How to Train a Dog? Beginner Dog Training Tips

After proper dog training, a dog can be fully capable of relieving itself at designated spots, responding to basic commands, staying quiet, not jumping on strangers, getting along well with other dogs, and playing happily with children. Let’s take a look at how to train such a well-behaved dog.

1. Dog Training For Being Alone

We all know how difficult it is to send a child to kindergarten on the first day—they cry and scream, unwilling to be separated from their parents. This is a common emotional issue in preschoolers known as “separation anxiety disorder,” which, as the name suggests, is anxiety caused by separation. Many animals experience the same, especially dogs that are dependent on their owners.

Many owners spoil their pets, and the dog feels it can receive attention and rewards from its owner at any time. Once separated, it may bark non-stop or even become destructive. Since we often need to leave our dogs at home due to work, we might wonder: what happens when our dogs are left alone?

Studies show that many dogs feel extremely lonely and anxious when left alone. They may bark, cry, feel depressed, chew on furniture or their beds, and become visibly excited and trembling when their owners return. These signs suggest severe separation anxiety. To avoid this, dogs must be trained to be comfortable alone.

a. Limit Time Spent Together

First, you must control the amount of time spent together. Don’t stick together 24/7. Even if you constantly want to play with your puppy, you must understand that you won’t always be available—you have to go to school, work, travel, or take vacations. For puppies, separation is more difficult. As they grow, around 8 months old or near adulthood, their emotions will stabilize significantly.

b. Help Build Your Dog’s Confidence

Second, help your dog build confidence. Gradually extend the time apart, starting from 10 minutes to one or two hours. The dog will slowly get used to your absence, or learn that you’re still somewhere in the house even if not in the same room, and will patiently wait for your return.

c. Ease Separation Anxiety

If your dog seems upset, that’s a normal emotional reaction. Provide toys for solo play. As long as it gets through that initial period, the separation anxiety will visibly ease. You can then leave your dog in one room while you work in another, helping avoid over-dependence.

d. Avoid Greeting or Departing with Too Much Attention

Lastly, when leaving or coming home, don’t immediately seek out your dog. Let your dog become accustomed to your comings and goings as ordinary events—not moments of dramatic farewell. Making a big deal out of departures only highlights the sense of separation. If one day you’re reading on the couch and your dog comes to play but you ignore or decline, and it goes off to happily play by itself, that shows your dog is confident and emotionally healthy.

2. Dog Training for Attention Span

When we think about dog training, we often imagine a scene where the owner gives the command “Sit,” and the dog obediently transitions from standing to sitting. In fact, regardless of the type of dog training, the first step is always to get the dog to focus. This is extremely important and should be trained separately, not mixed in with other types of training.

The simplest way to attract a dog’s attention is with food.

a. Command Tone Training

For example, hold a strip of meat in your hand and wave it in front of the dog. Once it smells the food and its eyes follow your hand, you should adjust your tone—use a serious and firm voice to give the command: “Focus!”

At this point, the dog will likely still be staring at your hand. You can then give it a small piece of the treat. After eating, the dog will notice you still have more and may look into your eyes to read your expression.

When you repeat “Focus!”—if the dog keeps its eyes on your hand, you should gently stroke it as a sign of approval and then give it another piece of meat.

This kind of dog training doesn’t take long. Practice once or twice a day, for 10 minutes each time, until the dog will stare at your hand even when it’s empty just by hearing “Focus!” At that point, you can proceed to the next stage of dog training.

b. Reinforcing the Command Tone

In the next step, you’ll vary the hand position. Raise your hand higher and point to your mouth, face, or eyes, while keeping the command “Focus!” unchanged.

When your dog learns to stare at your mouth or eyes upon hearing the command, reward it by giving the meat from your mouth.

If you’re walking and your dog is distracted and tries to run ahead, give a sharp tug on the leash and loudly shout the command “Focus!”

If your dog stops and looks into your eyes for 3 to 5 seconds, the dog training has been successful. Of course, you should reward it again—with petting or food.

It’s important to emphasize: all dog training should be serious, but it should never make the dog afraid of you.

3. Dog Training for Potty Habits

Urinating or defecating anywhere is a very uncivilized behavior. Dogs that haven’t been trained to relieve themselves in designated areas can easily become unwelcome. It’s said that many dogs are abandoned each year simply because they can’t learn to go to the bathroom in the right place. That’s clearly an excuse. If you truly love the dog you’ve raised with great effort, you will try your best to teach it proper potty habits instead of giving up on it.

This kind of dog training is not difficult, but many misunderstandings can lead owners down the wrong path.

a. Common Misconceptions About Potty Training Misunderstanding

– Ineffective Communication with the Dog

Some overly affectionate owners scold their dogs with long lectures after they go in the wrong place. In reality, this just confuses the dog—it can’t understand complex human language. If your dog relieves itself in the wrong place, just calmly show it the right place instead.

