Training should be at the top of every responsible dog owner’s to-do list. Dogs deserve to be taught how to successfully navigate our human world, and effective dog training reduces nuisance behaviors while promoting public safety.
Plus, training is a great bonding activity, and trained dogs (and the humans who love them) have more fun! When your dog is well-trained, you’re more likely to include him in your adventures—from lunches with friends at dog-friendly eateries to road trip, fun dog sports and more!
What Is DIY Dog Training?
DIY dog training is teaching and managing your dog’s behavior independently instead of relying on a professional trainer. It involves using everyday routines and short training session to help your dog learn basic behaviors.
Is DIY Training Right for You?
Every dog can benefit from DIY dog training when it comes to the basics. And the truth is, even when you attend a group class or work one-on-one with a trainer, you—the owner—are still the one doing most of the training. The trainer’s job is to train you, so you can practice with—and train—your dog!
DIY training plans are best suited to teaching skills that promote manners, civility, and basic safety when in public. If you’re trying to rehab a dog who grossly lacks these skills—or who struggles with anxiety or aggression issues—we recommend consulting a qualified positive-reinforcement trainer for help.
Basic Principles of Successful Dog Training
Modern dog training centers on the principle of positive reinforcement—the act of adding something pleasant (a reward) after a desired behavior occurs. Simply put, behaviors that are rewarded will be repeated. Rewards can be anything your dog enjoys: treats, praise, petting, chasing a ball, a game of tug, a good sniff in the bushes, and more.
Being mindful of the following will help set you and your dog up for success:
- Consistency Counts. Dogs love to gamble. If something works occasionally, they’re more likely to keep trying. If you’re trying to teach your dog not to jump up on you, your family, and your guests, you need to maintain this expectation across the board to be fair and prevent confusion. It may seem cute and cuddly when he jumps up on a Saturday morning and you’re in your pajamas, but it won’t be so cute when his feet are muddy and you’re dressed for work! Make sure everyone in the family is on the same page to uphold clear and consistent expectations.
- Timing is Everything. Aim to deliver the reward (the treat, the toy, etc.) within two seconds of your dog performing correctly. This helps your dog connect the reward to the behavior. Be mindful of what’s happening as you deliver the reward. For example, if you’re working on “sit,” it’s best to reward your dog while her hind-end is on the floor. If you take too long to deliver the reward, she may sit, then stand. At that point, you’re likely rewarding a sit-stand combination.
- Practice Often. DIY dog training is most successful when we practice a little and often. A few short, five-minute sessions per day is great. It’s also helpful to sneak in a little training during daily interactions that happen outside of set practice sessions. Mealtime is a great opportunity to practice a short sit-stay. A game of fetch is a great opportunity to practice “sit,” “down,” or any other known, easy behavior to teach your dog that performing successfully is what winds you up for the next toss.
- Be Patient. Nothing kills the joy of a great training session like frustration. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, STOP. When we get frustrated, our tone of voice and body language changes. Dogs are masters at reading body language, and these expressions of frustration can damage trust and cause the dog to associate training with stress rather than success.
There’s nothing wrong with ending a session early. Ask for and reward an easy behavior your dog knows or simply declare that you’re done for the moment and excitedly remind your dog that he’s the best boy and you’ll try again later.
When cooler heads prevail, give some thought to what happened earlier. Was your dog distracted? Were either of you not feeling your best? Did you ask for more than your dog was ready for? This troubleshooting will help you set realistic expectations for your next training session.
Core Skills to Teach Your Dog at Home
The following skills are particularly well suited to DIY training, and they each offer benefits that extend beyond the basic commands:
- Name Recognition. Teaching your dog to orient to you when she hears her name is a key skill because having your dog’s attention greatly increases the odds of success when asking for subsequent behaviors. Plus, it’s a great way to redirect your dog from potential poor life choices or hazardous situations.
- A “sit” is simple to teach, useful in a variety of everyday situations, and serves as a foundation for more complex behaviors like greeting people calmly.
- A reliable “down” is the first step toward teaching your dog to settle. It helps build impulse control, is a useful position for waiting—like when you’re on a walk and want to stop and chat with a neighbor—and when built into a reliable down-stay on a bed or mat, it can help prevent unwanted behaviors like bothering guests or counter surfing when you’re cooking.
- Tug Games. Tug is a great way to build engagement with your dog. You can use the game to practice skills like “take it” and “drop it” while building impulse control by asking for a “sit,” “down” or any known behavior to turn the game back on. This structured approach helps keep the game safe while giving your dog an appropriate outlet for natural tugging instincts.
Avoid the “But He Does It at Home!” Trap
When embarking on a DIY training plan, be sure to slowly build up to practicing skills in new environments and around new distractions. With each new location or set of distractions, adjust your expectations and make it easier for your dog to get it right. A well-run group class can be a great place to practice around distractions!
Final Thoughts on DIY Dog Training
DIY dog training is an accessible and rewarding way to strengthen your relationship with your dog while building confidence and good habits. Start with the basics, celebrate small successes, practice in new areas as your dog is ready and turn to a professional trainer for troubleshooting or to explore more advanced skills. Together, these steps can help you raise a well-mannered canine companion you’ll be excited to spend time with.
