Written By : M Samy

How to Start training your Dog ?

How do I start training my dog or Puppy ?

start training your dog

Do you want to start training your dog? You have done well, because a well trained dog is a dog that will live a long, happy and healthy life.

The training of a dog or puppy always starts by teaching him cleanliness ( Potty training ) and also socialization., it will be a Crate training for puppies 

Then comes obedience and the adjustment of his behavior.

Then we’ll see how to teach your dog the basics.I mean the essentials that he needs , some kind of life skills and some Cool and funny tricks and doggie games …etc

I will talk about Brain games for dogs and brain training , and how to use positive reinforcement to get Quick results when training your dog …

We will then talk about advanced training for dogs if you want to make a real athlete or a formidable opponent in chess …. 

My name is M Samy …and …Let’s Dive in

How old does a dog have to be to start training?

essential dog training tools

You can start training a puppy from the age of 5 weeks, see Crate training, but you should also know that the dog is ready to learn new tricks at any age.

You only need to adapt his training to his age and physical abilities, as you only need one training session a day if your dog is a little old or sick. 

If not reduce the training session from 15 minutes to 10 minutes for example and only one session per day …etc…

Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

Training a dog can be a tedious task. Many people say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, but this may not always be the case.

There are more or less favorable ages for training a dog. Very young puppies are preoccupied with discovering their environment, but they are never too young to learn the basics.

In general, puppies under 6 months will benefit greatly from their experiences with their brothers, sisters, and mother. This is when they learn the elementary “social graces”.

While they are learning from their siblings, you can take this time to teach the most basic element of training, trust. 

They are too young to concentrate on formal lessons, but they can acquire an understanding of your expressions of pleasure and displeasure through sights and sounds as you grow closer together. 

This is more of a time to bond, but they are always learning, and you can help the process along.

Most training schools and classes will not accept canine students less than 6 months of age, due to the teething process, another distraction. 

Also during adolescence, dogs, like children, tend to resist authority. Again while formal training may not be possible, you can still work with your dog and help him get through this difficult time.

Generally speaking, you can start to give a dog formal training with the best chances of success between the ages of 12 and 18 months

Small breeds and females, who mature earlier, can start sooner than large male dogs. 

Working dogs, such as guard or guide dogs are never trained before the age of 1 or 1 ½ years, while hunting dogs are taken out with well-trained older dogs when they are 4 or 5 months old.

There is no maximum age for starting to train a dog. You can teach an old dog new tricks as long as he lives. 

See also  Most Common Pet Health Issues And How To Address Them

One of the best obedience competitors in history was a Dalmatian who started training at the age of twelve. 

The principle handicaps in training unschooled adult dogs are the need for unlearning bad habits, and the greater length of time it usually takes to establish the basic learning process in his undisciplined brain.

What do I need to start training my dog?

Dog training the first steps

1- Knowledge:

You must first of all understand the dog’s behaviour, learning to decipher your dog’s body language, and learn the Do’s and Don’ts when you train your dog yourself.

Don’t worry about those two requirements, I’ve written these two books and it’s a pleasure to offer them to you.

free books to help you start training your dog

Follow this link to download the first and receive the second book in your mailbox as well as tips and tricks that will help you train your dog.

After that, you will then need some tools that will be very useful during the training sessions of your dog.

2- Some Basic training tools

I’ve selected the basic tools you’ll need to start training your dog.

Here is a list of objects that you should normally have so that you can train your dog properly, they will make your task much easier.

Here are the Dog training tools I use and recommend to you  :

  • The Clicker ( For the clicker training method )
  • The special dog training leash 
  • Target Stick
  • Portable Mat
  • Collar and harness
  • Treats 
  • Long line. When your dog is ready to practice behaviors like long-distance stays and come when called, a long line is a safe and simple alternative to being off leash…
  • Barriers. Dog Crates, pet gates, pet pens and playpens ( For the crate training if you want to house-train a puppy )
  • Training carryall. Consider designating a bag or storage container to hold your dog’s training equipment
  • Toys. Play and toys are excellent rewards to use for playful canines in training. 
  • Treat bag. Training pouches provide a simple way to keep treats on hand to immediately reward your dog

3-You need help to House-train your dog :

Of course you can train your dog yourself, and that’s what I recommend.

But what I’m talking about here is getting your family and friends involved in your dog’s training…

For example, informing them of the commands you use with your dog so that they can use them too.

Ask family members to never reward your dog for bad behaviour...

Teach them what your dog’s language means so that they can better communicate with him …etc…

I also want you to consider subscribing to an online dog training program, because there is nothing better than watching videos of professional dog trainers and then apply what you learn and replicate it with your dog…

I’ve selected two programs for the moment, I’ll tell you about them at the bottom of the article.

Why do you have to train your dog?

