Top 10 Questions Pet Parents ask Dog Trainers

1. How can I train my dog to come when called?

There are several ways to train your dog to come when called. Here are a few tips:

Start by using a high-value treat or toy to get your dog’s attention and give the “come” command.
Give the command in a happy and excited tone of voice.
When your dog comes to you, be sure to praise and reward them with a treat or toy.
Repeat this process in different locations and with increasing distractions to build reliability.
Gradually phase out the use of treats and rewards over time.
Practice the come command in different environments, such as in the park, backyard, or other areas.
Be consistent and patient with your training, as it may take time for your dog to fully understand and respond to the command.
It’s also important to note that if your dog has a history of running away or not responding to recall, it’s important to work with a professional dog trainer who can help you address this problem safely.

2. How can I stop my dog from barking excessively?

Here are a few ways to help stop your dog from barking excessively:

Identify the cause of the barking: Determine what triggers your dog to bark, such as doorbells, people walking by, or other dogs. Once you understand the reason, you can take steps to address it.
Train a “quiet” command: Teach your dog knowledge such as “quiet” or “enough” and reward them for stopping barking when you give the order.
Provide mental and physical stimulation: Dogs that are bored or under-exercised may bark out of frustration. Ensure your dog gets enough physical exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation.
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they are quiet and ignore or redirect them when they start barking excessively.
Avoid reinforcing the barking: Don’t give your dog attention or rewards when they are barking excessively.
Seek professional help: If your dog’s excessive barking is caused by anxiety or other behavioral issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Avoid punishment: Yelling, hitting, or using physical punishment on your dog may only make the barking worse and can lead to other behavioral problems.
It’s important to remember that barking is a natural behavior for dogs and some breeds have a stronger inclination to bark than others. Therefore, it is important to be realistic about a manageable level of barking for your dog and your lifestyle.

3. How can I teach my dog to walk politely on a leash?

Here are a few tips on how to teach your dog to walk politely on a leash:

Start by teaching your dog to walk beside you, rather than pulling ahead. Use a front-clip harness or a head collar to help prevent pulling.
Use positive reinforcement to reward your dog for walking beside you. Treats, praise, and toys can be used as rewards.
Practice walking in a low-distraction area first, such as in your home or backyard. Once your dog is doing well in these areas, gradually increase the level of distractions.
When your dog starts to pull, stop walking and wait until they stop pulling before continuing. This will help teach them that pulling on the leash will not get them where they want to go.
Use the “heel” command to help your dog understand where you want them to walk. Reward them with treats, praise, or toys when they are in the correct position.
Use a consistent and firm but gentle leash correction when your dog pulls, pulling the leash in the opposite direction of the pull to create tension, and release the tension when the dog is walking by your side.
Make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. A tired dog is less likely to pull on the leash.
Practice regularly, consistency is critical to success.

It’s important to note that leash training can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away. It’s also important to work with a professional dog trainer if you are having difficulty or if your dog has a history of leash reactivity or aggression.

4. How can I potty train my puppy?

Potty training a puppy can take time and patience, but with a consistent approach, it can be done successfully. Here are a few tips:

Set a schedule: Puppies have small bladders and need to go potty frequently. Establish a schedule for feeding, playing, and potty breaks.
Take them out frequently: Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and before bedtime.
Use a specific potty phrase: Use a specific phrase such as “go potty” or “do your business” when taking your puppy out to help them understand what you want them to do.
Reward and praise: When your puppy goes potty outside, make sure to reward them with treats, praise, and affection.
Supervision: Keep an eye on your puppy and closely supervise them when they are inside the house. If you can’t supervise, keep your puppy in a crate or a small area with puppy pads.
Consistency: Stick to a consistent schedule and routine, as well as using the same potty area every time will help your puppy learn where to go.
Clean up accidents properly: Clean up any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed to remove pet odors.
Be patient: Potty training a puppy can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your puppy has accidents.
Seek professional help: If you are having difficulty potty training your puppy, or if your puppy has a history of elimination issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

It’s important to keep in mind that every puppy is different and some may take longer to potty train. A consistent and positive approach is the key to success.

5. How can I train my dog to stop jumping on people?

Jumping on people is a common behavior problem that can be corrected with training. Here are a few tips:

Teach an “off” command: Teaching your dog a command such as “off” or “down” can help them understand when it is not appropriate to jump on people.
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they keep all four paws on the ground and ignore or redirect them when they start jumping.
Avoid reinforcement: Don’t give your dog attention or rewards when they are jumping. Wait for them to have all four paws on the ground before giving them attention.
Keep your dog on a leash: When you have visitors, keep your dog on a leash until you are sure they will not jump on them.
Teach “sit” command: Teaching your dog a “sit” command will give them an alternative behavior to jumping.
Consistency is key: Be consistent with your training and make sure everyone in your household is using the same commands.
Distraction technique: When you see your dog starting to jump, divert their attention with a toy or a treat.
Seek professional help: if your dog’s jumping is caused by anxiety or other behavioral issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Be patient: Training your dog to stop jumping on people can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.

It’s important to remember that jumping is a natural behavior for dogs, especially when they are excited or want to greet someone. The goal is to teach your dog an alternative behavior when greeting people and to redirect their excitement more appropriately.

