Dog Training at Home: Tips and Techniques for Success
Training your dog at home can be a rewarding and bonding experience for both you and your pup. Whether you have a high energy puppy or an adult dog that needs some behavior modification, there are plenty of techniques and tools you can use to successfully train your dog at home.
In this blog, we'll covered some key tips and considerations for training puppies, adult dogs, and where to start with your training journey. We've also discussed the use of treats as a training aid and how to use them effectively.
Puppy Training Camp:
Training a puppy can be a fun and exciting time, but it can also be challenging as they are still learning and developing their behavior. It’s a myth that old dogs can’t learn new tricks, but it certainly helps to begin training the younger your dog is. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when training a puppy:
Start early: It's never too early to start training your puppy. In fact, the earlier you start, the better. This will give them a solid foundation for good behavior and make it easier to teach them new skills as they grow.
Keep it positive: Puppies, like all dogs, respond best to positive reinforcement. Use treats, praise, and toys to reward good behavior and avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement as this can lead to fear and mistrust.
Set clear boundaries: Puppies need to know what is expected of them and what is not acceptable. Set clear boundaries and rules for your puppy and consistently enforce them to help them understand what is expected of them.
Be patient: Puppies have short attention spans and will make mistakes as they learn. Be patient and remember that it takes time and repetition for them to learn new skills and behaviors.
Adult Dog Training Camp:
Training an adult dog can be a bit different than training a puppy, as they have already developed some habits and behaviors. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when training an adult dog:
Identify any problem behaviors: If you have an adult dog with specific behavior issues, it's important to identify and address these issues before attempting to teach them new skills.
Use positive reinforcement: Just like with puppies, adult dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. Use treats, praise, and toys to reward good behavior and avoid using punishment or negative reinforcement.
Focus on one skill at a time: Adult dogs can be more easily overwhelmed if you try to teach them too many things at once. Focus on one skill or behavior at a time and gradually introduce new skills as they master the previous ones.
Be consistent: Consistency is key when training an adult dog. Use the same commands and techniques each time you train to help them understand what is expected of them.
Where to Start:
So, where do you start with dog training at home? With our dog, who has been high energy since a very early age, training was a routine that we started early and something that we continue to focus on to this day. Never an easy task,
Here are a few basic skills to consider teaching your dog:
Basic obedience:
Basic training for dogs is an essential part of owning a pet. Not only does it provide a way for you to communicate with your dog, but it also helps to keep them safe and well-behaved. Here are some tips for training your dog and the importance of teaching them the commands "sit," "stay," and "come."
First, it is important to establish yourself as the pack leader. Dogs have a natural instinct to follow a leader, and if you don't assert yourself as the leader, your dog may become confused and difficult to train. One way to establish yourself as the leader is to always go through doors and walk up and down stairs before your dog.
Next, keep training sessions short and positive. Dogs have a short attention span, so it is important to keep training sessions to no more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to reward your dog for good behavior.
It's important to start with basic commands such as "sit," "stay," and "come." These commands provide a foundation for more advanced training and can also be used in emergency situations.
"Sit" is a basic command that is easy to teach and is the foundation for many other commands. The "stay" command is also an essential one, especially for dogs who have a tendency to wander. It can help to keep your dog safe in an emergency situation. "Come" command is also important for recall. It's also a great way to get your dog's attention when they are distracted.
Potty training:
Potty training is an important skill for all dogs to learn, especially if you live in an apartment or don't have a yard, and is one of the first things you'll need to teach your puppy. The key to successful potty training is to take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Reward your puppy with praise and treats when they go potty in the appropriate spot, and use a consistent command, such as "go potty," to help them associate the action with the command.
When Graham was a puppy, we were living in an apartment without easy access to the side yard. To eliminate unnecessary trips to the side yard or the occasional accident, we trained him to ring a bell when he needed to go potty. Through countless trips out to the yard after ringing the bell for him ahead of time and lots of positive reinforcement we never had another accident!
Leash training:
Leash training is an important aspect of training your puppy and for many adult dogs, a consistent part of the continued training routine. However, many puppies can be hesitant or resistant to wearing a leash and collar, so it's important to take the time to introduce them to the leash in a positive and patient way.
Here are some tips for leash training your puppy:
Start Slow: Introduce your puppy to the leash and collar slowly. Allow them to sniff and investigate the leash and collar, and reward them with treats and praise for calm behavior.
Build Positive Association: During the initial stages of training, focus on building a positive association with the leash. Reward your puppy with treats, praise, and playtime whenever they're wearing the leash.
Practice in Controlled Environments: Once your puppy is comfortable with the leash, practice walking with them in a controlled environment, such as your backyard or living room. This will help them get used to the feeling of the leash and collar before venturing out into more distractions.
Short Training Sessions: Keep training sessions short, as puppies have short attention spans. Gradually increase the length of the walks over time.
Keep it Positive: Use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior. Reward your puppy with treats, praise, and playtime when they walk calmly on a leash.
Be Patient: Leash training can take time, especially for puppies who are particularly hesitant or resistant. Be patient and don't get discouraged if your puppy takes longer than expected to get used to the leash.
Avoid Force: Never use force when training your puppy to walk on a leash. This can create a negative association with the leash and make the training process more difficult.
Walk with Confidence: As you are walking, maintain a confident and calm demeanor and use the leash to guide your puppy. Avoid yanking or pulling on the leash which will only confuse and frustrate the puppy.
Whether just starting out or practicing continued training with an older dog, leash training is a crucial aspect of training. It helps to ensure their safety and well-being when outside and maintains a level of comfortability that allows you to take your dog with you even in situations where distractions are prominent!
The Use of Treats in Dog Training:
Treats can be a powerful tool in dog training, as they provide positive reinforcement for good behavior and can help motivate your dog to learn new skills. However, it's important to use treats wisely and in moderation to avoid overfeeding and weight gain. Here are a few tips for using treats effectively in your dog training:
Use high-value treats: Choose treats that your dog really loves as a reward. This can be something small, like a piece of cheese or a small dog biscuit, or something more special, like a slice of cooked chicken or a small piece of liver.
Use treats sparingly: Treats should be used to reward good behavior, not as a constant source of food. Aim to use treats for training sessions and then switch to regular meals once the training is complete.
Gradually reduce the frequency of treats: As your dog becomes more skilled and understands what is expected of them, gradually reduce the frequency of treats as a reward. This will help your dog learn to work for praise and other forms of positive reinforcement in addition to treats.
Use treats as a reward, not a bribe: Treats should be used as a reward for good behavior, not as a bribe to get your dog to perform a task. If you use treats as a bribe, your dog may not perform the task unless they see a treat in your hand.
My Favorite Training Treats
Farm to Pet - Chicken Chips (Single Ingredient Treats)
Stella & Chewy - Beef Wild Weenies (All Natural, Freeze Dried Raw)
Grandma Lucy’s - Freeze Dried Chicken (Single Ingredient Treat)
Training your dog at home can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your pup. By starting early, using positive reinforcement, setting clear boundaries, and being consistent, you can successfully train your dog at home. The use of treats can also be a useful tool in training, but it's important to use them wisely and in moderation. With a little patience and dedication, you can teach your dog a wide range of skills and behaviors to make them a well-behaved and happy companion.
For us, training did not come all that easy and it took time to master the more advanced commands. Graham was a high energy puppy and continues to be that way at his current age. With a great foundation of commands and consistent continued training, he continues to be a well behaved pup that enjoys learning new tricks regularly!
Once you have mastered these commands and are feeling more adventurous, it’s time to start learning some tricks! Check out my favorites, from the basics to more advanced!