– Excessive Punishment

If you put yourself in the dog’s place, no one would like to be punished while using the bathroom. Dogs, even though intelligent, don’t understand why they’re being hit for going to the bathroom. If they associate elimination with punishment, they may start holding it in or even eating their own feces—both are serious issues. If your dog makes a mess in the wrong place, clean it up silently and try again next time.

– Encouraging Dogs to Go Where They Previously Urinated

Dogs are actually very clean animals and dislike wet or dirty environments. Some say that dogs will go again in a place with their own old urine. This might be true if there’s only a small amount left, but if you leave a newspaper soaked with urine there, your dog will find it gross. They also dislike smelly areas due to their sensitive noses. In nature, dogs avoid relieving themselves too close to their den because it attracts predators. So never place the dog’s toilet too close to its bed or crate.

– “My House Is the Dog’s House”

Dogs need a private space, or “den,” not just a place to sleep. Once a dog feels that your entire home is its territory and it can go anywhere freely, it will think “I can go to the bathroom anywhere I like.” Also, if strangers enter the home, the dog may defend its “den” and act aggressively.

b. When Do Dogs Need to Eliminate?

The key to potty dog training is identifying your dog’s pre-elimination behavior.

If your dog has a consistent feeding schedule, its potty times will be regular as well. Common times include right after waking up, about 30 minutes after eating, 15 minutes after drinking water, or after intense play.

If your dog lowers its rear or starts sniffing around in circles, that’s a sign it needs to go. Different breeds may show different signs, so observe closely.

c. Important Notes for Potty Training

• When your dog shows signs of needing to go, take it outside to prevent indoor accidents.
• If using an indoor toilet, don’t place it near your dog’s food or water.
• Yelling at the dog is ineffective—harsh language will only make it afraid of you and hide its behavior, leading it to choose hidden corners to go instead. The more you scold, the worse the problem becomes.

d. Potty Dog Training Method

• Prepare some simple tools: a playpen, pee pads, a dog toilet, or old newspapers.
• Place the dog’s bed and toilet in different corners, and cover the floor with pee pads or newspapers.
• When you’re home, take your dog to the toilet after waking or eating. If it pees, praise it with “Good job!”
• If it pees on the newspaper, keep a piece of the scented paper and place it in the toilet to guide the dog.
• Gradually reduce the newspaper-covered area, placing papers only near the toilet. Encourage the dog to go where its scent is. Reward successful behavior with a treat.
• Once the dog consistently goes in the correct spot, you can begin removing barriers and give it more freedom. Dog training requires consistency and patience. Once the habit is formed, the potty problem will be solved.

4. Teaching Dog to “Sit”

If you observe your dog’s behavior, you’ll notice that many actions such as sitting, lying down, walking, and moving come naturally. However, these basic actions are still included in obedience dog training for one simple reason: although dogs naturally know how to sit, they don’t understand human language. They need to be taught to sit on command and to get up when asked.

Among various types of dog training, “sit” is one of the most fundamental. If an owner wants to improve a dog’s obedience, the dog must learn to sit promptly upon hearing the command “Sit.”

a. Training Method with Rewards

Use treats to grab the dog’s attention. Once the dog is focused on the treat, slowly move it over its head. As the dog raises its neck to follow the treat, it will naturally shift its weight to the back legs and sit down—this is your chance to guide the behavior. Once it successfully sits, immediately reward the dog with a treat and verbal praise.

If the dog doesn’t sit, don’t worry. You can further guide it. Continue to use the treat to entice the dog. If it still doesn’t understand the command, use one hand to gently pull up on its collar and the other hand to press lightly on its lower back to help it sit.

Once the dog reliably responds to the basic “Sit” command, you can increase the difficulty—for example, giving the command from a distance.

5. Dog Training for “Lie Down” Command

Once your dog has learned to “Sit,” teaching “Lie Down” won’t be too difficult, but guidance with treats is still key.

a. Training Method:

First, ask your dog to sit. Then, squat in front of your dog and move a treat from in front of its eyes downward. As the treat approaches the floor, the dog’s posture will naturally change to lying down. Just as your dog begins to lower its body, give the command “Lie Down!” When the dog fully lies down and completes the action, reward it with the treat.

If the dog doesn’t lie down, you can gently pull down with the leash to help it. If that still doesn’t work, you may use a slightly more forceful method by slowly pressing down on the dog’s neck with your hand—be sure to control your strength. As long as the dog completes the action, give it a reward!

b. Important Points During Training:

① Do not train “Sit” and “Lie Down” together in one session. Smart dogs may associate the two commands and develop the bad habit of automatically sitting after lying down, or vice versa.
② If the dog’s hind legs are slanted after lying down, the owner should correct the posture in time and help the dog assume the correct position.

