How to Train Your Dog in Basic Behavior Skills

An unruly, hyperactive dog can remove all the joy from dog ownership. Fortunately, teaching your dog basic manners doesn't have to be difficult, and training your dog can strengthen your relationship. The American Association of Pet Dog Trainers advises using only positive, reward-based training methods. These methods work faster, are easier for a novice to implement and can make training something you and your dog look forward to.

Things You'll Need

  • Clicker
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize your dog. Proper socialization is the first step in raising a dog with good manners who knows how to behave under a variety of circumstances. Beginning when you first bring your puppy home, expose your dog to a variety of circumstances and people whenever possible. Aim to make these first experiences in the world positive ones, and encourage a variety of people to give your dog treats. Doing so will help your dog be comfortable around people, avert problems with aggression and fear and help your dog behave calmly out in public.

    • 2

      Teach your dog to sit. Hold a treat above your dog's nose so that your dog has to look up, which will cause your dog to automatically sit. As soon as your dog sits, say "Sit." Click your clicker and then give your dog a treat. Repeat this several times over the course of a week. Always click the clicker immediately after your dog sits, but slowly increase the amount of time you wait before giving your dog a treat after she sits.

    • 3

      Teach your dog to stay. "Stay" is one of the most important commands because it gives you control over your dog in unpredictable circumstances. Tell your dog to sit, and then hold your hand up, telling your dog to stay. Wait five seconds, then click your clicker and give him a treat. Repeat several times over a week, and increase the amount of time before your dog gets the treat. After your dog has mastered "stay" in a low-stress environment, begin practicing longer and longer stays. Practice stay in loud, unpredictable environments to slowly build up your dog's self-control and ability to stay.

    • 4

      Teach your dog to come when called. Say, "Come!" in an excited voice and praise her when she does so. Practice this as often as possible because "come" is the most important skill any dog can learn. Never call your dog and then punish her, or you will make her less likely to come in the future. After your dog comes reliably in your house, practice calling her in more stressful environments, and reward her with wonderful treats every time she comes.

    • 5

      Teach your dog not to jump. If your dog gets excited and starts jumping, do not give him any attention for jumping and do not scold him. Instead, tell him to sit. This skill will take some practice because when dogs get excited they have a hard time listening. If your dog is rewarded for sitting and ignored for jumping consistently, however, he will eventually stop jumping and wait calmly for a treat and attention.