Training a young puppy can be frustrating. Help your new pet — and yourself — through the growing pains with these essential puppy training tips.
Author: Caitlin Crittenden
Caitlin Crittenden is owner and head trainer of Life Dog Training. She has studied dog training for nearly 20 years and has helped dogs of all ages learn basic obedience commands, intermediate commands and off-leash commands. She has also helped dogs prepare for service, therapy and emotional support work. Plus, she has taught nearly 100 different tricks, ranging from “play dead” to “bring the food bowl to me.” Caitlin is certified through the SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). She and her husband live in Georgia with their Border Collie, Mack, and their Curly-Coated Retriever, River.
How to Teach Your Dog Hand Signals
Surprisingly, hand signals are often just as easy to teach as verbal commands. Here’s our expert guide to teaching your dog hand signals.
How to Establish Leadership Over a Dog (Without Being a Meanie Pants)
Want training success with your dog? First you need to establish leadership. Here’s how to do that while earning your dog’s trust and respect.
12 Warning Signs That a Dog May Bite
A strange dog startles you. You ask yourself, “Is this dog friendly? Will the dog bite?” Here are the warning signs you should know.
Are These Dogs Fighting or Playing? (Here’s How to Tell, and Stop a Fight.)
Playtime is an important part of a dog’s well-being. There are times, however, when we all want to know, “Are these dogs fighting or playing?”
How to Teach a Puppy to Lie Down on Command
Knowing how to teach “down” will become one of the most useful tools in your training arsenal. Here are some step-by-step instructions.
When Should You Start Puppy Training Classes?
The “socialization window” for puppies is crucial, and it’s not very long. So get started with puppy training classes right after the first DHPP vaccine.
How to Teach a Dog the “Out” Command
There are a number of benefits that make this command worth teaching. Here’s an expert guide to training your dog to obey when you say, “Out.”
How to Train a Dog to Stay Off the Couch: An Expert Guide
This 4-part expert guide will help you keep your furniture free of fur.
How to Train a Dog to Come When Called: An Expert Guide
When you train a dog to come when called, you’re giving your canine buddy the freedom to roam off-leash safely, which gives you peace of mind.
How to Socialize a Shy Dog: An Expert Guide
Start learning how to socialize a shy dog through obedience training, positive association and overall confidence building. Here’s exactly how to do it.
How to Teach a Dog to Fetch
In this expert guide to how to teach a dog to fetch, we cover all 4 parts of the training process.
What Tricks Can I Train My Dog? (12 Fun Dog Tricks to Try Next.)
This expert guide features step-by-step instructions for a dozen different tricks you can teach your dog.
How to Train a Dog Not to Chew on Things
To train your dog not to chew on things they shouldn’t, use a combination of training methods that I’ll teach you in this expert guide.
Is It Ever Too Late to Start Training a Dog?
Done right, training will benefit not only your dog, but also you. Here’s our expert guide to training an older dog.