How to Train a Puppy — 10 Tips

Make house rules before you bring your new dog home.

My house rules are:

• No begging for food
• No jumping on people
• No pets in the kitchen (for safety)
• The dog doesn’t get to play with the cat’s toys

Be consistent with your rules! If they’re not allowed on the couch now, they’re not allowed on the couch ever.

Be calm, yet assertive.

Dogs respond best to calm, firm voices. It’s not about the pitch of your voice, but the intent. When you are trying to instruct your dog, use the same voice you would use when instructing a child: normal volume, assertive, and sure.

Use baby gates and boxes to block off areas.

This is especially useful if you want to teach your dog not to go in certain areas or if you have cats and want to give them a safe place to run to while your dog is still learning how to play. If you have a puppy who can’t go up and down stairs safely yet, baby gates could save your pup’s life! Use them!

Don’t get mad at your dog.

Yelling won’t make your dog listen to you. At best, it will confuse them. At worst, it will make them fear you. Instead, CLAP to distract from bad behavior, then reward when they stop. Dogs are like five-year olds; they are easily distracted and very easy to teach.

Teach ‘go home’ early.

Use this to send them to their bed or crate. This is super helpful for many reasons:

• It gives your dog their own spot
• You can use it when visitors arrive
• It’s a great way to calm your dog
• If you’re feeling impatient, you can send your dog home to give yourself time to cool off

Tired dogs are well-behaved dogs! Train and exercise often.

Having trouble getting your dog to learn new tricks? Take them for a walk first.

Notice your dog is being a bit belligerent? Walk.

Have company coming and want your dog to be relaxed and not jump all over them? Loooong walk!

Whenever anyone presents a major dog problem to me, whether it’s incessant barking or jumping or nervous urination, I ask them the same question: How often do you walk your dog? Trust me. Nothing bonds you and your dog more than daily walks.

Make your dog’s crate a fun and safe zone with treats and toys.

First impressions are important, though not everything. Ideally you want to teach your dog that it’s fun to go into their own home. You want them to get used to going home whenever they feel stressed, tired, or scared. Use treats to get them to go into their crate initially and continue giving them treats whenever you see them enter the crate themselves.

Their crate is their safe place. Never reach in and pull your dog out of their crate, always entice them to you. That is their home.

Likewise, if your dog gets stressed out by a storm, wants to take a nap, or is just feeling overwhelmed, it’s important for them to know they can always go to their happy, safe place.

For dogs that pull, a front-latch harness helps.

A front-latch harness forces your dog to look at you whenever you pull on them. This will very quickly teach them to stop pulling because pulling will just cause them problems.

For some personality types, front-latch harnesses might not be the best option. Check out my comprehensive guide to choosing the right collar.

Socialize, socialize!

Socialize your dog with people of all colors, ages, and sizes. Socialize your dog with other dogs and cats (carefully if necessary!). Diverse socialization leads to a calm dog in any situation. ‘Nuff said.

Say ‘go potty’ every time your dog starts to potty outside, and reward.

Soon your dog will be able to go on command! It’s very convenient when you’re rushing or too tired to play.

It’s also a great way to encourage them to go only where you want, like on the grass, gravel, or their own unique potty spot that you created.