Master Dog Training: Secrets for a Well-Behaved Companion

Labrador Puppies Training a dog can seem like a daunting task, but with the right techniques, mindset, and consistency, you can transform your furry friend into a well-behaved and respectful companion. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Trip Orwood of LabPups.com has trained thousands of dogs, from Labradors and Golden Retrievers to various doodles, using proven methods that boil down to consistency, persistence, and clear communication.

The Foundation: Your Mindset and Environment

Before you begin, cultivate the right mindset. As the owner, you are the alpha dog, and your dog needs to understand that they are subservient to you. This means making the dog perform commands rather than doing the work for them. Maintain a positive and confident posture, as a dog sensing a lack of confidence might perform poorly.

For optimal training, choose an enclosed space like your backyard or garage. Your house can also be a great environment, as it’s comfortable for the dog and allows you to reinforce commands in a familiar setting where they don’t normally have to perform them. Avoid open, unfenced areas like a front yard for initial training, as distractions can easily derail a session.

You’ll need a few essential tools:

• A prong training collar (ensure it’s properly sized; both ends should touch the center ring when pulled up).
• A 6-foot nylon or leather leash.
• A 50-foot leash or rope for working on distance commands like “sit stay” and “come.”
• Possibly a training check stick for more advanced techniques.
• A remote collar is an option for later, more advanced training modules.

The Core Commands: Sit, Stay, Come, and Heel

These four basic commands form the cornerstone of a well-trained dog.

1. The Sit Command

The goal for “sit” is for your dog to perform the command quickly, ideally within 1 to 3 seconds, with a maximum of 5 seconds before intervention. You’re not expecting them to heel first; simply sit. While dogs may sit in different ways (directly over their haunches or with legs kicked to the side), either is acceptable as long as they perform the command.

Key strategies for teaching “sit”:

• Guiding: If your dog stops too far ahead, pull them back so they are parallel with your legs. Gently tap their paw to prevent them from putting it on your shoe.
• Head Lift and Rear Push: Say “sit” while lifting your dog’s head to maintain their confidence and pushing their rear end down. A dog that dips its head tends to be less confident, which affects performance. This is a crucial “secret” technique.
• Collar and Leash Pressure: You can also pull up on the collar and leash while pushing the rear end down.
• Reinforcing Natural Sits: If you catch your dog naturally sitting, say “sit” and immediately praise them with “good boy” or “good girl.” This reinforces an action they’re already doing and can save you a lot of work.
• Preventing Laying Down: If your dog attempts to lay down after a few seconds, especially in hot weather, you must pull them back up to the sitting position. Never teach your dog that it’s acceptable to not listen or to break from a command. This prevents disobedience.

2. The Stay Command

The “stay” command teaches your dog to remain in one spot when commanded. It often works in conjunction with “sit.”

• Warm-up: Start by walking your dog in a “heel” for 3-5 minutes to get them warmed up and mentally prepared.
• Tethering: Tie your dog to a stationary object, like a fence or tree, using their leash and collar. This secures them in one spot and allows you to control the outcome of the training.
• Increasing Distance and Turning Your Back: Give the “sit and stay” command, then walk away. Initially, count to 3-5 seconds and turn back to face them, reinforcing the command. It’s crucial to train your dog to stay even when your back is turned, as this is the ultimate test of their training and control, as your authority seems to decrease from their perspective.
• Correction: If your dog gets up, immediately say “ah” or “sit down,” discipline them verbally, and walk back to physically guide them to their original spot. It’s vital to reset them to the exact location they were originally.
• Preemptive Action: If your dog consistently breaks the “stay” at a certain distance, anticipate it. As you approach that distance, be ready to give a quick verbal reminder or physical correction before they fully get up.
• Praise: When your dog successfully stays for the desired duration, walk back to them and praise them lavishly for a good job.
• Stealthy Release: When finishing a “stay” session, unclip the leash stealthily and quietly to maintain the illusion that they are still tethered until you give the next command.

3. The Come Command

The “come” command instructs your dog to come straight to you in a straight line and sit down directly in front of you. This sitting position is important as it prepares them for the next command.

