There’s no bad time to try to teach your dog obedience, whether you welcomed a new dog into your family over the holiday, or you’re simply looking for ways to help your dog be more well-behaved. With this month being National Train Your Dog Month, let’s dive in to the best DIY basic dog training resources!
DIY Basic Dog Training Resources
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If your dog is having trouble house training…
…make sure they have the tools they need to do it! When you’re away from the house, leave your dog in a specific area with floors that are easy to clean in case of an accident. As for when you are home, it’s important to use repeated language to allow your dog to recognize when it’s time for a potty break. Repeating the same phrase regularly, such as, “Let’s go potty!,” will let your dog know it’s time. With your dog on a leash, take him outside to the area he should use. Continue to repeat your instruction phrase until he goes to the bathroom. Be sure to praise your dog and offer a small treat! Knowing that he’ll get a treat for using the bathroom in this spot will make them want to repeat the action.
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If your dog is barking too much…
…be sure not to respond with yelling! Your pet may think you’re joining in the noisy fun. Instead, keep quiet and try to get your pet away from the cause of the barking. If he sees someone outside, close the blinds or move your dog to another area of the house. If he’s in the yard, bring him inside. Next step: ignore the barking. By not talking to or petting your dog, he’ll understand that the barking won’t bring him attention! You can go into the next room if that’s easiest for you. When he does stop, reward him with a treat to let him know that being quiet will be rewarded! Work up to longer periods of quiet for continued success.
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If your dog is biting…
…he may just think it is playtime! Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, there’s a chance that they simply haven’t been taught how to be gentle. However it’s important to teach them, as puppy nibbles hurt much less than an adult’s bite! While you play with your pup, let him bite your hands as he normally would. However the moment he bites harder than you’re okay with, shout out as if you’re hurt. This will likely startle your dog, imitating how dogs learn to bite each other gently and playfully. Resume this process a few times and he should start to get the point! Another option: leave the room. When your pet bites you too hard, you can react with an “attention time-out” where he no longer has playtime. This can be useful if you struggle to ignore your pet face-to-face!
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If your dog struggles to walk on a leash…
…start from the beginning! Teach your dog what it feels like to have a leash on by letting them run around inside or in a fenced-in yard with the leash clipped on. After they have a chance to see how it feels, you can jump in and grab the leash. If your dog is distracted easily, you shouldn’t pull to get them back on track! Either drop the leash and come back or change activities. Whenever you’re ready to start walking, choose a phrase that you use whenever it’s time for a walk, like, “Let’s go!” If your dog starts to pull, stop walking and let him figure out that he’s going too fast. As soon as there’s slack, you can start walking again while repeating the command. When your dog is doing a good job walking, slip them a treat to let them know how well they’re doing! Treats, pets and praise go a long way.
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If your dog needs to learn basic commands…
…repetition is key! If you want to teach your pet to sit, hold a treat close to his nose, move your hand over his head until he tilts his head back to follow it, and sits. Once he’s in sitting position, repeat the “Sit” command, and give him the treat! Doing this a few set times a day will help your dog come to expect it, therefore learning the lesson. For the “Come” command, it’s even easier: put his leash on, crouch to his level and say “come” while gently pulling on the leash! Once he gets to you, you can hand over a treat and give a good pat on the head.
Feeling more confident? We hope so! Treats, positive affirmation and repetition are key when it comes to training your pet. With these DIY basic dog training resources on hand, you’ll have an obedient pet in no time. If you work during the day and you need assistance with reinforcing any dog training including potty training, hiring a professional dog walker can be a big help for you and your dog.
Do you have any special tricks you’ve used to train your dog or other must have DIY basic dog training resources? Let us know in the comments!