Dog Training Basics: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Training a dog is a big responsibility, so if you are not sure where to start, you've come to the right place. Learn basic dog training best practices for beginners to help you and your dog build confidence, learn new skills, and develop safer habits.

Training your dog is one of the most rewarding aspects of pet ownership. It not only helps in building a strong bond with your furry friend but also ensures their safety and the safety of those around them.

Your dog doesn't need to be a pro or learn every trick under the sun, but basic manners and skills are essential to having a well-behaved, happy, and safe dog.

Whether you're new to dog training or need a refresher, this guide covers everything you need to know, from basic commands to handling more difficult behaviours.

In this blog, you'll learn:

• • Essential tips for effective dog training, avoiding common mistakes, and using must-have training tools.
  • Differences between treat training and clicker training, and which method might work best for your dog.
  • Key commands every puppy should learn and strategies for managing difficult behaviours.
  • Insights on training puppies versus adult dogs and recommendations for training classes tailored to various needs.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of dog training basics, equipped with practical tips and techniques to foster a healthy and trusting bond with your pooch.

Top Dog Training Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know

Whether you are starting with a brand new puppy who is eager to learn or retraining an older pooch who has developed some bad habits over the years, the key to successful dog training is consistency. 

Dog training doesn't happen overnight, and to ensure that the lessons stick, be prepared to practice them over and over again. Building a consistent training routine, using the same commands and gestures repeatedly, and using positive reinforcement will help your dog learn new habits and behaviours faster and more effectively.

To help get you started, there are some pro dog training tips that every dog owner should know:

1. Keep Dog Training Sessions Short But Frequent

Short and frequent sessions are more effective than long, drawn-out ones. Aim for 5-10 minutes of training at a time to maintain your dog's attention and avoid frustration.

2. A Win is a Win No Matter How Small

Positive reinforcement, with rewards such as treats, praise, or playtime, works wonders to encourage desired behaviours and responses. Remember, patience and persistence are vital. Training takes time, so celebrate small victories along the way to keep your dog motivated.

Celebrating small achievements keeps your dog motivated and engaged in the training process. This is especially important when learning challenging or multi-step behaviours that can take a lot of time to nail down.

3. Don't Skimp on Socialization

Socialization is another critical aspect of training. Exposing your dog to different environments, people, and other animals will help build their confidence and reduce anxiety.

If all of your dog's training is in the safe bubble of your home, they will struggle to display newly learned behaviours when you are away from home or when strange people or pets are around.

4. Tired Dogs are Easier to Train

Before you start training, it's a good idea to take your dog for a walk, play a game of fetch, or some other form of physical stimulation to help them release excess energy. This will help them maintain focus and not get overstimulated or distracted during training.

5. Recognize Dog Body Language Cues

Learning basic dog body language cues can help you anticipate your dog's reactions and cater their training to their mental state. Recognizing when your dog is excited or nervous can help you adapt your training to keep them on track, comfortable, and safe.

No matter what type of training you're doing, understanding and practicing good dog training habits right from the start can help you and your dog feel more confident and make the whole process more effective.

Common Dog Training Mistakes

There are many different methods of dog training, but no matter what method you choose, there are a few common mistakes that pet owners make that can actually hinder the training process and confuse your dog.

Avoiding these common mistakes can help make your dog's training session more effective and more satisfying.

1. Moving Too Fast

Impatient is the number one barrier for many pet owners. If you move on to the next step as soon as your dog shows signs of improvement might make sense in the moment, but your dog should practice each step repeatedly to ensure they properly associate behaviours with commands and routines. 

It's not uncommon for a dog to nail a trick or behaviour one day, and then the next seem to have forgotten what they are supposed to do. This 1 step forward and 2 steps back pattern can be frustrating for both you and your dog.

2. Give Them Time to React

Another unhelpful habit that pet owners tend to develop is expecting an immediate response to a command. Even dogs that have mastered certain skills may still need a moment to process a command before acting.

