18 Dog Obedience Training Tips and Tricks

Dog obedience training is designed to help your dog listen to commands and adopt appropriate behaviour. Whether you have a brand-new puppy or your dog’s older, it’s never too late to introduce a furry friend to proper training. As soon as possible, start training. Even a beginner pet owner can manage what we’re about to share. Don’t let it intimidate, overwhelm, or discourage you. Consistency and patience are key.

Here are some key dog obedience training tips and tricks you can use.

Start Early

The earlier you start training, the less likely bad habits will form. A puppy is more adaptable and eager to learn than an older dog. However, any dog can learn.

Simple Commands

Start with simple commands for dog obedience training, such as ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘come.’ Don’t give your dog too much. Teach one command at a time until your dog fully understands it. Let them grasp the basics before moving on.

Train by Positive Reinforcement

When your dog engages in good behaviour that you want them to repeat, reward them with dog treats and praise. If your dog engages in bad behaviour, ignore it and redirect them to the good behaviour you want to reward.

Identify Barking Triggers

Excessive barking is difficult to resolve in some breeds. It starts, however, by identifying the triggers. Remove or manage these where possible. Next, teach the ‘quiet’ command and reward your dog for being silent after a bulk.

Address Jumping

A dog shouldn’t jump on everyone it meets. When it jumps up for attention, stay calm and ignore it. Acknowledge your dog and reward it only when it has all four paws on the ground. Use the ‘off’ command to discourage jumping.

Teach Your Dog to Wait

Use dog treats to teach your dog to ‘wait.’ Place the treat on the ground in front of your dog. Encourage your dog to wait. Then, reward them for ignoring it and being patient.

Teach your dog to sit and wait before you enter or exit a door. This is hard to do, but with the right training, your dog can be prevented from bolting or rushing the door.

Teach Commands

When your dog has a toy or an item, train them to ‘drop it.’ Use this command to release whatever your dog has in their mouth and, in return, offer them a treat. This is an essential command to learn for safety and obedience.

Consistency in Rules

Ensure all family members and friends follow the same rules regarding how to treat your dog and interact. When there are mixed messages, it will only hinder progress.

Socialize Your Dog

Introduce your dog on a leash to other people, pets, and environments. Monitor your dog. Use controlled interactions to continue teaching obedience. Multiple studies show socialization reduces fear and aggression in dogs of all breeds.

Leash Training

Teach your dog to walk calmly with you while on a leash. Use dog treats as rewards to reinforce good behaviour while leashed. If your dog pulls and is causing trouble, stop walking and provide no reward.

Monitor Body Language

If your dog exhibits distress or discomfort during training, stop what you’re doing and adjust your approach. A relaxed and focused dog learns more effectively than a dog that isn’t.

Try Advanced Techniques When Ready

Engage in slightly more advanced obedience training by asking your dog to ‘spin’ or ‘roll over.’ Once again, reward your dog with a treat when they do it correctly. This style of obedience training will challenge your dog’s mind.

Practice Off-Leash Training

Start off-leash training in a secure, enclosed area. Use recall commands to see if your dog is obedient. If not, take your dog back home and train it some more before assisting.

Avoid Overusing Dog Treats

It can be tempting because dog treats are such an effective tool for dog obedience training. However, they can’t be everything. Gradually reduce the frequency of treats you provide. Use more verbal praise or petting to get your point across.

Make Training Fun

A dog will not want to learn, and you may not want to teach if both parties are not enjoying training. If this sounds like you, keep training sessions short and the tone light, and play with your dog post-training to get some energy out.

Crate Train Your Dog

Crate training is the most effective house training for a puppy or dog. The crate is never a punishment but should be somewhere you can look forward to exploring. Don’t use the crate as a punishment. Treat it as a good thing and somewhere your dog can go to get quiet and comfortable.

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Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

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