The 15 Best Dog Training Tips & Exercises

Key Takeaways

• What is dog training? Dog training teaches your dog essential behaviors like "sit" and "down." It strengthens your bond and improves communication.
• Why does it matter? Training builds obedience and impulse control, deepens trust, and makes everyday life together easier and more enjoyable.
• When should you start? As early as the puppy stage with simple commands and positive reinforcement. Patience and consistency are everything.
• Key training methods: Use consistent commands, hand signals, praise, and treats. Minimize distractions and keep sessions short.
• What's in it for you? A well-trained dog is obedient, safe, and happy -- which makes your daily routine a whole lot smoother.

What Is Dog Training?

Sit!... Down!... Roll over!... Shake!... Dog training is the process of teaching your dog specific behaviors. That can mean simple commands like "sit," "down," or "come here." But it can also involve bigger behavioral changes -- for example, if your dog is fearful in certain situations or showing too much aggression.

The goal of dog training is a healthy, happy, and well-behaved dog. Training improves communication between you and your dog, strengthens your bond, and makes life together easier and more enjoyable. Positive reinforcement is one of the most common approaches. This simply means rewarding your dog when they do something right -- whether that's a treat, verbal praise, or a quick game.

There are many types of dog training: obedience training, agility, dog sports, service dog training, and more. Every training approach should be tailored to your individual dog's needs and abilities. One important thing to understand: dog training isn't a one-time event. It's an ongoing process that takes consistency, patience, and understanding. It's also a wonderful way to spend quality time with your dog and get to know them better.

Why Dog Training Is Important

There are so many tricks you can teach your dog. And the best part? You'll both have a blast doing it. You can work on all kinds of skills with your dog. The most important ones include obedience and impulse control. But learning fun tricks can be just as rewarding for both of you.

There are plenty of reasons why dog training is worth your time. For starters, your dog actually listens to you. After training, they won't pull on the leash, they'll respond to your commands, and they may even nail commands like "sit," "down," and "shake." Training also strengthens your bond and builds mutual trust.

Dog training should be fun for both of you. Your dog gets physical exercise, stays mentally sharp, and you get to spend meaningful time together. And here's a nice bonus: a well-trained dog has the foundation to react appropriately in tough situations.

When Can I Start Dog Training?

You can start training as soon as your dog comes home -- usually when puppies are 8 to 12 weeks old. At this age, they're especially curious and eager to learn, which makes everything easier. Begin with simple commands like "sit," "down," or "stay." Positive reinforcement is key. Always reward your dog when they get it right, whether it's a treat or some enthusiastic praise.

Keep in mind that puppies have short attention spans. Keep sessions brief and fun. Several short training sessions throughout the day work way better than one long marathon. And remember: patience is everything. Every dog is different, and some pick things up faster than others. Always be kind and patient during training. It should be a positive experience for both of you.

Once your dog has the basics down and is old enough, you can move on to more advanced work like obedience training or agility. But the most important thing? Make sure you and your dog are enjoying it!

To help practice go smoothly, here are some important tips and tricks. At the end, you'll also find exercises to level up your training:

10 Things to Keep in Mind During Training

#1. Start Training at the Puppy Stage

Give your dog a solid foundation from the start. Obedience is especially important early on. The younger your dog, the easier they are to train.

Puppies have more energy and a natural drive to move. That's why training with young dogs is twice the fun. But don't worry if your dog is already grown. You can absolutely teach an older dog new tricks.

#2. Be Consistent, but Not Harsh

Always remember: during training, you're the leader. You give the commands and decide which exercises to work on.

If you're wishy-washy during exercises, your dog probably won't respond at all. You need to be clear and decisive. That said, keep your tone friendly. You want to build trust with your dog, and they should enjoy the training.

#3. Use a Different Tone for Commands Than in Everyday Life

If you give commands in the same voice you use for everything else, your dog probably won't catch on. Dogs don't understand our language the way we do.

The specific words don't matter as much as you'd think. Dogs distinguish between commands based on your tone and rhythm. Keep your command words short and clear. Just make sure you don't sound too harsh.

#4. Hand Signals Support Verbal Commands

Since dogs don't understand our words, gestures help them grasp commands more easily.

Eventually, it can work even without words. Plus, combining verbal commands with hand signals speeds up learning -- your dog picks up on commands much faster.

#5. Repeat Their Name

If you keep saying your dog's name during training, they'll learn it faster.

Over time, they'll understand that you're talking to them. Before long, they'll respond to their name consistently. This builds a stronger bond of trust.

#6. Give Plenty of Praise

How is your dog supposed to know they did a good job if you don't show it? Dogs thrive on any attention they get from you.