6. Dog Training for “Jump!” Command

“Jump!” is considered a relatively intense activity for dogs. Before training, make sure your dog is suitable for this exercise. Small and delicate breeds like Chihuahuas or Pomeranians are generally not suited for jumping training. Breeds like Boston Terriers, which are strong and have well-developed leg muscles, are well-suited for jumping practice.

Forcing dogs that aren’t fit for jumping to train may exceed their physical limits and lead to sprains, fractures, and other injuries. For dogs that are naturally good at jumping, “Jump!” training is not difficult. However, no dog training yields results overnight—jumping training also takes time for the dog to respond reliably to commands.

a. Training Method:

Start with a low obstacle. The owner and the dog jump over it together while giving the command “Jump!” Since the obstacle is low, it’s easy to get across.

Then, instruct your dog to stand on one side of the obstacle while you stand on the other. Call the dog to come, and just as it prepares to jump over, give the “Jump!” command. After several repetitions, the dog will learn the command.

Of course, each time your dog successfully jumps, remember to reward it promptly. Gradually increase the obstacle height. When the height makes it hard for the dog to jump over, it might try to bypass the obstacle instead. In that case, firmly say “No,” and bring the dog back to its original position to try again.

In addition to demonstrating yourself, you can also use balls or treats for in-place jump training. Choose the method your dog prefers.

Besides high jumps, you can also train for long jumps. A ditch or a wooden board can be great training tools. Regardless of the training mode, don’t rush—train within your dog’s ability and progress step by step. That’s the key to success.

7. Dog Training for “Fetch the Newspaper”

If the owner has the habit of reading newspapers, they can train their dog to fetch the newspaper when they’re about to read it. If the dog is smart enough, the owner can enjoy this kind of “service” in no time.

a. Training Method:

To teach your dog this skill, give the “Fetch the newspaper” command when the newspaper arrives in the morning. At first, your dog might not understand what you’re saying and may look confused. In this case, help your dog become familiar with the concept of “newspaper.” You can take your dog to the yard, toss the newspaper on the ground, then pick it up while saying “newspaper” to the dog. Pat your dog as a way to show affirmation and reward.

Next, open your dog’s mouth and let it bite the newspaper. Immediately reward the dog and gently pat its head while saying “Good, good.” Then bring the dog back into the house, take the newspaper from its mouth, and again pat the dog and smile while saying “Very good.”
Repeat this process three to five times, and your dog will understand what you’re trying to teach. After a few days of training, try saying “Fetch the newspaper,” and your dog will immediately bring the newspaper to you, waiting for praise.

Giving the “Fetch the newspaper” command before heading out in the morning and having your dog actually bring it to you is quite an enjoyable experience. This kind of dog training is especially suitable for small dogs raised indoors. Owners interested in this can give it a try.

b. Important Note:

If you want your dog to successfully complete this training, timely and appropriate praise is essential. It helps the dog learn and master this new skill more quickly and effectively. However, if your newspaper is placed in a mailbox or somewhere difficult for the dog to reach, don’t push your dog too hard. In that case, the owner will have to get the paper themselves!

8. Dog Training for Car Rides

In daily life, it’s inevitable that owners will take their dogs along for outings, shopping trips, or vacations. To ensure your dog behaves well in the car, you need to spend a bit of effort training them properly. Once your dog gets used to riding in the car, it’ll make trips much more enjoyable for you, too.

Dogs tend to be active. If they can’t help but stick their head out of the window while the car is moving, it can be dangerous. For safety, it’s essential to train your dog to sit quietly while riding in the car.

a. Training Notes:

To get your dog to ride in a car, first help it overcome any fear or anxiety. A family member sitting in the back should provide comfort by petting the dog’s head or holding it more often, helping it calm down quickly. Try to train your dog from a young age to lie quietly in the back seat. That way, it won’t feel scared during car rides as it grows older.

At the beginning, choose short-distance destinations like parks or local markets to train your dog. Gradually increase the ride length to help your dog adapt step by step. Over time, it will become a natural habit for your dog to ride comfortably.

b. Training Method:

Before getting into the car, lead your dog to the door on the side it will enter and give the command “Wait.” Then the owner gets into the driver’s seat, opens the dog’s door, and gives the command “Come.” Once the dog gets into the car, issue another command like “Sit” or “Lie down.”

For the first few car rides, avoid opening the windows. Once the dog adapts to the car environment, try slightly rolling down the window. If the dog sticks its head out, stop it immediately. With enough regular dog training, this should be easy to manage.

If you’re busy, your dog might even help watch over the car—saving you some effort. When you reach your destination, park the car, get out, open the door for your dog, and say “Get out.” At this point, the car ride dog training is successfully completed.

In fact, car dog training is relatively simple. As long as the dog lies quietly inside the vehicle and doesn’t bark or move around too much, it ensures a safe and civil ride.

Additional Tips:
Before taking your dog on a trip, try to reduce its food and water intake to avoid carsickness or vomiting. Also, try walking your dog beforehand so it can relieve itself before getting in the car.