Saying sit over and over again may not result in your dog displaying the behaviour any faster. In fact, it can confuse them and delay their training progress.

3. Never Punish

It can be frustrating when your dog doesn't seem to be catching on to your lessons, but you have to remember that they speak a very different language than you. Just because it seems simple to you, doesn't mean your dog is able to easily pick up what you're putting down.

Showing your frustration, yelling, or any other kind of negative reinforcement will not only fail to help your dog learn better, but it can lead to anxiety and fearful behaviours. Punishing your dog will make training less successful and likely delay any progress significantly.

4. Inconsistency

One of the most common mistakes in dog training is inconsistency. Using different commands or allowing certain behaviours sometimes but not others confuses your dog. Be deliberate in the verbal and hand signals you use, and try to create a routine that is easy to follow for both of you to encourage more consistent training.

5. Too Many Distractions

When you are getting started, having too many distractions while training your dog is going to make it difficult for them to keep focused. With time and practice, you can start to slowly introduce new distractions, but it's best to keep the first set of lessons in a quiet, secluded space with just the two of you.

Must-Have Dog Training Tools for Success

Having the right tools is another way to ensure your dog training sessions are successful. Dog training doesn't require a bunch of expensive or fancy gear, but you should invest in a few smaller items that can make training easier.

We asked our friends over at Raintown Dog Training what are the most important tools for successful dog training:

"To effectively train a dog, you need to be more motivating than the distracting world around them. High-value treats are the easiest way to achieve this! Think stinky and squishy, like chopped-up cheese or dried salmon.

A treat pouch is also an important tool when teaching new behaviours. With the snacks in a pouch and your hands-free, your dog will learn to respond to your cues regardless of whether you are holding a bag of treats." - Rhiannon van Lidth de Jeude Roemer KPA-CTP

That's right, the most important tools for training your dog at home are high-value dog treats and a treat pouch. Specific skills, such as potty training and walking will of course require their own training supplies, but treats and treating accessories will still be the foundation of your dog training efforts.

Best Training Treats for Dogs

The best treats for dog training are treats with a strong flavour and odour. High-value dog treats will be more exciting and are more likely to hold your dog's attention. It's a good idea to select a few different high-value treats to keep your dog from getting bored. 

Another tip is to keep your dog's training treats small. The smaller the treat, the more treats you can give without overfeeding. If you can't find treats small enough, break or cut up your dog's favourite treats into more manageable sizes.

Here are some of the most popular choices for dog treat training:

• • Tilted Barn Dog Treats
  • Crumps' Naturals Mini Trainers Freeze Dried Beef Liver
  • Nulo Freestyle Training Treats
  • Stella & Chewy's Crav'n Bac'n Bites
  • Red Barn Protein Puffs

If your dog needs something really mouth-watering to keep your dog's attention, then some human foods can be used. Fish skins, cheese, and raw meat are all common human food ingredients that can be used for training dogs.

Make sure you stick to foods that are dog-safe and natural. While foods like hot dogs are often used for treat training, these types of junk food ingredients aren't great for your dog. Instead, opt for single-ingredient treats like meat or fish.

You may have to try several store-bought or homemade dog treats to find the ones that your dog goes crazy for.

Dog Treat Training Pouches

The other most recommended tool for dog training for beginners is a treat pouch. These handy accessories make treating easier and keep your hands free for visual cues and hand signals. 

By having a pouch full of treats, you can carry a larger quantity and variety of snacks and always have them close by for quick rewards and celebrations. 

Take a look at some of our best-selling treat pouches:

• • Canada Pooch Handsfree Treat Pouch
  • Kuma Good Dog Treat Pouch
  • Hurtta Treat Pocket ECO
  • Homes Alive Pets Treat Bag
  • Coachi Pro Train & Treat Bag

Each design will offer different features like divided pouches for separating different treats, additional pockets to store other supplies, belt clips, magnetic closers, carabiners etc. Choose the style that best suits your needs so that the pouch is always easy to access and wear.

