6 Dog Training Tips to Help Your Best Friend Thrive

By Jessa Paschke, Pet Behavior and Training Specialist

All pets need guidance. Training helps ensure they stay safe and healthy, and interact well with those around them. In fact, a well-trained dog is often happier and more relaxed! Dogs love structure, and they enjoy learning new skills, working with you, and gaining praise and affection through the process of dog training.

Here are six dog training tips to get you started…

dogs need rules for behavior
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1. Set rules for your dog and stick with them

Is your dog allowed on the bed or furniture? Is part of the yard off limits? Decide on your “house rules” and stick with them. Being inconsistent will confuse your dog and make it harder to make progress with training.

2. Teach the core four dog training cues

Make sure your dog understands the “come,” “sit,” “stay” and “drop it” cues. These can literally be lifesaving, for example if your dog gets away from their leash near a busy street, or goes to eat something that could be dangerous. Check out 10 tips from professional dog trainers here.

dog training outdoors
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3. Train your dog with small steps, repetition and rewards

To train your dog, you need to show the behavior you want – like coming when called – and reward it. For example, get down on your dog’s level and say “come” while enticing the dog to come towards you with playful gestures or moving slightly away from him. When they get to you, reward them with praise and a treat. This will teach your dog that great things come from you when they come when called.

Practice over time, from a greater and greater distance, and at times when your dog is most likely to succeed. Work up to eventually being off-leash in a distracting environment. But, don’t practice outdoors until your dog has mastered this cue and won’t run away.

Here are 20 helpful training dos and don’ts from our PEDIGREE® brand.

happy dog body langauge
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4. Watch body language during dog training

Dogs use their whole bodies to communicate. Be sure to keep an eye on what yours is trying to tell you. For example, a wagging tail and “smiling,” open mouth is generally a positive sign. Ears back or a tail held low is generally demonstrating concern or unease.

Watch your dog and adjust your training to match. Never try to force a training session when your dog is unhappy or uncomfortable. Download our Happy Pet Handbook (PDF) for pictures of different dog body language and what it means.

5. Socialization and stimulation are part of dog training

Dogs are social animals. Are you exposing yours to new situations and helping them get comfortable meeting other people and dogs? This article from VCA Animal Hospitals explains why socialization is important. Be sure to introduce your dog to different situations, people and pets – in a controlled environment and with careful guidance – so they become adaptable and will follow cues in any situation.

socializing a dog with a walk
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6. Remember, it’s “dog time”

Dogs live in the moment. Shortly after they’ve done something, they move on to their next adventure. So, you have to remind and reinforce accordingly. Don’t wait to interrupt an undesirable behavior. Ask for the desired behavior as soon as possible so that your dog learns what you’re looking for right away.

When your dog works hard in a training session and achieves the behavior you’re seeking, be sure to give lots of immediate praise, a treat or a few extra minutes of playtime.

Don’t over-treat, however, since you want your pet to stay at a healthy weight. You can break up treats into small bites to provide several treats in a training session.

happy dog and dog owner
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Of course, if you’re having significant issues with your dog’s behavior, be sure to get professional help. Work with a dog trainer to create a tailored plan for your dog’s needs, and talk with your vet to see if behavior issues might relate to an underlying health issue.

Remember: A poorly trained dog is the responsibility of the person, not the dog. As a responsible pet parent, make sure your dog can thrive in any situation. That’s how you can spend the most time, and the best quality time, with your very best friend.

Learn a dog training tip you didn’t know, or have another one to offer? Please share this article on social media and add your two cents. We’re @marspetcareus.

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