9. Dog Training to Prevent Random Eating

For dog owners, one of the biggest worries is that their dog might eat something dirty or poisonous when outside. However, dogs are naturally gluttonous and cannot distinguish between clean and unclean food. So how can we prevent this kind of tragedy from happening?

Before training, the owner must first understand that a dog’s eating etiquette cannot be developed overnight. From the time the dog is a puppy, we should consciously help it form behavioral patterns, such as: only eating from its bowl, not eating food outside the bowl, not wasting food, and not accepting food from anyone other than the owner.

When feeding the dog, do not throw the food on the ground. Instead, place it in a bowl or feed it by hand. Never let it develop the habit of picking up food from the ground. If you want to train your dog not to eat randomly—including not picking up food outside and not eating food from strangers—you need to go through training. The owner must not go soft during training, and the training must be consistent in every action.

a. Do Not Throw Food on the Ground

If food falls on the ground, the dog is not allowed to pick it up. If the dog is fast and has already taken it into its mouth, you must say “No!” and open its mouth to take it out or make it spit it out. If it spits it out, you must praise it.
A dog’s eating etiquette depends on the owner’s teaching. If you don’t stop it in time, you’ll regret it when the dog gets diarrhea or gastritis.

b. Do Not Allow Scavenging

Prepare several spots with food in obvious places. When walking near them, if the dog shows signs of being attracted, immediately use verbal commands to stop it. If needed, use the leash to pull it back. If the dog listens to the command, give verbal praise.
Change locations and repeat the dog training. The dog will gradually understand that it must not scavenge without a command.
Just setting food in advance is not enough. This kind of dog training should be done anytime, anywhere.
If you discover your dog scavenging, you can apply chili oil or unpleasant substances on those items—this is a small trick to prevent random eating.

c. Do Not Accept Food from Strangers

When going out, you can use a leash. If it eats food from someone else, the owner must show disappointment and indifference.
If someone tries to feed the dog, call its name loudly and gently tap its mouth.

d. Teach the Dog to Wait

As a dog owner, you must have “authority” in the relationship between human and dog. If you ask the dog to wait before eating, it must obey.
Put the bowl in front of the dog. When it tries to eat, cover the bowl with your hand and say “Wait,” or move the bowl away and gently tap the dog’s nose.
Once the dog shows patience, return the bowl and say “Eat!”
This training must be repeated. Gradually increase the waiting time until the dog understands the “Eat!” command.

e. Abnormal Eating Behavior

Dogs are naturally gluttonous and curious, and sometimes their inclination to eat random things can lead to serious health problems. As a dog owner, it’s important to cultivate good eating habits from an early age and to not tolerate inappropriate behaviors. Persistence and consistency are key to raising a well-mannered dog.

If your dog continues to bite or sniff random things despite your efforts to stop it, you may want to consider if there’s a nutritional deficiency in its diet. In some cases, this behavior may indicate that the dog is suffering from pica, a condition where the dog craves non-food items. It’s important to observe and analyze the dog’s behavior to understand the root cause.

If the issue stems from nutritional deficiencies, ensure that your dog’s diet is well-balanced and supplement it with necessary nutrients. If it’s a behavioral issue, you can correct it with training methods such as scolding, applying unpleasant substances like chili, or using a water spray. However, when using a water spray, do not let the dog see you using it, as it may associate the action with fear and become anxious around you

10. Leash Training and Walking the Dog

a. The Importance of Walking Your Dog for Physical and Mental Well-being

Walking your dog is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner, especially for large, energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s crucial to consider the exercise requirements of different breeds before getting a dog. Some families may need all members to participate in the dog’s outdoor activities just to meet their exercise needs.

To prevent your dog from running away or getting lost and to maintain public etiquette, always use a leash and muzzle when walking your dog. If your dog is accustomed to urinating and defecating outdoors, don’t forget to bring newspapers and plastic bags for cleanup—this is an important responsibility as a “poop collector.”

For dogs, going out is not only enjoyable but also mentally stimulating. You may notice them sniffing around and stopping frequently, but this isn’t just curiosity—it’s their way of releasing stress and using up energy. Some dogs are trained to relieve themselves indoors and become overly excited when they get the chance to go outside. For those that rarely get outside, they may become overly alert, so it’s good to encourage them to explore unfamiliar paths and listen to the various traffic sounds.

b. Keep in mind when walking your dog:

1. Leash Training for Puppies: When your dog is 80–90 days old and has adjusted to wearing a collar and leash, you can begin basic leash training. Keep the first training session short—no more than 5 minutes.
2. Walk Frequency vs. Duration: It’s better to walk your dog three times a day for 10 minutes each time than to take one long walk. Regular, shorter walks are more effective.
3. Curiosity and Exploration: Dogs are naturally curious and love exploring new environments. If your dog stops to sniff or runs around, try using new objects to attract its attention and guide it back to you for training. If the dog doesn’t return when called, be patient and use something to lure it back, then put the leash back on and continue training.
4. Gradual Increase in Walk Time: As your dog gets older and more accustomed to leash training, you can gradually increase the walking time. For dogs aged 9–12 months, aim for walks lasting around 45 minutes.

c. What if the dog starts “walking the human” instead?

