjustments. It can also be fun to look back on later and see how far your dog has come.
basic dog training tips #23 – try different training methods
If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try a different approach.
There are a variety of different training methods out there, so there’s bound to be one that works better for your dog.
You may just need to experiment a bit to find the right fit.
basic dog training tips #24 – be creative
When it comes to training your dog, get creative. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so feel free to mix things up and do whatever you think will work best for your furry friend.
basic dog training tips #25 – take a class
If you want to learn more about dog training, consider taking a class. There are often classes offered at local pet stores or through community organizations. This can be a great way to get some professional help and meet other dog owners in the process.
basic dog training tips #26 – join a club
Another option for getting professional help is to join a dog training club.
These clubs typically offer group classes that can be very beneficial for both you and your pup.
And you’ll often make some new friends in the process.
basic dog training tips #27 – read books & articles
If you want to learn more about dog training on your own, there are plenty of resources available. Books and articles can be a great way to get started and explore different training methods.
basic dog training tips #28 – watch videos
In addition to reading, you can also learn a lot by watching videos on dog training. There are plenty of helpful tutorials available online that can walk you through the basics.
basic dog training tips #29 – check out online forums
Another great resource for dog owners is online forums. These are often full of helpful information and advice from other dog owners who have been in your shoes.
basic dog training tips #30 – seek out a mentor
If you know someone who has successfully trained their dog, ask if they would be willing to be a mentor to you. This can be an invaluable resource as you navigate the world of dog training. Having someone to offer guidance and support can make a big difference.
Summary
Congratulations on choosing to train your dog! It can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding process.
We hope the tips in this blog post have helped you get started on the right foot.
Remember, consistency is key when training your dog, so be patient and keep at it. And before you know it, you’ll have a well-trained furry friend by your side.
What has been your biggest challenge while training your dog? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media pages – we love hearing from our readers!
“May Your Home Be Filled With Love And Dog Hair”
Mark
Founder of Our Dogs World 101
These are some great tips. We have had a jack russell/beagle mix for about 5 years. She is energetic and very smart. The most important tip that you offer which we experience is being consistent. We use the same phrases. She likes to learn. We have also tried to let her develop her own personality. Consequently, she is easy to look after and a lot of fun. We did read books initially and found them helpful. However, you suggest a class. This was important for us and for her. She began to learn to be with other dogs and we learned a lot about training. Thanks for these tips. We have been at it for awhile but they will be very helpful.
Thanks for the comment.
Two great breeds in one Anastazja and I am glad you found these tips useful.
You have compiled a very helpful list for training a puppy. I have to admit that I almost stopped reading on tip number nine, I thought it was funny, though! I never would have thought to keep a journal for training a puppy but it does seem like a good idea. Another tip I found interesting was the one about not repeating myself and thinking of him as a child so he wouldn’t think he didn’t have to listen. Even though I haven’t had this problem, I didn’t realize it could even be an issue.
Hahah I am glad you had a chuckle at number 9!
Dogs are so smart, and just like kids if they think that they can get away with something by not listening they will.
Mark
Wow! I wish I had this years ago. We now have 2 very good Labs. Niko is a Black Lab that is almost 5 and Link is a Chocolate Lab that is 3. They both know how to read too. lol. But it does take consistency when trying to train any animal. We are still working on 1 issue with Link because he has anxiety issues whenever we my husband and I both leave the house which manifests in him chewing/eating anything he can get his mouth on. Not such a good thing. But we are working on it and he is getting better.
Hi Brandaley,
I love the Labs!
I recently lost my 13 year old black lab, and she was the best dog I have ever owned (And I have owned a few)
Yes, consistency is definitely key when it comes to training.
All the best to Link and his anxiety, and I am sure you and hubby will help him get over it.
I am sorry to hear that you lost her.
We will get there. It just takes time and patience.
Thank you.
Yes I am learing the same thing (time & patience) with my newest admission my 2 1/2 year old 78KG English Mastiff 🙂
These are such helpful tips when you are training a new puppy. When I got my own first puppy and took it for dog training, one of the first things we learnt was consistency. If you are not consistent, you will only confuse your dogs and make it difficult for them.
Short and concise commands are also much easier for a dog to learn, than drawn out sentences. And always reward good behaviour and reinforce the positive. Using hand signals is one that I have not used before, so will certainly include that next time I need to train a dog.
Thanks Line.
Love this list of tips but I think having patience should have been on the top of the list. I think this is where most people fail as it does take a lot of it to train a dog. The next is definitely consistency. Doing something regularly will definitely speed up the process. I like the tip of only saying something once and then taking action to let your dog know that you are serious.
Thanks Michel.
Dayum I’m surprised how much value one post has. I definitely needed the #3 one. I gave up too quickly when my dog didn’t do the tricks I wanted. I should have just stuck to the basics and had more faith. I’m definitely bookmarking these tips for future use. Maybe even join a class dedicated to this.
Great stuff Alex, and let me know how your training progresses following these 30 free basic dog training tips!
Mark
If you are not able to bring your dog to training or you want to train your dog yourself, we suggest another option: owner education with instructions on dog training. I can freely call dog training organized control of a dog’s behavior when introducing new habits. Regardless of what the problem was in the communication between the dog and its owner, almost every time the main and responsible culprit for such behavior of the dog is the human.
So true Bojana… There is no such thing as a badly trained dog, just badly trained owners 🙂