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Dog obedience training is an essential step in creating a well-behaved, happy, and confident puppy. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or looking to refine your training approach, starting with the basics is key.
When we welcome a new puppy into our lives, we’re not just bringing home a pet; we’re gaining a furry companion, a best friend, and a family member. But just like any relationship, the bond between you and your dog requires patience, understanding, and consistent guidance.
Dog obedience training is a powerful tool to build the human/canine relationship while creating a canine good citizen. It helps to foster trust, respect, and clear communication with your four-legged buddy.
With the right approach, obedience training for puppies becomes much more than a set of commands – it’s a great way to enrich both your lives and bring out the best in your furry friend.
Why Dog Obedience Training Matters
At its core, obedience training isn’t about making your puppy follow rules just for the sake of it. It’s about teaching them how to share the human world safely and politely.
Simple commands like "sit," "stay," and "come" go a long way in keeping them out of trouble and teaching them good manners.
A solid understanding of basic dog obedience commands can even save your pup’s life if they accidentally get loose and run towards a busy street. Basic recall skills can prevent your pet from running into traffic or worse.
Obedience training for puppies also minimizes behavioural problems, making daily interactions with your furry friend much more enjoyable. Plus, training sessions provide mental stimulation, which is as essential for dogs as physical exercise.
When Should You Start Training Your Dog?
Dog obedience training can start as early as possible. Puppy obedience training sets the foundation for good manners, helping your young pup understand boundaries and expectations.
However, it’s never too late to start training your pooch. Adult dogs can also learn and benefit from obedience training, which improves their behaviour and strengthens their connection with you.
Practicing some basic manners and behaviours even in fully trained dogs can help sharpen their skills even more and help enrich their training routine.
Are Dog Obedience Classes Necessary?
Deciding whether to join a professional dog obedience class or tackle training on your own is a big choice. Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all comes down to your dog’s personality, your comfort level, and the specific training goals you have in mind.
If you’re new to dog training or feel a bit overwhelmed, a professional class is a great option. Obedience classes offer structure and a supportive environment, where both you and your dog can learn the basics together.
Trained instructors are there to guide you step-by-step, helping you avoid common mistakes and giving real-time feedback. Plus, your dog gets the added benefit of socializing with other dogs, which is a huge plus for many pups who need to learn to focus around distractions.
Also, let’s be honest, there’s something to be said about the community vibe – meeting other dog owners who are going through the same journey can make the process more fun and motivating.
On the other hand, going solo with training has its perks, especially if you and your dog already have a good rhythm. If you’re comfortable learning from online resources, books, or videos, self-guided training can give you the freedom to go at your own pace and tailor the experience to your dog’s needs.
Solo training is also ideal for dogs who might get overstimulated or anxious in a group setting, where the hustle and bustle can be a bit much. Training at home allows you to build a routine in a familiar environment, which can sometimes lead to faster progress.
Some dog owners find that a hybrid approach works best, using classes for advanced skills while doing day-to-day dog obedience training on their own.
The Basics of Obedience Training for Dogs
Let’s get into some fundamental obedience training techniques that can help you and your dog live happily together. Remember, consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to effective training.
Socialization
Socialization is an important part of obedience training, especially for puppies. The world is a big place so you’ll want to expose your dog to different people, places, sounds, and other dogs at an early age to help them build confidence.
When they are small and inexperienced, they may be frightened and hesitant to explore new environments or interact with unfamiliar things, but by gradually introducing new things in a positive way, your dog can overcome their fears and learn safe and polite habits.
There are so many experiences that will be new and intimidating to your pooch, so start small and brief and slowly work up to busier, louder, or more exciting situations.
Basic Commands
It's best to start with the simplest and most common commands when beginning obedience training for dogs of any age. As your dog learns, you can slowly add more and more commands, tricks, and behaviours to your training routine, but it's most efficient to stick to basics when just starting out.
Many basic commands can help build your dog's confidence, strengthen your bond, and facilitate a variety of other behaviours and routines.
Each command can help build trust and patience in an excited or easily distracted puppy. Choose simple one-word verbal commands that only have one meaning. Use them consistently and practice them often to help your dog learn faster and build better habits over time.
Here are the 4 basic commands of dog obedience training for beginners:
Sit
Teaching your dog to sit on command is the starting point for many other obedience skills. A sitting dog is less likely to jump on guests, bolt out the door, or get in the way in busy situations.
Teaching the sit command is a breeze. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly move it up and over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their bottom should naturally lower to the ground. Once they sit, praise them enthusiastically and give them the treat.
Stay
"Stay" helps your dog remain in one spot, which is valuable for safety and control, especially in public spaces.
Ask your dog to sit, then say "stay" with an open palm facing them. Take a few steps back, and if they hold their position, reward them. Gradually increase the distance and duration before rewarding them.
Ideally, you should always work on "stay" with different distractions, like other people or noises, so your dog learns to hold the command in real-life situations.
Come
Without a doubt, the "come" is a lifesaver – literally. If your dog ever gets loose, being able to recall them back to you is a must!
Start in a quiet area with your dog on a leash. Say "come" in a cheerful tone and wait for them to respond. When your furry friend comes to you, even if it's only part of the way, excitedly praise them and reward them with a treat.
Over time, practice in larger, enclosed spaces and eventually in open areas (with supervision) so your dog learns to respond to this command in all settings.