Leash training can be a challenge because it involves a balance of power and control. You may notice that instead of walking the dog, the dog ends up walking you. The root cause is often a fixed walking routine. If you walk your dog at the same time every day, the dog will become overly sensitive to the timing and may bark or become anxious if you’re late. This anxiety can transfer to you, causing stress for both the dog and owner.

To avoid this, try not to make the walking schedule too predictable. Change the timing, duration, and frequency of walks, and avoid establishing a fixed routine. If the dog starts insisting on going out at a certain time, change it immediately. This prevents the dog from becoming too fixated on a specific routine, and it will not demand walks regardless of the weather or other circumstances.

11. Dog Training for “Walk” and “Stop” Commands

We look with envy at dogs that obey commands promptly, while we feel frustrated with our own dogs that desperately lunge forward, so strong that we can’t even pull them back. Many dog owners try to laugh it off, but they don’t actually understand what this behavior means.

a. Some behaviors of the dog to be aware of during walks

– Power Dynamics Between Owner and Dog

In the dog’s world, it forms a group with its “owner.” Originally, the dog was in a subordinate position, with the owner as the leader, but the reversal of power puts the owner’s role in jeopardy. More seriously, if a dog gets into a fight with another dog, an owner without authority won’t be able to stop it and could even get injured, especially with large, powerful dogs.

– Territory and Aggression

If the daily walking route is fixed, the dog will consider the area around the route as its territory. If a person or dog threatens its position, the dog will actively engage in aggressive behavior. An owner who loses control will also be forced to face the attack.

– Marking Territory and Obedience

We can see dogs urinating on telephone poles or trees to mark their territory. This is a declaration of territory. This behavior should be stopped, not tolerated, as it contradicts the dog’s obedience instinct. The more “powerful” the dog feels, the less obedient it will be. Some owners mistakenly believe that letting the dog follow its natural instincts is good for the dog, not realizing that a dog’s “power” creates great pressure, while obedience keeps it calm.

– The Owner’s Responsibility and Control

In the relationship between owner and pet, the owner should take responsibility and maintain control. Therefore, when walking, owners must keep the leash on and ensure the dog walks beside or behind them. If the dog walks ahead of the owner, the owner should immediately turn in the opposite direction. If the dog tries to rush forward, the owner should pull the leash tightly, and the dog will stop. The dog stops, and the owner also stops. Then, softly call the dog’s name and reward it with a treat, slowly moving forward again. If the dog surpasses the owner’s pace again, make the dog sit, stay calm for a moment, and then continue walking.

b. Training Method:

① Step with your left foot and give the command “walk,” using the left foot to guide the dog’s movement; when stopping, stop your right foot first and say “stop.”

② If the dog is walking on the left side and overtakes the owner, the owner should immediately turn to the right and back to stop the dog’s behavior.

The dog training of walking and stopping uses commands and actions as guidance. Commands should be clear, short, and easy to understand.

12. Dog Training for “Greet for the New Year” Command

Dogs love to stand up because they want to play with their owner. Standing next to their owner makes it easier to get attention. So, once a dog stands, guide its front paws to come together and move up and down. Pair this with the command “Greet for the New Year,” and you’ll see it standing on its hind legs, waving its front paws.

a. Training Method:

First, hold a treat your dog likes. Along with the command “Greet for the New Year,” place the treat about 10 cm in front of the dog’s nose at a 45-degree angle and slowly lift it up to guide the dog to stand.
At first, the dog may only be able to stand for one second, but driven by the treat, its body will stretch longer and become more stable. For balance, it will naturally perform the “Greet for the New Year” movement.

If the front paws are not together, the owner can help bring them together to make a standard greeting gesture. At this moment, immediately encourage the dog with words like “Good” or “Good boy/girl,” and give it the treat as a reward.
Note: Keep the training time short and give rewards promptly. As soon as the movement is correct, offer praise right away. The method for teaching a dog to spin is similar—just use food to draw a circle above the dog’s head.

13. Training Dogs to “Shake Hands”

The owner holds food in one hand and places the other hand open on the floor. When the dog sits, say “Shake hands” and tap one of the dog’s front paws.

If the dog lifts its paw at that moment, the owner catches it and gives a treat as a reward.
If the dog doesn’t react, the owner can take the initiative to extend their hand. As soon as the dog stretches out a paw and touches the owner’s hand, reward it with food.
Then gradually move the hand slightly away from the ground and repeat the process.
Smart dogs can learn to shake hands in just ten minutes; average dogs usually learn in about an hour. After that, you can remove the treat and use only the command—your dog will initiate the handshake.