Training Clicker

Another common tool for dog training is a clicker. A dog clicker can be used to mark desirable behaviours precisely and can be used in combination with treat training.

This method helps in making the connection between the behaviour and reward clearer, which is especially useful for more complex tricks and behaviours. This training method takes some practice to be effective, but the concept is simple.

After your dog correctly responds to your verbal or visual cue, click the clicker, and then offer a reward. The sharp click noise shortens the response time between the behaviour and the reward, and over time your dog will come to recognize the click as a precursor to a reward.

Our best dog clickers are:

• • Coachi Multi-Clicker
  • Coastal Train Right! Dog Clicker

Many clickers offer different volume options to allow you to choose the volume that your dog responds best to. Young puppies and nervous dogs might initially be frightened of a loud click sound, so starting at a lower volume can help them acclimate to the sharp noise.

Dog Training Tools for Specific Behaviours

Some tools are designed for training certain behaviours. Not every dog owner will need these training supplies, but they are invaluable if you plan to train these specific skills. Below are some common behaviours that you might need to train for and the best tools to help you succeed:

Potty Training

Potty training is most commonly done in younger dogs, but even adult and senior dogs may need a refresher after moving to a new home, recovering from injury, or any other major life changes. Having the right tools will not only make potty training your dog less messy, but it will also make it much more clear to your dog where they should and shouldn't relieve themselves. 

Here are a few recommended potty training tools:

• • • Pee Pads
    • Potty Training Bell
    • Dog Stain and Odour Eliminator

For more tips on teaching your dog better bathroom habits, check out our Top Potty Training Tips for Dogs.

Loose Leash Walking

Teaching a dog good walking manners is important at any age. Dogs that pull can injure themselves or you and can make walking more of a nuisance chore than an enjoyable adventure. When your dog learns to trust you and allows you to lead, your walking adventures are going to be safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Try some of these dog training tools to help you start teaching loose-leash walking:

• • • No-Pull Dog Harness
    • Front Clip Dog Harness
    • Head Halter

Check How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on Leash for more tips on training good walking habits.

Dog Recall Training

One of the more advanced skills to train is recall. This is the ability to call your dog and have them return to you, even from a distance. This is challenging for most dogs because this skill is most often used in distracting environments where other people or pets may be running free.

To make recall training easier and safer, try starting with a recall or training lead, like the Coachi Training Line. This extra-long lead comes in 5m or 10m lengths to help your dog practice recall at longer lengths than a standard leash allows.

Learn more about building a strong recall and keeping your dog safe when off-leash in Recall Training for Dogs.

No matter what type of training you are doing, having the right tools on hand will make the process less stressful and less confusing for both you and your dog.

Dog training supplies and accessories can help your dog connect and understand the lessons more easily and make the experience more rewarding and efficient. If you are not sure what supplies you'll need, check out our full selection of Dog Training and Behaviours Supplies.

Best Dog Training Methods

There are several different dog training styles and methods that are popular, but some methods may not be right for every dog. You should always choose a training style that is best suited to your and your dog's comfort level. 

Advanced training styles, like mirror training and dominance training, are sometimes praised by more experienced trainers, but for most pet owners, these methods can be complex and potentially dangerous when not properly executed.

That's why we recommend safer and simpler styles that follow force-free and positive reinforcement dog training methods.

Here are two of the most common dog training methods for beginners:

1. How to Treat Train Your Dog

Treat training your dog is a type of positive reinforcement training. You give a command, and if your dog displays the correct behaviour, you reward them. With treat training, the reward is a tasty snack. This popular technique helps to reinforce the bond between the pet and the owner.

Additionally, treat training your dog can help to associate behaviours and situations with positive feelings. This type of associative learning can make new experiences and routines seem less intimidating, especially for puppies and nervous dogs.

