Author

Deni D.

Position

Founder & CEO

Training your dog is not only a great way to bond with them, but an important step to take to ensure your dog ownership journey can be as smooth as possible. Here are our tips on the essential dog training exercises/tips we think you should know!

Why read this article?

Nine beginner training exercises

Sit: Hold a treat above your dog's head, moving it back over their head. As their head goes up and their bottom lowers, say "Sit" and reward them with the treat.

Stay: Have your dog sit in front of you, hold your hand up like a stop sign, and say "Stay" in a clear voice. Take a step back, and if your dog remains in place, reward them with a treat.

Come: Crouch down and open your arms while calling your dog's name followed by "Come." Reward them with praise and treats when they reach you.

Leash Walking: Use a front-clip harness or head collar to discourage pulling. Reward your dog for walking beside you without tension on the leash.

Leave It: Place a treat in your closed hand and let your dog sniff it. When they stop trying to get the treat, say "Leave it" and offer a different treat as a reward.

Down: Start with your dog in a sitting position. Hold a treat close to their nose, then lower it straight down to the ground. Say "Down" and reward them when their body is on the floor.

Drop It: Offer your dog a toy or object to hold in their mouth. Show them a treat and say "Drop it," encouraging them to release the item. Reward them with the treat when they let go.

Wait at Doorways: Hold your hand out like a stop sign as you approach a door. Say "Wait," then open the door slowly. If your dog tries to rush, close the door and repeat the command. Reward them when they wait calmly.

Paw/Shake Hands: Have your dog sit in front of you and say "Paw." Lift their paw gently, and reward them when they offer it willingly.

10 advanced dog training exercises

Stay with Distractions: Practice the "Stay" command in various environments with increasing distractions, such as other dogs, people, or toys nearby. Reward your dog for maintaining their stay despite temptations

Recall with Distance: Work on improving your dog's recall by gradually increasing the distance between you and your dog when calling them to "Come." Use a long training leash to give them more freedom while still having control.

Obstacle Course: Guide your dog through the agility course one obstacle at a time. Use cues like "Tunnel," "Weave," "Jump," and "A-Frame" to indicate what you want them to do at each obstacle. Praise and reward them after successfully completing each part of the course

Dancing: Encourage your dog to stand on their hind legs by holding a treat above their head, and say "Dance" or "Stand." To teach them to spin in circles, guide them in a circle with a treat and say "Spin."

Identify Toys by Name: Teach your dog to fetch specific toys when you call them by name. For instance, say "Get the ball" or "Bring the rope" to indicate which toy you want them to retrieve.

Close the Door/Cabinet: Train your dog to close doors or cabinets by nudging them with their nose. Use a command like "Close" or "Shut" while gently guiding them to the door or cabinet.

Target Discrimination: Place multiple targets around the training area and use different cues for each one. For example, say "Touch Red" or "Touch Blue" to direct them to the specific target you want them to touch

Search and Rescue: For search and rescue training, hide a favourite toy or treat, then say "Find" or "Search." Encourage your dog to locate the hidden item, and reward them with praise and treats for successful finds

Emergency Recall: For emergency recall training, choose a command like "Emergency!" or "Come here now!" Practice in different situations with high-value treats as rewards. Celebrate and treat your dog when they respond promptly

Shake: To teach your dog to shake, gently tap one of their paws and say "Shake" or "Shake it off." When they lift their paw, reward them with treats and praise.

From the experts: Dogs have the mentality of a human toddler, so their attention span is short. Keep training sessions 5-10 mins max, and reward them within 4-5 seconds of them completing an activity. Always ensure you have your dogs full attention when training them

Need more specific dog training routines and advice?

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