Leave It
This command prevents your dog from picking up potentially dangerous objects, like food scraps or sharp items. It’s also a challenge to teach because most dogs love to eat and chew on new things.
Place a treat in your hand, say "leave it," and close your hand if your dog tries to grab it. Once they stop trying, reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
Use this command around objects like food bowls, toys, or items on the street to reinforce it in everyday scenarios.
You can teach dogs many more commands and tricks. Some will be functional, like the ones above and could teach a specific skill that can be used to enforce routine, teach patience, or keep them safe.
Others are just for fun and provide mental stimulation. Start simple, but don't be afraid to add some fun commands to your obedience training routine.
Check out 10 Best Tricks to Teach Your Dog for some easy tricks that just about any dog can master.
Keep a Fun But Consistent Routine
Though much of your dog's routine will manifest naturally around your own, intentionally building good daily habits and scheduling activities can help your dog learn better manners. The repetition encourages learning and can help to reduce anxiety.
You don't need to schedule every second of every day, but rather be flexible with a simple daily framework for your dog. Routine meals, playtime, exercise, and socialization can all lead to a better-behaved and happier pooch.
Scheduled Meal Times
Choosing and adhering to strict meal times will help your dog balance calories and exercise, especially in growing puppies. This can lead to better muscle development, healthier weight, and appropriate energy for daily activities.
Meals can be an effective anchor for your dog's daily routine. A steady schedule can help regulate bathroom needs and exercise and help your dog adjust to your schedule.
Solo and Interactive Playtime
Though some dogs may seem to be happy to nap the day away, a routine that is too boring could manifest as dog anxiety or stress, and destructive behaviours. This is why you should schedule appropriate playtime with your pup every day.
They learn good habits and new skills from group play with games like tug-o-war or hide and seek. You can also use puzzles and chew toys to teach your dog to keep themselves occupied. This can lead to natural self-soothing habits that they can fall back on when they are stressed or overstimulated.
Physical Exercise
Playtime and exercise often overlap, but it's important to make sure that some of your dog's daily playtime or outings involve high-energy physical activity. This could be a brisk walk, a trip to the dog park, a vigorous game of fetch or whatever other high-energy games your dog enjoys.
Gear your dog's exercise to their physical abilities. Young puppies expend their energy in short bursts and need plenty of downtime in between. Seniors and larger breeds may have mobility issues that limit the type and intensity of exercise they can participate in.
Deciding how much exercise is appropriate for dogs can be challenging. Check out our dog exercise calculator to get a baseline and make adjustments as needed.
For more tips to enrich and enhance your dog's routine, check out Common Symptoms & Solutions for Dog Boredom. These games, activities, and routines can help to keep your dog happy and engaged.
Leash Training
Teaching good leash skills is an important part of building a better bond with your pet. A confident and well-behaved walker will let you set the pace and direction making the outing more enjoyable and more safe.
For young puppies and dogs that have never used a leash, you'll need to take some time to desensitize them by letting them sniff, touch, and interact with the lead while rewarding them with small training treats and positive praise. You can start practicing short leashed walks around the house or yard to help them get accustomed to walking with you.
Check out How to Stop a Dog From Pulling on Leash for tips on leash training and safer walking habits for dogs.
Teaching skills like recall may require special tools, like the Company Of Animals Coachi Training Line. These extra-long leads are great for controlled training sessions that require distance and are a great first step before practicing recall off-leash.
Load Up on Dog Training Treats
And don’t forget dog training treats! Dogs learn best when they’re rewarded with something yummy. When choosing the best dog training treats, consider three main factors: size, ingredients, and appeal.
Treats for training should be small enough to allow for frequent rewards without overfilling your dog, so look for bite-sized varieties that are easy to handle.
Check the ingredients for natural, wholesome ingredients so you can rest easy knowing that you’re giving your dog something healthy. Always avoid treats with artificial additives or fillers.
Finally, go for treats that your dog finds irresistible; high-value treats like freeze-dried meats or cheese-flavoured bites often work best, especially for more challenging training tasks. Here are a few of our faves:
Dog obedience training is a meaningful way to build a truly positive relationship with your furry friend. With patience, consistency, and the right tools, you can help your dog learn the skills they need to thrive in our world. Dog training helps create a happier life for both of you.
Remember, dog training is a journey, not a race – enjoy the process, and celebrate every step forward. It’s a great time to bond with your furry friend and cherish every moment you share.
Dog Obedience Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age to start puppy obedience training?
You can start puppy obedience training as early as 8 weeks old. At this age, puppies are ready to learn basic commands and good manners, laying a strong foundation for their adult behaviour.
How long does dog obedience training take?
Obedience training is ongoing, but you can expect to see significant progress within a few weeks with consistent practice. Every dog is unique, so be patient and celebrate small wins along the way.
Can older dogs learn obedience training?
It’s true that puppies are easier to train but older dogs can also learn obedience commands and good manners. It might take a bit longer, but with patience and consistency, they’ll get there.
What are some common mistakes in obedience training for dogs?
Common mistakes include inconsistent commands, lack of patience, and training for too long. Keep sessions short, stay consistent, and always end on a positive note.
Do I need special equipment for obedience training?
While you don’t need special equipment, training aids like clickers, treat bags, and leashes can make the process easier and more enjoyable for you and your dog.
