How to Train Your Dog Without Hurting It

It's no wonder that dogs are among the most popular pets in the world. They give their owners unconditional love and loyalty, and they ask for very little in return. But even the best dog needs some basic behavioral and obedience training, or its playfulness and enthusiasm could get out of hand. It's important that owners use training methods that make the process enjoyable for the dog and do not hurt it. Training sessions that are unpleasant will make the dog harder to teach and could cause it to become aggressive.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Food
  • Collar and leash or harness

Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure you are not contributing to the dog's bad behavior. If your dog jumps on you, do you play with it? Do you let the dog out if it barks? These reactions have taught the dog that behaving this way gets it what it wants. You need to curb your own reactions before you can begin modifying your dog's behaviors.

    • 2

      Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog basic commands and behaviors such as "sit" and "stay." This means giving your dog a command, then praising and treating it when it follows the command. If the dog does not obey, or responds with some other behavior, simply ignore it. Do not yell or punish the dog. More complicated commands may require better incentives, such as a bit of chicken or cheese instead of the usual dog treat.

    • 3

      Ignore behaviors you do not like instead of punishing them. For instance, if your dog jumps on you, turn your body away and do not respond. When the dog sits, praise it and give it the attention it wanted. If you yell or punish the dog for such behaviors, you may end up teaching it that people are mean, or even that you are mean. This could lead to either an aggressive dog or a very submissive one.

    • 4

      Act quickly when meting out consequences or praise. If your puppy nips you while you are playing, immediately say "ouch" and stop playing. The puppy will eventually learn that nipping people means no more attention. Conversely, give your dog a treat as soon as it does something you like. If you wait too long, the dog will not associate the consequence with the behavior.

    • 5

      Use the proper training equipment. When teaching your dog to heel or walk on a leash, or any time you are taking it outside to a public area, your dog should be on a leash. Instead of the traditional collar, some dogs may benefit from the use of a harness. Harnesses go around the neck and behind the front legs, attaching to the leash at the shoulders. They work well for dogs that pull on the leash because they give the owner more control without tugging on the dog's neck. Harnesses are also an option for dogs that experience breathing issues or small dogs that may slip out of a normal collar.

    • 6

      Get to the root of the dog's behavior. For example, if your dog has a problem with incessant barking, it could be that the dog is bored or lonely. Spending more time exercising it or playing with it could help lessen the barking. You might even consider getting another dog to keep it company if you are gone for long periods.