• Hand Signal: Typically involves a general hand motion.
• Leash Pressure: When you say “come,” apply gentle pressure on the leash. If your dog resists, pull them towards you. This teaches them to associate the command with the sensation of coming forward.
• Consistency: Make sure your dog comes in a straight line every single time.
• No Premature Praise: Do not praise your dog before they have fully completed the command, especially sitting down in front of you. Praising too early can teach them to stop short of the full command.
• Always Use a Leash Initially: Do not train the “come” command without a leash and collar, especially in the early stages, as it can lead to chasing your dog and setting yourself up for failure. The collar and leash allow for quick and instant correction.

4. The Heel Command

“Heel” is often a favorite command because of its versatility. The dog should be on your left side, keeping pace with you when moving, and sitting down beside you when you stop. They should not be too far in front or behind, nor too far to your left.

• Dog Moves to You: A core principle of heeling is that you make the dog move to you, rather than you moving to the dog. When you say “heel,” the dog should come to your left side and either sit down (if you’re stationary) or keep pace (if you’re moving).
• Tools: Use a prong training collar and a 6-foot leash for the majority of the training process. You can expect off-leash heeling only after the dog has mastered the command, typically after 2-3 weeks of consistent training.
• Keeping Pace: Many puppies tend to surge ahead. Use techniques to teach them to slow down and walk beside you. You can pull up on the training collar, wave a stick in front of their nose, or swing the end of the 6-foot leash in front of their nose. These methods help create an “invisible line” they learn not to cross.
• Versatility: Teach your dog to heel regardless of their starting position relative to you. This reinforces the command and makes your dog much more adaptable.
• Automatic Sit: When you stop walking, your dog should automatically sit down beside you at the heel position, with their legs even with yours and their head typically under your hand.

Reinforcing Commands and Daily Training

The most common question about dog training is how often to train, and the answer is: every time you interact with your dog, you are training them.

• Mealtime Training is Crucial: The most effective way to maintain and reinforce training is to integrate it into your dog’s mealtime, twice a day. Before you give them food, tell them to “sit,” then “stay,” use hand signals, and reinforce with voice commands. Put the food down, say “stay” and pause, then say “okay” for them to eat. After they finish, tell them to “come.” If they don’t perform fully (e.g., not sitting), make them complete the command, then praise. You can even incorporate “heel” at mealtime by guiding your dog into a 180-degree turn to sit beside you after they “come.” This allows you to run through all four basic commands (sit, stay, come, heel) twice daily, building a strong bond and ensuring continuous progress.
• Short, Consistent Sessions: It’s better to train for short periods (15-20 minutes maximum) daily rather than long, infrequent sessions on weekends. Dogs, especially puppies, can get mentally exhausted. When you notice their performance dipping, end the training on a good, positive note where you can praise them, and come back to it later.
• Daily Walks: Take your dog on walks and use it as an opportunity to practice heel, sit, stay, and come commands.

Addressing Common Training Challenges

• Puppy Biting: To stop puppy biting, take their lip and curl it around onto the point of their tooth until they give a little cry. This teaches them how sharp their teeth are and that biting hurts. Do not let them draw blood.
• Mouth Inspection Training: Follow up bite training with mouth inspection training. Gently open their mouth, placing fingers on their teeth (not tongue or gums) to avoid discomfort. Use verbal commands to encourage them to relax. This is vital for giving pills or checking for ingested objects.
• Discipline and Praise: Remember to be firm and correct your dog when they don’t perform, but never forget to lavish praise when they do the right thing. Many owners focus too much on criticism and neglect the vital step of positive reinforcement.
• Clear Commands: Always give commands clearly, enunciating correctly and loudly. Avoid repeating commands multiple times, as this can teach your dog to respond only after hearing it many times. Give the command once, then make the dog perform it.
• Patience: Training takes patience, especially with puppies or older dogs who might have good days and bad days. Don’t get stressed; if a session isn’t going well, end it on a positive note and try again later.

Final Thoughts

Successful dog training boils down to being persistent, consistent, firm, and having lots of patience. When you train your dog to obey and perform commands, it creates a much more enjoyable and respectful relationship. Have fun with the process, celebrate their progress, and enjoy the finished product: a well-trained, obedient, and happy companion.

Source: Excerpts from videos on the YouTube channel “LabPups.com”.