The key to treat training is to respond quickly. Once you've asked for a behaviour or action, be ready to offer the reward quickly to ensure that your dog connects the action with the treat.

Though the concept is simple, there are some techniques in dog treat training that can make the method more effective. 

• • Timing is key. Make sure you are prepared to reward quickly after the requested behaviour is given. Tools like a dog treat pouch make it easy for you to keep tasty rewards at arm's length.
  • Repeat often. Dogs learn best by repetition, so even after your dog has mastered the trick or behaviour, keep practicing.
  • Be Consistent. Using the same vocal commands, hand motions, and even tone when training can help your dog learn faster. Inconsistencies can confuse your dog, making it harder for him to recognize what you are asking of him.
  • Too many treats can be a problem. While treat training is effective, it must be factored into your dog's diet. The extra calories and nutrients from treats can lead to overfeeding, unwanted weight gain, and encourage poor mealtime habits.
  • Be cautious of treat addiction. Some dogs become treat-obsessed and may refuse to comply with routines and commands without the promise of an edible reward. This can lead to behavioural issues.

Treat training is an excellent tool for training your new dog, but should not rely on it too heavily. Once your dog has mastered a command, start to find non-treat ways to reward them. Clicker training, vocal praise, or a loving scratch on the neck are some of the ways you can reward your dog without the use of food.

2. How to Clicker Train Your Dog

Have you ever heard of clicker training? Commonly used alongside treat training, clicker training helps to indicate to your dog that they have succeeded immediately after they act. You ask for a behaviour, and when your dog correctly responds, click immediately and then give them a treat or some kind of praise.

Clickers are effective because they provide a fast and unmistakable sound that your dog can learn to recognize as a sign of good behaviour. Unlike vocal praise that's often received differently depending on tone and situation, the click will be a consistent sound to tell your dog, good "job!"

It's a small hand-held device with a single button that produces a loud sharp click. They easily fit in the palm of your hand and can be stored in a pocket or treat pouch when not in use.

The best way to introduce a clicker is to follow the click sound with a treat. Do this 10-20 times until your dog recognizes the sound and anticipates the reward.

If you want to phase out treat training, you can eventually replace treats with another reward, like vocal praise or a toy, if you wish to wean your dog off of treats, but food is often the most effective reward.

Here are a few clicker training tips to help get you started:

• • The clicker is not a remote: Using the clicker to get your dog's attention or ask for an action is going to confuse them and undermine your training efforts. Clicking before the action is more like a bribe than a reward and will not be an effective training technique.
  • Click quickly: Timing is key when it comes to clicker training your dog. The maximize the effect, try to click during the behaviour if you can, or at least immediately after the behaviour. A treat or other reward can come after the click.
  • Click only once. Multiple clicks will not enhance the enthusiasm for the reward. Click once then reward. The reward and your praise should be what makes the experience exciting.
  • Reward good behaviours, even when you didn't ask: You may find that some tricks and behaviours will become a normal part of your dog's day. Sitting while waiting for meals or asking to the bathroom will eventually become instinctual. Keep your clicker close and try to click and reward for appropriate responses, even when you didn't ask for a specific action.
  • Clickers aren't forever: Using a clicker to train behaviours is effective, but eventually, your dog should respond to frequently used commands without needing a reward. You can continue to offer verbal praise, but a physical reward shouldn't be needed forever for basic commands and behaviours.

The Most Important Commands to Teach a Puppy

The earlier you begin training a new puppy the better. At a young age, dogs are like little fuzzy sponges for learning, and almost every activity is a new and exciting experience for them. This makes them very receptive to basic lessons, like tricks and daily behaviours.

Learn about some of the most important steps to training a puppy:

Socialization

There are many things they will need to learn, like proper potty training, how to walk on a leash, and simple commands like sit or stay, but the #1 most important part of training a puppy comes down to socialization. 