You're their anchor during training. That's why it's so motivating when you make them feel good. Praise is essential for keeping your dog engaged and making progress. Don't forget to praise them after training too.

#7. Reward with Treats

Treats are especially important at the beginning of training. When your dog gets a treat right after nailing an exercise, they connect the behavior with something positive -- and they'll want to do it again.

After all, they're hoping for a reward every time. That's how you keep their full attention during training. Of course, you can't hand out treats for everything forever. But even after your dog has the basics down, toss them a treat now and then to keep things positive.

Which Treats Are Best for Training?

For dog training, go with small, soft treats. They should be easy to chew and swallow so you don't break the flow of your session. Here are some pointers:

• Size: Treats should be small enough for your dog to eat quickly. If they have to stop and chew for a while, it disrupts the training rhythm.
• Taste: Pick treats your dog goes crazy for. Every dog is different -- some love meat, others prefer cheese or fish. Try a few options to figure out your dog's favorite.
• Quality: Check the ingredient list. Go for healthy treats with no harmful additives. Natural ingredients are always the way to go.
• Variety: Mix things up from time to time. Using different treats keeps your dog interested and engaged.
• Timing: Use treats only as a reward during training. Don't hand them out randomly, or they'll lose their motivational power.

Keep in mind that treats have calories. If you're using a lot of treats during training, cut back a little on your dog's regular meals to prevent weight gain.

What Are High-Value Treats?

High-value treats are special rewards you save for particularly impressive behavior or performance. They're usually tastier and more exciting to your dog than everyday training treats.

The idea is that these treats are rare and special, which gives your dog extra motivation. Think small pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dog -- whatever makes your dog light up. Even with high-value treats, keep nutrition in mind. They should be free of harmful additives and not loaded with fat or sugar.

While high-value treats can be incredibly effective, use them sparingly. They're a reward, not a meal. As with all treats, they should fit within a balanced diet and not lead to weight gain.

#8. Keep a Consistent Routine

Changing up an exercise from session to session isn't productive. It just confuses your dog. They won't know what's expected and they'll learn more slowly.

Pick a fixed sequence and stick with it every time. For example, give the command along with the hand signal. When your dog completes the exercise, praise them and give them a treat.

Praise them immediately after they finish -- don't wait. Otherwise, they won't make the connection between the action and the reward. It also helps to give the hand signal and verbal command at the same time. This makes it crystal clear for your dog what you're asking.

#9. Avoid Distractions

Training is way more effective when your dog isn't distracted. Cars, other dogs, and random noises are all way more interesting than training. But your dog needs full focus for the exercises. Pick a quiet spot for training, like an open field or a secluded walking path.

Once your dog has the exercises down pat, gradually introduce distractions. After all, they need to be able to follow commands out in the real world too.

#10. Don't Train Too Long at Once

This is especially important with young dogs -- don't overwhelm them. Train in short bursts, but do it more often. If you go too long, their attention fades and they lose interest in the whole thing.

Now you know what to focus on during training. But which exercises should you try, and how do you get started?

There are tons of different ways to train your dog and teach them tricks. Below, I've picked some that are easy enough for beginners to jump right into. Near streets and people, always keep your dog on a leash. The risk is just too high otherwise.

But when you're on a quiet, secluded path, your dog will love the chance to explore on their own. This only works if they listen to your commands and don't wander too far. This exercise is easiest with puppies. Older dogs often have habits that are tough to break.

It's especially important to practice in quiet areas. When people or other animals are nearby, the temptation to chase after them is just too strong. When you're confident nothing will distract your dog, go ahead and let them off the leash. Then just go for a normal walk together.

This is new and exciting for your dog. And because they're so curious, they'll either sprint way ahead of you or catch an interesting scent and fall behind. Keep calling their name so they come back to you. If they still don't come, just keep walking. Don't stop. Don't look back.

You can even hide somewhere and then call their name. Your dog will immediately start searching for you. Being alone makes them uneasy, and they'll want to be close to you again. When they find you, they'll be thrilled. Praise them for it. They'll remember this and won't stray as far next time.

The prerequisite for this exercise is that your dog already responds to "sit" and "down." Most dogs pick these up quickly. Walk a few steps with your dog, then stop. Give them the "sit" command first.

The "down" command works here too. Once they hold it for a few seconds, reward them. On the next attempt, add the "stay" command. Hold your flat hand out in front of you.

Now carefully take a few steps back and repeat the command. If your dog stays put and doesn't immediately jump up, definitely reward them. At first, your dog probably won't get this one. They don't understand why they should just sit there.

After all, they want to be with you! But if you keep practicing and rewarding them, they'll catch on quickly. Over time, increase the distance. Take it step by step -- don't go too far at first.

Eventually, your dog will stay calmly in place even when you're out of sight.

