How to Train Your Dog: Learn the Basics Here!

So, you’ve got yourself a new fluffball, and you’re watching as they chew everything, sniff everywhere, and perhaps even has a little accident on your favourite rug and wondering how the heck you can turn this bundle of distracted energy into a well-trained companion.

Well, trust me, it is possible and millions of other puppy owners have managed it without too much stress. The good news is you can do it too, and you don’t have to go through it on your own.

We have put together this helpful guide on how to train your puppy (or more mature dog) and turn it from a four-legged poop machine into a delightfully well-behaved member of the furmily.

We’ll show you how to coach your Collie, guide your Golden Retriever and school your Scottie.

GENERAL TIPS:

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here are a few general tips that can make the process a howl lot easier.

1. Quiet place:
Puppies (and dogs in general) can easily lose focus and zone out. So, to make the process easier, do the training in a quiet place without too much activity or background noise.

2. Pawsitive reinforcement: 
I won't lie - training us can be a frustrating experience. But when this happens, do your best not to get angry with us. Yelling and/or getting angry will make us scared of you and unwilling or unable to trust you. Instead, stick to positive reinforcement. When we do something good, give us a yummy treat and praise us lavishly.

Remember, we want to please you and are eager to learn. It just takes time and a little (okay, a LOT) of patience.

Be sure to reward us immediately when we do the right thing. If you leave it too long, we won’t know what you are praising us for or why we are getting a delicious morsel.

3. Be consistent:
You might understand the difference between saying "come", "get your tail over here" and "heel", but we don’t.
So, make sure you keep your language consistent. Use the same word for the same action until we’ve got it in our head and do it pawfectly each time.

Alrighty - now it's time for the nitty-gritty! 

TEACHING ME MY NAME:

This might sound obvious but trust me, it’s going to simplify things massively.
If I don’t know what I’m called, then I’m not necessarily going to understand that you’re talking to me.

So, for example, if my name is Cooper, then use it as often as you can in the early months.

Yes, yes, I’m aware that at some point I will become super dooper Cooper, Cooper the pooper, Coopie doop, Coopily doopily and oops Coops, but for now, let’s just keep it simple and stick to Cooper until I know that’s my name.

TEACHING ME TO ‘COME’:

This is a biggie. Us pooches live in the moment and often hurl ourselves blindly into whatever’s going on, whether we’re invited or not. And the results, as you’d expect, can be chaotic.

Being able to recall us with a single call can save us (and you) from a world of hurt.

Get my attention with a treat or toy. Once I am focussed on you, give me the cue, ‘come’ in a clear and friendly voice. When I start moving your way, praise me and give me a treat.

If I don’t respond, clap your hands and move in an animated way to get my attention and then When I do, yep, you guessed it, give me praise and a treat.

TEACHING ME TO SIT:

When I meet new people, or they come over to the house, I get excited. And when that happens, I jump up on them to show my enthusiasm.

Some people find this cute. Others don’t. Pawticularly if I put my paws in a sensitive area.

So, best if you teach me the word ‘sit.’ Then, if I’m getting a little exuberant, you can reel me in and give me a few moments to regather my composure.

Get me to look at you by using a treat or toy. Wait a moment until my bum hits the ground and say ‘sit’.

As I start to sit, give me a treat and some encouraging words. Rinse and repeat.

TEACHING ME TO STAY:

You want me to sit patiently by the car while you put my leash on. I want to run over and play with that Fox Terrier in the park. And unfortunately, I don’t really understand the concept of a busy road. 

And that’s why ‘Stay’ is a word of such pawramount importance. It can stop me running into dangerous situations like a busy street, a river/ocean, a crowded dog park or an unnecessary confrontation.

Make me sit or lie down. Then hold your hand up in front of my face  and say "stay". Begin to gradually back away, and if I don’t move, then give me praise and a treat.

Begin with a short distance, and gradually increase it over several training sessions. 

If I do move, then start the process again, and this time, pause after each step and give me a treat if I stay put.

TOILETING, GO FOR A WEE, POO ETC.

Trust me, you’re going to need this one. Just like you, I need to go to the bathroom multiple times a day. Now, ideally, you would prefur this to be outside. I get that. But to make it happen is going to require a bit of careful training.

The first thing to remember is that you need to be consistent. Try and take me out at the same time every day and give me plenty of time to have a sniff, explore and then pee/poo.

It’s also a good idea to think about getting me a doggy door. They are not that expensive and can be easily installed.

That way I can go in and out when I need to (but please remember to make sure the garden is securely fenced, so I can’t get out).

Be patient. I’m going to try my best, but accidents can and will happen before we get settled into our routine. And if/when they do, it’s not going to help you if get angry and yell at me. Just be kind, patient and let’s put it down to experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Once we’ve got the basics down pat, life is going to become a whole lot easier. I will come when you ask, stay when you tell me to and do my business outside. When we’ve sorted all that out, we can move on to some more fun stuff like ‘roll over,’ play dead, and ‘hi-five.’ Trust me, I’m a smart cookie and I enjoy learning new stuff.

If, however, you are struggling to train me, or you want to make sure it is done pawfectly, then feel free to get me a dog trainer.  A lot of people do, and it can provide valuable extra training to set me up for success.

So, there you have it, hoomans. The beginner’s guide to training your dog!

Just remember, be patient, kind and understanding, and before you know it, you’ll have a new family member who listens more closely and is better behaved than your kids!

A special thanks to Trudi & Julie at Dog Logic for teaching us a trick or two.