Dog training: 7 basics to teach your dog

A well-trained dog is a happier dog: it understands what’s expected, it can go out more, and life together is simpler. Good news: the basics can be learned at any age, with patience and the right method.

The positive method

Modern training relies on positive reinforcement: you reward the right behaviour (treat, praise, play) rather than punishing the wrong one.

Short sessions: 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day.
One word per command, always the same, for the whole family.
Reward immediately: within a second or two after the right behaviour.
End on a success, so it stays fun.

Shouting or hitting creates fear and destroys trust. A dog learns better when it feels safe.

The 7 basic commands

1. Sit

Hold a treat above its nose and move it slowly back. Its bottom goes down naturally: say “Sit” and reward.

2. Down

From the sitting position, lower the treat to the ground between its paws, then slide it forward. When it lies down: “Down”, reward.

3. Stay

Dog sitting, show your palm, take a step back, come back and reward. Gradually increase the distance and the duration.

4. Come (recall)

The most important for its safety. Start indoors, call its name + “Come” in a joyful voice, reward generously. Never call it to punish it.

5. Leave it

Show a treat in your closed hand. When it stops trying to take it, reward with another treat. Useful in the street with anything it might pick up.

6. Walking on a loose lead

Stop as soon as it pulls. Move on when the lead is slack. Reward when it walks beside you.

7. Its name

Say its name: when it looks at you, reward. A dog that responds to its name is the start of everything else.

Common mistakes

Mistake	Better
Sessions that are too long	5–10 minutes, often
Changing words	the same word for everyone
Rewarding too late	within a second or two
Punishing after the fact	ignore, redirect, reward the right behaviour
Being inconsistent	the same rules every day

Behaviour problems

Pulling, barking, destroying, fear of other dogs, aggressiveness: these problems often have a cause (boredom, fear, lack of exercise). A trainer or behaviourist can help you understand and fix them. If the behaviour appears suddenly, see a vet: pain can change a dog’s behaviour.

A tired dog is a calm dog

Many problems come from a lack of activity. Daily walks, sniffing games, puzzle toys: physical and mental exercise make training much easier.

When to call a professional?

your dog is aggressive or very fearful;
you’ve tried for weeks without progress;
you’re adopting an adult dog with a difficult past;
you want to progress faster with personalised advice.

A simple 4-week plan

To make progress without getting discouraged, go step by step:

Week 1: its name and “Sit”. Three or four short sessions a day at home.
Week 2: “Down” and the first few seconds of “Stay”. Keep practising “Sit” in other rooms.
Week 3: recall indoors, then in a garden or a calm, secure place. Add “Leave it”.
Week 4: loose-lead walking in a quiet street, and revise everything in slightly more distracting places.

At each new step, if your dog can’t manage any more, go back to an easier exercise and end on a success.

Keep a note of its progress: you’ll be surprised how much it has learned in a month. And remember that training never really stops: a few minutes a day, even with an adult dog, keeps your bond strong.

FAQ

From what age can you train a dog? From its arrival, around 8 weeks, with very short, playful sessions.

Can an adult dog still learn? Yes. It takes sometimes more patience, but adult dogs learn very well.

What treats should I use? Small, soft pieces it loves. Deduct them from its daily food.

Find a trainer on DarPaws

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