Rhiannon from Raintown Dog Training says, "When it comes to puppy training, the priority is socialization. A dog’s first few months of life should include plenty of positive interactions with new people, dogs, places, and experiences! You can teach a dog to sit at any age, but you cannot re-socialize an adult dog."

Good puppy socialization at a young age will help to desensitize your puppy to distractions, teach them safe and appropriate ways to introduce themselves and take away some of the fear or anxiety that comes with trying something new.

Basic Commands

Some of the first commands you should train your puppy are "sit", "come", and "leave it". Not only are these simpler commands to learn, but they are the top three commands you can use to keep your puppy safe in a new environment. 

Sit

Teaching "sit" is a great way to help your puppy learn patience, but is also a great behaviour to train for meeting new people or pets. Teaching your puppy to sit can help to keep them safe and quell some over-enthusiastic behaviours when in public.

Teach them to sit before being fed, leaving the house, crossing the street, and greeting people will reduce unwanted behaviours like jumping or bolting.

Come

The "come" command is another important one. Though excellent recall skills take time, the earlier you start, the better your dog's off-leash behaviour will be, even in open, crowded, or distracting places. This can be a lifesaver in an unexpected situation.

Leave It

Lastly is the "leave it" command. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and just like human children, they will put just about anything that fits, into their mouths. Teaching "leave it" can ensure that your puppy doesn't eat anything dangerous, and can improve their sharing and playing skills with other pets.

Other types of puppy training, like potty training, crate training, and good walking manners are also important and often intersect with the above tips. Starting with a good foundation of basic skills can make all other training easier.

Training your puppy from a young age will create a strong and trusting bond that will grow as they do, and lead to a better dog and owner relationship.

Training a Puppy vs Training an Adult Dog

Training a puppy differs significantly from training an adult dog. Puppies are more impressionable and can learn new behaviours quickly. Early socialization and basic commands are crucial during this stage.

However, puppies have shorter attention spans and require frequent, short training sessions. Overtraining can lead to frustration and acting out from your puppy.

In contrast, adult dogs may have ingrained behaviours that take more time to modify. Patience and consistent training are essential. While it can be more challenging, old dogs can, in fact, learn new tricks, so don't give up on them.

Working with a dog trainer is a great option if you aren't making much progress training at home. Remember that dog training is not just about training your dog to listen to you, but also to train yourself to be a better leader and companion to them.

Difficult Dog Behaviours to Train For

Some dog behaviours require extra attention and patience. Aggressive and destructive habits in dogs are either learned or fearful responses which can be more challenging to train for. 

The goal with most unwanted dog behaviours is not necessarily to show them that a behaviour is bad, but instead to teach them a safer and more appropriate behaviour to replace it.

Here are some of the most common unwanted dog behaviours to train for:

• • Nipping - Though most common in puppies, dogs of any age can nip. It can sometimes be a reaction to overstimulation during play, but it can also be an inappropriate way for your dog to express frustration or stress.
  • Resource Guarding - Dogs that are not fond of sharing food, toys, beds, or even people can become aggressive when they feel that their favourite "thing" could be taken away. 
  • Leash Aggression - Often due to poor socialization at a young age, leash aggression is the term for dogs that show aggression towards other animals or people when they are on leash. They could be a social butterfly off-leash, but the instinct to protect or the feeling of being trapped can completely change their demeanour on a walk.
  • Separation Anxiety - Some dogs hate being left alone. Separation anxiety or the fear of being left alone is often common in very dependent or clingy dogs. It can lead to a variety of unwanted behaviours like barking, destructive chewing, and overgrooming.

All of these issues can be solved with proper training and strict routines. Behaviours that stem from fear require positive reinforcement training and plenty of desensitization to help your dog build confidence. This can take a long time and lots of practice. 

Nuisance behaviours caused by boredom or overstimulation are usually best treated by redirecting bad behaviours towards positive ones and reinforcing those good behaviours with praise, treats, or toys. 