14. Dog Training for Retrieve Command

a. The Joy of Owning a Well-Trained Dog

We have seen popular videos online where other people’s dogs obediently bring their owner’s slippers after receiving a command, and put them down after another command. Such well-trained dogs make every owner feel envious.

b. Innate Retrieving Skills in Dogs

The ability of dogs to “retrieve” objects is innate, evolved from their hunting skills. A 2-month-old puppy can already pick things up from the ground. But if you think this kind of dog training is easy, you will be disappointed. Without training, don’t expect a dog to bring a specified item back to you just because of a single command. In most cases, they don’t understand why you threw something away, or they may run after it but have no idea that they need to bring it back. So, don’t be lazy. If you want your dog to obey, you need to train it.

c. Training Method: Teaching Your Dog to Retrieve

First, we train the dog to learn how to “hold.” The owner should prepare an item that easily excites the dog, hold it in the right hand and shake it in front of the dog. Once the dog gets excited, immediately throw the item one or two meters away while giving the command “hold.” When the dog is about to touch the item, repeat the command “hold.” If the dog holds the item, the owner should immediately praise and reward with food. After the dog holds the object for 30 seconds, the owner gives the command “release,” takes the item, and rewards the dog again with food. After repeated practice, the conditioned reflex for “hold” and “release” will form.

Of course, not all dogs can undergo this training smoothly. Some dogs need a bit of coercion. We can have the dog sit beside us, give the “hold” command, then pry open the dog’s mouth, place the item inside, and support the dog’s lower jaw with your hand. After a few seconds, give the “release” command, take the item out, and reward the dog. After repeated training, continue training as described above.

The training commands can be combined with hand gestures. For example, when giving the “hold” command, point with your right hand toward the item to be held. After the dog holds the object, use a training leash along with the command “come” to teach the dog the actions of “come” and “release.”

d. Training Points to Note

This dog training is relatively complex, and the following points need attention:

① When training your own dog to retrieve objects, make sure it develops the habit of retrieving specified objects on command, rather than grabbing things at will.

② Frequently change the objects to be retrieved to improve the dog’s adaptability.

③ Food rewards should not be too frequent or too early, to prevent the dog from spitting out the item as soon as it sees the reward.

④ Biting, playing with, or automatically dropping the item in the mouth should all be corrected.

⑤ Focus on inducement rather than force. Observe the dog’s reaction, and if it shows annoyance, stop as early as possible.

15. Dog Training for Frisbee Play

Dogs are very eager to play with their owners, and playing frisbee is one of the classic outdoor activities.

a. Which Dogs Are Suitable for the Frisbee Game?

However, not all dogs are suitable for playing frisbee. Some medium to large dogs like Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Dobermans, or agile small dogs like Shelties, Schnauzers, and Cocker Spaniels are more suitable for this game. Some small dogs like Toy Poodles are prone to patellar luxation due to excessive jumping, so it’s best to avoid this game. The frisbee game requires a lot of physical activity, so dogs with weak constitutions or very young age are not suitable.

b. Training Method: How to Train Your Dog to Catch a Frisbee

To train a dog to catch a thrown frisbee, you need to choose a spacious and clean area. The first thing to do is to increase the dog’s interest in the frisbee, such as smearing the frisbee with a scent the dog likes, or the owner playing with the frisbee themselves—the dog will then actively come over to join in. If there are other dogs playing frisbee at that time, even better. Dogs have a strong ability to imitate, and the actions of their companions can help them quickly grasp the key points.

When the dog becomes very interested in the frisbee, the owner can use the frisbee to control the dog’s excitement. When the dog is very anxious, throw the frisbee to it—it will be very happy—then the owner grabs the frisbee back and repeats. If the dog runs off directly after biting the frisbee, be sure to stop it in time.

The next step is to train the dog to “bite” and “release” the frisbee. This training was mentioned earlier and won’t be repeated here. The focus is on the dog’s “circling” training. The owner can stand the frisbee upright and roll it to cultivate the dog’s habit of biting moving objects. A longer leash can be helpful. The first time you throw the frisbee, don’t throw it too far. Pay attention to the dog’s stamina and patience. Each frisbee training session should last about half an hour—too long and the dog may lose interest.

c. Important Points to Remember in Frisbee Training

Frisbee games require repeated training. Commands should be short and clear, and rewards should be given promptly. Dogs are smart and playful—they will definitely learn quickly. What the owner needs to pay attention to is the dog’s physical strength, and make sure to allow rest and hydration. Also, the field should preferably be clean. If there is feces from other dogs, it may cause your dog to get sick.

16. Crate Training

If guests come to the house, and we don’t want the dog to be overly active outside, or maybe the guests don’t like dogs, then we need the dog to obediently stay in the crate and remain quiet.
The dog’s behavior depends on the owner’s training. Therefore, it is also necessary to teach the dog to stay in the crate.