What's no big deal with a small dog looks totally different with a Great Dane or a Boxer.

Your visitor probably won't be thrilled when a 110-pound dog launches at them. Plus, it's a matter of obedience -- your dog shouldn't be jumping on people. Especially young, high-energy dogs love to jump up. If you always greet your puppy at their level by crouching down, they won't feel the need to jump.

If they still try, gently push them away. If that doesn't work, walk away. This shows them their behavior isn't getting them what they want. With older or larger dogs, step to the side when they jump at you. They'll jump right past you and land on nothing.

Always turn away or ignore them. If they jump on visitors or strangers on the street, keep them on a leash as a precaution. Over time, your dog figures out that jumping up gets them nowhere. They get ignored every time, so they stop doing it.

This exercise takes more time than the ones above, but it's also a lot more fun for your dog. The tricky part about fetch is that your dog can't treat the object like a toy. Their job is to bring it back and release it to you.

You probably know the drill: your dog brings the ball back but won't let go, or takes off running with it. That's not what fetch is about. Good objects for fetching include sticks, toys, or a treat pouch. The treat pouch naturally gives your dog extra motivation.

Start by placing objects at a short distance. Later, you can throw them. Then ask your dog to go get it. If they don't understand yet, walk over to the object with them and point it out. Practice this until it clicks.

It's best to start fetching indoors and then move outside. Once your dog is a pro, you can hide objects too -- they'll love it. Here's an important element of dog training that most people overlook. When you give a command like "sit," "down," or "stay," your dog should follow it.

But what happens next? If you never release the command, your dog will eventually break it on their own. That's why you should always release every command after a set amount of time -- use a word like "OK" or "free." The key is teaching your dog that you give the command and you decide when it ends. Take this tip to heart. It'll make your everyday life with your dog so much easier. Prefer a more visual approach? Our app offers step-by-step video tutorials to help you train your dog. Discover the Hundeo dog training app

Equipment for Dog Training

For dog training, you'll need some basic gear to make sessions effective and enjoyable for both of you:

• Leash and collar or harness: Essential for safely guiding and controlling your dog during training.
• Treats: Your go-to tool for rewarding good behavior and keeping your dog motivated.
• Toys: Toys can double as rewards or motivation, especially if your dog is super playful.
• Clicker: A clicker lets you mark the exact moment your dog does something right, making it easier to follow up with a reward.
• Training mat or blanket: Useful for teaching your dog a designated "place" to sit or lie down during training.
• Treat pouch: A treat pouch clips to your belt or waistband so you always have rewards within reach during sessions.
• Water and a bowl: For longer training sessions, make sure your dog has access to fresh water.
• Patience and a positive attitude: These aren't physical tools, but they might be the most important "gear" for successful dog training. Remember that every training plan should be adapted to your dog's individual needs and abilities. What works for one dog might not work for another. It may take some experimenting to figure out what clicks best for your dog.

Cost of Dog Training

The cost of dog training can vary a lot, depending on the type of training, your location, the trainer's experience, and the length of the course. A group class at a dog training school typically runs between $100 and $200 for a multi-week course. Private sessions with a professional trainer can cost $50 to $100 per hour -- sometimes more, depending on the trainer and the specific training involved.

Online courses, apps, or books on dog training are often more affordable and can be a great option if you want to learn at your own pace. They typically range from $20 to $100. There are also plenty of free resources -- videos and articles online -- that can help you learn the fundamentals of dog training.

Keep in mind that cost is just one piece of the puzzle. What matters most is that the trainer is qualified and uses methods that work for you and your dog. Good training is an investment in the future and can bring you and your dog many years of happiness.

How Do Dogs Learn Commands Fastest?

Dogs learn commands fastest when you immediately pair the correct behavior with something positive, like a treat. This conditions your dog to perform the command reliably.

When Is the Best Time to Train My Dog?

Pick a quiet spot for training -- the time of day doesn't really matter. Just make sure you don't overwhelm your dog. Train in short sessions, but do them more often throughout the day.

How Often Should I Train with My Dog?

You can train your dog multiple times a day. Three times a day is a solid starting point. Depending on how focused your dog is, you can adjust up or down. Try to keep each session under 15 minutes.

Conclusion

Dog training is a key part of your dog's development. With the right exercises, you don't just build obedience and teach fun tricks -- you also have a great time together and strengthen your relationship.

To make training go well, keep a few things in mind:

• Use hand signals alongside verbal commands.
• Rewards and praise boost learning and keep your dog motivated.
• Stick to a consistent routine and minimize distractions during training. If you put these tips into practice and work through the right exercises with your dog, you're set for successful training. Just remember -- fun always comes first!

For even more tips and training ideas, I recommend the Hundeo App.