It’s simple, tell me, we love our children, we play with them, we walk them, we feed them …etc but don’t forget that we also train them so that they acquire the necessary abilities to have a healthy and happy life and to provide for their needs.

See also  How to Choose the right pet [All the Tips]

Same for dogs, every dog owner must absolutely train his dog and teach him at least the basic tricks.

Here are the main reasons why you should train your dog:

A dog in training :

  • Lives longer.
  • Never get aggressive.
  • Doesn’t get sick very often.
  • Behaves well with people and other animals.
  • Lives happily.
  • Honours its owner.
  • Feels loved and part of the family.
  • Understands better what you want from him.
  • Becomes more independent.
  • Can stay home alone without destroying it and can take care of himself while you wait for you to come home.
  • Knows how to avoid danger.
  • Can go anywhere with his landlord.
  • Will know how to behave in the car and in the public space…etc.

There are a dozen other reasons, but just think that a well trained dog is a happy dog .

you know why?

Your dog’s first goal is to make you happy, and the only way he can do that is if you show him how by training him.

Now let’s see where to start training your dog:

The House-breaking (The Crate training)

to allow a week to a month to complete this first training phase. 

You have to make your puppy understand that its crate is a special happy place all of its own, a safe  place where only good things happen, so he or she becomes willing and even looks forward to spending calm, relaxed time there.

You’re going to start by getting your puppy used to his crate.

The main objectives when you start training your dog  are the following:

Get your puppy to love his crate. 

Start by potty-training ; If it’s a puppy, you have to start by teaching your puppy the place where he’s going to relieve himself and the times too…etc

And than , Start teaching your puppy basic commands such as “sit”, “lay down”, “stay”, “wait”…

Begin to leave your puppy alone in his crate, and make sure to extend the duration each day (he must of course have access to water and you must also leave him in his crate his favorite toys).

Pay attention to your puppy’s slightest behaviour and rectify any misbehaviour without forgetting to eagerly reward and praise  him when he does something good.

The rules:

  • Focus on one or two commands at most a week.
  • A 15-minute training session or two per day.
  • Don’t forget to play with your puppy.
  • Reward only when your dog really deserves it’s treat , not just because he or she is so cute … Funny …you know what i mean !!!

Establish a routine for your dog:

Dogs love habits, and like to know what to expect and when to expect it.

This routine will help them become patient and increase their confidence and trust in you.

You must absolutely respect mealtimes, outings , training time which should not coincide with your puppy’s nap times and play times…

Crate training puppy schedule :

puppy crate training schedule

Teaching your puppy basic commands

  • How does your dog sit when you tell him to and mine doesn’t?
  • How can your dog heel to you like that? 
  • Wow! He comes when you tell him to”  – Sounds familiar?

 If it does, you need to invest some time into a little bit of basic dog training. 

See also  How to Properly Give Your Family Dog a Bath ?

Starting to train your dog from a young age is crucial as the first few months of his life is when you will have the greatest influence on him .

This is where he is shaped into the dog he is going to be when he is all grown up.

The most basic of dog training is to get your dog to sit and come. 

Teaching him those commands are essential for him to learn. 

These commands are used for various different reasons, if you are in competition, if your dog jumps making him sit will immediately get him off and “come” is the all important one. 

If you take your dog for a walk, you let him of the leash and you expect him to come back to you, not run around the park with you chasing after him shouting at him to “get here right this instance”. That would be just down right embarrassing!

Teaching your Dog or Puppy  the Command “ Come”

To teach your dog how to come requires only the most basic of techniques but a lot of repetition. 

The simplest way to get him to come is :

Have a toy in one hand and a treat in the other, when you are in the house simply walk away from him, hold out the toy and excitingly call him to you

When he comes over give him a treat, always use the command for come that you are going to use in the future. 

Doing this several times a day is a great way to teach him, but remember to have lots of long breaks so he doesn’t get bored and stop enjoying it, and don’t forget the treats!

Teaching Your Puppy or Dog The command “Sit”

Getting him to sit could be a slight bit harder but again only requires basic dog training

When you have mastered the come command call him to you

Place your hand on the end of his back and say “sit” while gently pushing down on his backside 

When he sits his bottom down give him a treat and a lot of praise. 

If you want him to sit longer just delay giving him the treat and the praise, get him to sit but take your time bending down to him and feeding him his titbit.

Basic dog training is simple and very effective. It should also be fun for you and your dog, it doesn’t have to be hours and hours each day just may be 5 to 15 minutes

Don’t forget to reward your dog and yourself for all the “hard” work though!!

M Samy pet blogger and author at famillypet

About Author

Hey! Samy here , Welcome to my Blog I'm an animal lover, especially pets and Really concerned about their well being ; I've been around and caring for all my life and Now ; a full-time Pet blogger at your service . My motto here at Famillypet is: "Pets First" ... Read More

Leave a Comment