In the early stages, and at younger ages, many unwanted or nuisance dog behaviours can be trained out relatively easily, but they will take time and patience.

In more extreme cases and behaviours, we encourage you to work with a certified dog trainer. They will teach both you and your dog how to build better habits safely and appropriately.

Recommended Dog Training Classes

Though dog training classes aren't required to train your dog, some classes are a great opportunity to learn some new skills, understand your dog's behaviour, and socialize your pet. There are plenty of options for dog training classes and one-on-one sessions with a local dog trainer. 

Make sure you choose the course, trainer, or service that best suits your pet's needs and abilities. 

Puppy Basics

For puppies, puppy kindergarten or puppy basics classes are ideal for learning basic commands and socialization. These courses typically allow your puppy to learn in a more dynamic environment, learn to stay focused with distractions, and give you a better understanding of how your puppy learns. 

This type of training course is a group class for younger dogs that goes over basic skills that every puppy needs to learn, like good leash skills, basic commands, object and sound desensitization, and more beginner skills. These classes are excellent for building confidence in puppies.

Some trainers offer more specific private sessions for puppy issues like house training, nipping, or other nuisance behaviours that you are having trouble training at home.

Basic Dog Manners

Basic Obedience classes focus on essential commands and good manners for all dogs. This can include basic recall skills, safe greetings, and more complex commands and behaviours. These classes are usually geared towards older puppies and adults who have been socialized.

Advanced Obedience Training

Dogs who have mastered basic commands and are ready for more complex training are better suited to an advanced course. These types of courses can cover skills like emergency recall, pattern recognition, and safe greeting in public. Basic manner courses are often a prerequisite to these level 2 classes and are designed to build upon already learned skills.

Behavioural Training

Specific issues like aggression or anxiety are not suited to group classes, so reach out to your trainer to ask about private training sessions. These sessions will specifically focus on identifying issues, triggers, desensitization, and safe and consistent routines to help your dog build confidence and replace unsafe habits and reactions with more appropriate ones.

One Paw in Front of The Other

Dog training is a broad term, but no matter what type or method of dog training or how old or skilled your dog is, the trick to being successful is always going to be patience and consistency.

This blog should give you some good first steps to kick start your dog training journey, like:

• • How to choose a safe and effective dog training method that suits your dog's needs and abilities.
  • Best practices and tips for dog training, like basic commands and desirable behaviours.
  • Common dog training mistakes that can confuse your pup and slow training progress.
  • Understanding difficult dog behaviours and unsafe habits.
  • Popular dog and puppy training courses to help you and your dog learn basic skills and build healthy routines.

Just remember to take your time and be consistent. Every dog is different, and so is the way that they learn. Don't get discouraged if your dog is not progressing as fast as you expected.

If you stick to a consistent routine, offer them a safe and enriching environment to train in, and provide appropriate rewards and praise, your dog will learn good manners and basic commands. Most importantly, have fun and happy training!

Dog Training FAQs

How long does it take to train a puppy?

Training a puppy varies based on the dog and consistency. Basic commands can take a few weeks to really nail down, while more complex behaviours may take several months.

What are the easiest dogs to train?

Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, and Poodles are known for their trainability and responsiveness to commands, but any dog breed can learn if you take the time to properly train them.

Can I train my dog at home?

Yes, many dogs can be effectively trained at home with consistency, patience, and the right techniques. Even if you choose to enroll in classes, your dog's training should still continue at home.

What are the benefits of dog socialization training?

Socialization training helps dogs become well-adjusted, reduces fear and aggression, and promotes positive interactions with people and other animals.

What are the essential training tips for first-time dog owners? 

First-time dog owners should focus on basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and come, socializing their dog, and establishing a consistent routine for feeding, exercise, and potty breaks.

What's the key to teaching my dog good behaviour and manners? 

Consistency, positive reinforcement, and clear communication are essential for teaching your dog good behaviour and manners. Consider enrolling in a basic obedience class for guidance.