One of the most important and rewarding things you can do as a pet parent is to train your dog well, but it’s often hard to know how to get started. Since January is national Train Your Dog Month, we thought we’d share some handy tips to help you and your pup get going.
1. Use positive reinforcement techniques
Almost all vets agree that positive reinforcement training is the most effective method of dog training. Positive reinforcement training essentially focuses on rewarding your pet for good behavior, rather than punishing bad behavior.
Whenever your dog demonstrates good behavior and responds positively to your commands, reward them! By rewarding good behavior, you’re reinforcing the association between good behavior and good things.
It’s also important to make sure you’re not inadvertently rewarding unwanted behavior. For example, if your dog barks at you to play or jumps up to say hello, don’t acknowledge it or give in, as this just reinforces the bad behavior. Instead, wait until they’re calmer before giving them attention.
2. Find the right reward.
Some dogs are food-motivated and will respond very enthusiastically to any sort of edible treat as a reward. Others are pickier: soft, chewy treats are often preferred over hard, crunchy ones.
Some dogs, however, just aren’t that interested in food at all. If this is the case with your pup, try experimenting with other rewards, such as a quick play session with a favorite toy or even just plenty of affection.
We recommend using high-value treats like string cheese, pieces of hot dog, or these training treats.
3. Consistency is key.
Consistency in your training is critical. This includes consistency in how you’re training your dog, for example, always using the same word, and even the same kind of intonation, when asking them to do something.
Equally important is ensuring everyone in your household is on the same page. Dogs need consistency to learn new habits, so if you never let the dog on the couch, but your partner does, your pup will just end up confused.
4. Train little and often.
Short training sessions repeated throughout the day are much more effective than longer ones. The American Kennel Club recommends keeping sessions to five minutes maximum; any longer and your dog may become distracted or frustrated.
Dogs also often struggle to generalize commands to other places or situations (i.e., understanding that asking for a “sit” at home is the same thing as a “sit” on a busy street), so it’s useful to repeat your training sessions in multiple locations, with different people and with varying levels of distraction, so that your pup learns to respond correctly to the same command all the time.
5. Build up in stages.
Starting small can be helpful, particularly for more complex behaviors such as “stay” or behavior modification (when you’re trying to eliminate unwanted behavior).
Try breaking behaviors down into smaller parts. For example, in the beginning, if you’re training “come,” praise and reward your dog when they take even one step towards you. It’s much easier to add on steps and build up to the whole behavior once your pup starts to get the hang of it.
6. Make it fun.
Training should be fun, both for you and your dog! Always keep it positive, and try mixing things up to keep it interesting, such as incorporating short play sessions into your training in between repetitions.
You could also consider training your dog to do tricks in addition to regular obedience training. As humans, we naturally respond more enthusiastically to seeing a dog rolling over than we do to a plain old sit. Our dogs pick up on that enthusiasm and end up loving to perform tricks for us!
It’s easy to get caught up in the end goal of training, but remember to praise your dog for any small improvement
7. Praise the small things.
Remember to always praise your dog for any improvement, no matter how small. It’s easy to get caught up in the end goal of training, but celebrating the little wins is just as important and will help keep both you and your dog motivated.
8. Work training into daily life.
By making training part of your usual pet routine, it’s a lot easier to fit in many small sessions. For example, ask your dog to sit or respond to another command before you give them their dinner, take them out for a walk, or play with them.
9. Use your hands.
Much as we’d wish they could, dogs can’t understand language the same way we do. Many dogs respond better to hand signals than verbal commands, so try combining the two, or even begin with only hand signals and add the verbal command later.
10. Consult a dog trainer or attend a training class.
If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to contact a professional dog trainer or join a training class. Generally, one of the fastest ways to get results is that professional trainers have years of knowledge they can use to help you and your pup. They will have encountered a range of problems in their careers, so they should have ideas for addressing any issues they may face.
When choosing a trainer, take your time to do a little research. Make sure they use positive reinforcement techniques and read plenty of reviews or get references if you can.
We host regular puppy training classes at Alaska Dog Works – reach out to our team for more details!
Better Dog Training FAQ
Most professional trainers recommend keeping sessions to five minutes or less to maintain focus and motivation.
Positive reinforcement is widely recognized by veterinarians and trainers as the most effective and humane method.
String cheese, small pieces of hot dog, or soft, chewy treats that your dog finds especially exciting work well.
Dogs learn through repetition and clarity. Inconsistent commands or household rules create confusion and slow progress.
If you’re struggling with behavior issues, lack of progress, or complex training goals, working with a professional trainer can accelerate results.
We offer a FREE Discovery Call.
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Dr. Robert Forto
is Alaska Dog Works’ training director.
Michele Forto
is the lead trainer for Alaska Dog Works.
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