The most important thing about crate training is not to let the dog develop a fear of the crate. On the contrary, the dog should see the crate as a “den,” a place that can protect it and give it a sense of security—only then can training proceed smoothly.

a. Training method and precautions:

This training is suitable when the dog is 2–5 months old. Training an adult dog like this is relatively more difficult.

The training mainly uses inducement methods. The owner can place the dog’s favorite food or toys in the crate during meal times, or hold the dog and enter the crate together, you should never forcefully pull the dog into the crate.

At the beginning of training, don’t close the crate door. Close it only after the dog gets used to it. After the dog enters the crate, you should stay nearby so the dog knows the owner is present, which reduces its anxiety.

Training should proceed gradually. After the door is closed, let the dog get out after 30 minutes to drink water, then continue training. The water-drinking interval can gradually be extended to 4 hours, to let the dog out every 4 hours to drink and defecate.

Eventually, even without guidance from the owner, the dog will get used to going back into the crate to rest.

17. Dog Patience Training

Dog Training of Patience has many benefits. Especially when the dog is home alone, it will learn to wait instead of destroying things.

Once it learns to wait patiently, the waiting time can be gradually extended. In the end, even if the owner is not there or ignores it, the dog can wait indefinitely.

a. Training method:

The method is for the owner to do their own tasks while ordering the dog to sit and wait nearby. The dog may do something to attract the owner’s attention in order to get a response. At this point, the owner must ignore the dog—not scold, not comfort, not coax, not stare—just focus on what they are doing and completely ignore the dog. The dog will then quiet down.

As soon as the dog becomes quiet, immediately give it a food reward or satisfy the goal it was trying to achieve. However, the dog may suddenly get excited again because of the owner’s attention and may not yet understand the owner’s intention, and will continue pestering. At this time, the owner must still ignore it. When the dog walks away and lies down obediently, immediately give it what it wants.

Just repeat this twice, and the dog will understand that only by waiting can it get what it wants.

18. Dog Training for Quieting Down

When the dog barks, some owners may shout “Quiet,” which undoubtedly cheers for the dog, and it will only bark more fiercely. When you want a quiet dog, you might try the following methods to train:

a. Training method:

– Rewarding Quiet Behavior

When the dog barks endlessly, you can ring a bell, and as long as it stops barking, reward it with a snack. Over time, the dog will learn that hearing the bell signals it to quiet down, associating the sound with a positive reward.

– Exercise to Reduce Barking

The dog may bark because it has too much energy. Allowing it to exercise will not only help burn off excess physical energy but also provide mental stimulation. A tired dog is often a quieter dog.

– Diverting Attention

Sometimes, dogs bark because they are bored. When this happens, try to divert its attention by teasing it with toys or bones. Most dogs will become interested in playing with their toys, distracting them from barking.

– Patience Over Punishment

In any case, when the dog barks, please be patient in stopping it. Avoid using corporal punishment, as this can create negative associations and worsen the behavior.

19. Dog Training for Learning to Wait

Many times, we need the dog to “wait a moment,” and this training is often used in other dog training as well.

a. Training Method:

Before training, we need to make the dog focus its attention, first use a command to tell it “Don’t move!”, you can use actions or gestures to assist and strengthen this command, and then leave the dog.

At first, you don’t need to go very far, then see if the dog can stay still, if it can, go back and reward it, pet it and praise it, let the dog see your satisfied expression.

If after you leave not far, the dog moves, then return immediately to repeat the initial action, use the command to restate “Don’t move!” and also express your dissatisfaction through facial expression and gestures. After several repetitions of training, the dog will understand the meaning of the command “Don’t move!”.

After the initial success of the training, the owner can gradually extend the time and distance of leaving, allowing the dog to get used to waiting for you to finish things and come back.

20. Training the Dog Not to Jump on People

a. Understanding Dog Behavior: Excitement and Jumping

We often see dogs enthusiastically and excitedly circling around their owner, jumping onto the owner, and even asking for a hug when they see their owner. But if all this happens to strangers, especially with a large dog, it can be quite frightening.

For dogs, barking, chasing their tails, and biting are all ways to express their excitement. If none of these behaviors are caused by disease, every owner should appropriately train the dog’s behavior to cultivate a polite and self-restrained dog. This helps avoid causing unnecessary trouble to themselves and others.

b. Training Method: Correcting Jumping Behavior

First, from the beginning, many dogs develop the habit of jumping up and licking the owner’s face. When this behavior occurs repeatedly without punishment, it encourages the dog to try harder to jump up and get attention.

Therefore, even if we have a very good relationship with the dog, we must be alert to their misunderstanding of this behavior and must correct such bad habits.

