Dog Training For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Providing your dog with at least some training is the best and most loving thing you can do for him. Training your dog ensures that he’s safe and welcome everywhere he goes and that he’s easy to live with. When beginning obedience training, you need to keep in mind a few dos and don’ts, and you should start with a few basic exercises, including sitting and laying down on command. Training him to respond to the Come and Sit-Stay commands also is extremely helpful.

Reviewing the dos and don’ts of dog training

Yes, dog training is based on common sense. However, you do need to keep in mind a few specific guidelines — the do’s and don’ts — to make sure that you’re successful and fostering a healthy relationship with your dog. The following sections are here to help get you started.

Dos

• Do be nice to your dog every time they come to you (even if they’re just coming back from an unexpected romp around the neighborhood).

• Do get into the habit of giving a command only once. If your dog doesn’t respond to a command that you already taught them, reinforce the command by helping them respond correctly.

• Do use your dog’s name to get their attention and then tell them what you want them to do.

• Do eliminate the word no from your training vocabulary; it’s used too often and therefore meaningless.

• Do use a normal tone of voice when you give a command. Being loud doesn’t help Buddy understand.

• Do be consistent in your actions and expectations.

• Do provide an outlet for your dog’s energies.

• Do keep your dog mentally stimulated by training them.

• Do understand that your dog is a social animal. Train them so they can be a part of the family.

• Do socialize your dog with people and other dogs.

• Do become your dog’s teacher.

• Do make learning fun for your dog.

• Do consistently reward with praise for the correct behaviors.

• Do spend plenty of time with your dog and give them lots of exercise.

• Do keep trying, and your dog will reward you by learning.

• Do get outside help if you get stuck.

Donts

• Don’t do anything your dog perceives as unpleasant when they come to you.

• Don’t nag your dog by repeating commands; nagging teaches your dog to ignore you.

• Don’t use your dog’s name and then expect them to read your mind as to what you want. Follow their name with a command.

• Don’t expect your dog to know what the word no means.  

• Don’t yell at your dog. They’re not deaf. Raising your voice doesn’t improve their understanding.

• Don’t confuse your dog by having unrealistic expectations.

• Don’t try to suppress behaviors that need an outlet.

• Don’t let your dog stagnate.

• Don’t lock up your dog or put them out because you haven’t trained them to behave.

• Don’t isolate your dog — they are a social animal.

• Don’t expect your dog to obey a command you haven’t taught them.

• Don’t get too serious in your training; keep things fun.

• Don’t reward undesired behaviors.

• Don’t make your dog neurotic by neglecting them.

• Don’t give up when the going gets tough; keep trying.

• Don’t blame the dog; you are their teacher.

How to control your dog with the Sit and Down commands

When you think of dog training or obedience, the first two commands that probably pop into your head are the Sit and the Down commands. These commands are essential to making a well-behaved dog. Practice a 30-minute Down and a 10-minute Sit, on alternate days, for four weeks. See the following sections for details.

Sit on command

The following steps show you one way of teaching your dog the Sit command. Start off teaching Buddy what to do by using a treat and then add the command. Here’s how to do it:

Down on command

When you’re ready to teach your dog the Down command, one way of teaching them to lie down is with a treat, and then you introduce pressure on their collar as you command. Here’s what to do:

Using the Recall Game to get your dog to come when called

If you’re interested in training your dog to come to you when they’re called, one way to teach them is to play the Recall Game. This training game is played with two people, one hungry dog, a 6-foot leash, and plenty of small treats. Practice the Recall Game on and off leash inside, on and off leash outside in a confined area, and then ultimately on and off leash with distractions when your dog is ready. Be sure you can touch your dog’s collar every time they come to you and before you give them a treat.

Here are the steps to follow when playing the Recall Game:

1. Find a partner and sit on the floor 6 feet apart, facing each other, and ask your partner to gently restrain the dog while you hold the handle of the leash.
2. ‍Call your dog by saying, “Buddy, Come,” and use the leash to guide them to you as your partner lets go of them.
3. ‍When Buddy comes to you, put your finger through their collar, give them a treat, and praise them enthusiastically.
4. ‍Hold onto Buddy’s collar and pass the handle of the leash to your partner, who says, “Buddy, Come,” guides the dog in, put your finger through the collar, gives them a treat, and praises the dog.

Work through these steps until your dog responds on their own to being called and no longer needs to be guided to you with the leash. At that point, you can start increasing the distance between you and your partner (up to 12 feet). You also can begin playing the game from room to room in your house. Make sure Buddy responds well inside before you take this game outside. Each time you change location, start the Recall Game on leash — get the correct response before taking the leash off.  If Buddy doesn’t respond, go back and put them on leash.

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