6. How can I train my dog to stay in a specific area?

Training your dog to stay in a specific area can be done through the use of a boundary or containment system, or through training commands such as “stay” or “stay here.” Here are a few tips:

Start with small boundaries: Begin by training your dog to stay within a small area, such as a small room or a specific section of your yard, before gradually increasing the size of the area.
Use a containment system: Consider using a physical barrier such as a fence or a wireless containment system to create a defined boundary.
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they stay within the designated area and redirect or correct them when they leave it.
Teach a “stay” command: Teach your dog a “stay” command and use it in combination with physical barriers to reinforce the training.
Practice regularly: Consistency is critical to success, so make sure to practice regularly with your dog.
Increase the duration of the stay: Once your dog stays in the designated area for short periods, gradually increase the time of the stay command.
Create a safe zone: Make sure that the area you want your dog to stay in is safe and comfortable for them.
Seek professional help: If you are having difficulty training your dog to stay in a specific area, or if your dog has a history of escaping or running away, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Be patient: Training your dog to stay in a specific area can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.

It’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different and some may take longer to learn to stay in a specific area, so be patient and consistent in your approach. It’s also important to note that if your dog has a history of escaping or running away, it’s important to work with a professional dog trainer who can help you address this problem safely.

7. How can I train my dog to stop biting?

Biting is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can become a problem when it’s directed toward people. Here are a few tips to help train your dog to stop biting:

Teach bite inhibition: Teaching your dog bite inhibition, which is the ability to control the force of their bite, can help prevent them from biting too hard.
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they exhibit appropriate behavior, such as when they play gently with toys or when they let go of an object when asked.
Redirect their biting: When your dog starts to bite, redirect their biting to a toy or a chew object.
Use a firm “no bite” command: Use a firm but calm “no bite” command when your dog starts to bite.
Avoid rough play: Avoid playing rough games that encourage biting, such as tug-of-war.
Be consistent: Be consistent in your training and make sure everyone in your household is using the same commands.
Seek professional help: if your dog’s biting is caused by anxiety or other behavioral issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Be patient: Training your dog to stop biting can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.

It’s important to keep in mind that biting can be a sign of fear, anxiety, or lack of proper socialization and training, so it’s important to address the underlying issue and work with a professional if necessary. It’s also important to note that puppies may bite and mouth as part of normal play, but it’s important to teach them appropriate bite inhibition and redirect the biting towards appropriate objects and not towards people.

8. How can I train my dog to drop or give up an object?

Training your dog to drop or give up an object can be done through the use of positive reinforcement and the “drop it” or “give” command. Here are a few tips:

Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog with treats, praise, or toys when they drop or give up an object when asked.
Teach a “drop it” or “give” command: Teach your dog a specific command such as “drop it” or “give” when you want them to release an object.
Practice regularly: Consistency is critical to success, so make sure to practice regularly with your dog.
Practice with different types of objects: Practice with different types of objects, such as toys, food, and other items to help generalize the training.

Trade-up: Offer a high-value treat or toy in exchange for the object they have in their mouth.

Be patient: Training your dog to drop or give up an object can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.
Seek professional help: If your dog has difficulty releasing certain objects, or if your dog’s possession aggression is causing problems, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Avoid using force: never try to take an object from a dog’s mouth using force, as it can lead to defensive biting and can damage the relationship you have with your dog.

It’s important to remember that dogs have the instinct to hold onto things and they may not willingly give up an object. Therefore, it’s important to teach them that giving up an object can be rewarding. Additionally, it’s important to note that training a “drop it” command should be done in a controlled environment and with safe objects, not with objects that can be harmful or dangerous if ingested.

9. How can I train my dog to be more obedient?

Training your dog to be more obedient can be done through positive reinforcement and consistency. Here are a few tips:

Start with basic commands: Teach your dog basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel,” and “off.”
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they follow your commands with treats, praise, or toys.
Be consistent: Use the same commands and rewards consistently so your dog can learn to associate certain behaviors with rewards.
Use a firm but calm tone: Use a firm but calm tone when giving commands to your dog.
Practice regularly: Consistency is critical to success, so make sure to practice regularly with your dog.
Gradually increase distractions: Practice commands in different environments and gradually increase distractions to build reliability.
Provide mental and physical stimulation: Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation. A tired dog is less likely to have behavior problems.
Seek professional help: If you are having difficulty training your dog or if your dog has specific behavioral issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Be patient: Training your dog to be more obedient can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.

It’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different and some may take longer to learn certain commands. A consistent and positive approach is the key to success. Also, obedience training is a lifelong process, so it’s important to keep working with your dog to maintain and improve its obedience skills.

10. How can I train my dog to perform specific tricks or behaviors?

Training your dog to perform specific tricks or behaviors can be done through positive reinforcement and consistency. Here are a few tips:

Start with basic tricks: Teach your dog basic tricks such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “roll over,” “speak,” and “shake.”
Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they follow your commands with treats, praise, or toys.
Break the trick into small steps: Break the trick into small steps and teach them one step at a time.
Use a clicker: A clicker is a handy tool that can help your dog understand when they are doing something right, it helps them to associate the sound with the desired behavior.
Practice regularly: Consistency is critical to success, so make sure to practice regularly with your dog.
Use clear cues: Use clear cues and commands for each trick, so your dog can understand what you want them to do.
Be patient: Training your dog to perform specific tricks or behaviors can take time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.
Seek professional help: If you’re having difficulty training your dog, or if your dog has specific behavioral issues, it may be best to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
Have fun: Make training a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog, so you can build a positive relationship.

It’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different and some may take longer to learn certain tricks. A consistent and positive approach is the key to success. Also, it’s important to work at your dog’s pace, and don’t expect them to perform tricks they’re not ready to do.

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