– How to Correct the Habit of Jumping Up

If the dog has developed the habit of jumping up, the owner needs to use the correct command, being careful not to change the command arbitrarily. For example, we must sternly say “Sit!” instead of “Down!” because dogs do not understand complex human language.

Additionally, there is no need to add movements such as waving arms, which can be seen as stimulation for dogs.

– Reinforcing Positive Behavior

When the dog very obediently follows your command, the owner can give a reward, such as stroking its chin to express affirmation. It is also helpful to step on the leash at the same time, to prevent the dog from getting excited and jumping up again.

– Understanding the Dog’s Desire for Attention

We also need to understand the dog’s strong desire to get the owner’s attention. They are like children, thinking that licking the owner’s face is normal play. When you look at it with a stern face or show an angry expression, the dog will, like a child, reflect on its behavior, realizing that pouncing on the owner from behind or jumping up to pounce on the owner is wrong.

With a period of consistent dog training, you can correct the dog’s bad habits and teach it that jumping on people is not acceptable.

21. Training the Dog to Get Along Peacefully with Other Dogs

In many cases, the dog’s obvious aggressive behavior is actually defensive, not aggressive. It may want other dogs to leave, but it has not yet learned the correct way of socializing. Therefore, the goal of dog training is to teach the dog to get along with other dogs peacefully, not to attack them.

a. Training Method:

① When your dog makes eye contact with the other dog, you should stop it. Because staring angrily at the other dog indicates that a war is about to break out.

② Aggressive behavior caused by the fight for dominance is usually difficult to handle. Before the fight, there are often already aggressive body postures and growling. The only solution is to make one of the dogs retreat. If the dog owner intervenes roughly, they may be attacked by the dog.

③ When the dog shows aggressive behavior, the owner may instinctively pull the leash tight, but forcibly pulling it back actually exacerbates its aggressive behavior. The correct way is to turn its head away, so that it cannot make eye contact with the other dog.

④ Divert its attention. When the dog encounters possible aggressive behavior, you should use its favorite toy to attract its attention and command it to sit down. Reward it when it behaves well.

⑤ Recall training. In a quiet environment, use a long leash to train the dog to come back to you. At this time, there should be other dogs present but at a certain distance. When the dog does not show aggressive behavior, reward it.

22. Training the Dog to Develop Good Dining Etiquette

Good dining etiquette can help the dog learn obedience, not covet food in other dogs’ bowls, and cherish food.

a. Training Method:

① Prepare the dog’s favorite snack. Food that does not attract the dog will not achieve the training purpose.

② Let the dog sit down. Place the food in front of it, let it sniff, then lift the food over the dog’s head while asking it to sit down. At this time, the dog will generally stare at the food intently.

③ Place the food at a distance of one step away from the dog. If the dog rushes to eat the food, remove the food, meaning that if it does not follow the command, it will not get the food.

④ When the dog sits obediently and does not immediately eat the food, you only need to wait a few seconds before letting it eat, encouraging it for doing well. Do not make the dog wait too long because its patience is limited, to avoid the training failing.

At the beginning of training, the dog may sit down and immediately stand up to rush at the snack. You must believe that this can be corrected, and you must make it sit stably before giving it food.

Training the dog’s dining etiquette ten times a day for ten minutes with ten small snacks can achieve satisfactory training results in one week.

23. Training the Dog to Play Happily with Children

Pets are a member of the family. Children learning to take care of the dog can enhance their sense of responsibility and also have an extra playmate. If you want the dog and children to happily play together, you must pay attention to the following aspects:

a. Training Method:

① First, no matter what training item is being taught to the dog, children should only participate once the dog completely understands how to perform the task.

② Second, all activities involving the dog and children should be conducted under adult supervision to ensure safety for both the dog and the child.

③ Finally, children can use food to reward the dog. Through games, the dog will learn that children also have the right to be its owner, and that all toys belong to the owner, even if they are young.

If you want the dog to be more interested in humans, the time it spends interacting with humans must be more than three times the time it spends with other dogs.

b. Building Positive Relationships Between Dogs and Children

Some dogs may not be very friendly towards young children. The owner should reflect on whether they tend to ignore the dog when children are present. Animals can feel jealousy, so when children and the dog are together, the owner should make extra efforts to care for and pet the dog, or give it treats. This will increase the dog’s affection for the children, helping it understand that even with children around, the owner still cares for and loves it, which will reduce any hostility towards children.

c. Guiding Children in Safe Interaction with Dogs

In addition, children may sometimes unintentionally hurt the dog, such as stepping on its tail or grabbing its ears. Out of self-defense, the dog may “defend and counterattack.” Therefore, do not be overly sensitive about the interactions between the dog and children. The owner can guide the child to use simple commands like “walk” and “sit” for the dog and let the child feed the dog. This will help the dog understand the child’s status as an owner, and the dog will gradually accept it.

More Knowledge

about Dog Training I Found, you can also take for reference and join talk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_training

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining