Basic Obedience Training for Puppies: Where to Start

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In the early weeks of bringing home a new puppy, many owners are overwhelmed. There are supplies to shop for, appointments to make, and getting your home ready for a new member of the family. Setting up the right behaviors and expectations during puppyhood is essential, and it starts with puppy obedience training.

There are many factors that go into choosing the right method of obedience training your puppy. When it comes to classes, distance is a consideration; however, convenience shouldn’t be the only factor that influences your decision. Other things like training methods, appropriate classes for your needs, compatibility of the instructor’s personality with yours, and qualifications of the instructor should also play a role. You may even find that if your puppy has adequate opportunities to socialize, he might benefit from personalized training at home.

Puppy Training: Home or Away?

There are benefits to home training and group class training. Some trainers will come to your home and provide private one-on-one training. Some owners opt to train their own dogs. New apps like Zigzag make it easy.

Home training may allow you and your dog to focus more on each other. Group class training helps your dog learn to focus when there are distractions from other dogs.

One benefit of home training is that it is private — you and your personal or tech-based trainer can focus on things you particularly want your dog to learn, while at group classes you may spend time on general issues. In some cases, you may not have any choice but to train at home; remote or rural areas may not have a local training school or club where you can take group classes.

Choosing an Obedience Training Instructor

Most training schools are happy to allow you to attend and observe a class or two to be sure the style of instruction fits with your beliefs (leave your pup at home for this.) Most dogs learn best through positive reinforcement training; rewarding the dog for making the right choice.

When observing a class, take note of the dogs; do they look happy? Relaxed? Excited to work? Is the instructor encouraging dogs and owners? Does the class seem to be run in a safe and effective manner? If you don’t feel comfortable at a particular training school, your dog won’t either, and you’ll be setting your dog up to fail. Keep looking for a school or a method that makes you feel comfortable; both you and your dog will succeed best in this environment.

Trainer vs. Behaviorist

There are some important differences to note between trainers and behaviorists. Behaviorists can also be trainers and/or veterinarians, but not always. Trainers are equipped to handle symptoms, but not necessarily the underlying causes of the symptoms.

Training other behaviors and getting a dog used to being alone, for example, can help reduce separation anxiety. The root cause, however, would likely need to be determined by a behaviorist, who could then refer you to a trainer if he or she was not able to help with the training issues. You can also consider using an app for this issue, such as this free tool.

Some trainers have certifications from training schools or organizations. It’s always prudent to check the qualifications of your trainer, or check references if your trainer is not certified.

Similarly, with digital training tools like dog training apps, check to make sure the content is designed and delivered by credentialed dog trainers. Endorsements by credible behavioral associations are also a plus.

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluators are a unique set of dog-training professionals. AKC CGC Evaluators are authorized by the AKC to evaluate dogs for the ten-step AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Types of Obedience Training Classes

There are many types of classes available at different training schools. The schools’ trainers should be able to help you determine which class best meets the needs of you and your dog.

Most schools have a series of puppy classes, starting for puppies as young as eight weeks, and training can progress through AKC STAR Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, and advanced obedience classes.

Puppies and owners who complete at least six weeks of class and meet various other basic training and care-taking requirements earn the AKC STAR Puppy certification. The CGC certification is a bit more rigorous and shows that your dog has obedience training and is under control around other people and dogs.

Many schools also offer dog sports classes that you can advance to after basic obedience training, including competition obedience, agility, AKC Rally, tricks, and Flyball.. You can earn titles in these sports if you and your dog like to compete.

Using a Training App

Dog owners now have more tools available to them today, including phone-based technology. Training apps can be extremely helpful as an additional resource for dogs and owners who are taking classes, or even for those who cannot find a class or trainer to fit their schedule.

Bite-sized mini lessons from apps like Zigzag allow you to train your puppy with worthwhile lifeskills without losing their attention. You can use the app’s videos, tips, tools, and 24/7 online support to help with all of the things that may come up as a new puppy owner.

A good training app will do more than just teach you how to train your dog. An app that includes information about dog behavior, socialization, and body language will set you up to understand your dog’s motivations and challenges. The Zigzag app offers a learning library addressing topics such as nipping, barking, being alone, adolescence, body language and more. The subscription comes with access to a live trainer, so you can be sure to stay on schedule and have help at the ready as needed.

Recognize Common Dog Training Problems

Behaviors like jumping on you as a gesture of affection, nipping at your hands as an invitation to play, and sniffing you in inappropriate places are all perfectly acceptable behaviors for dogs to do to other dogs.

However, in the human world, these behaviors are not OK. Remember your dog was born knowing only how to be a dog. If you want him to live successfully in the human world, you must first teach him what is acceptable. This is easiest done with a puppy, but older dogs can learn, too.

Be consistent

If jumping on you is not OK when you’re wearing nice work slacks, then the same rules must be enforced when you’re wearing old clothes to work in the yard.

Don’t forget rewards

When your dog bites at your hands, he wants attention. He wasn’t born programmed to know that you want him to sit and ask nicely for attention, so you have to teach him. Instead of scolding him, ask him to sit. When he complies, reward him with a food treat, lavish praise and petting on him, or offer a game of fetch or tug. Training treats are great for teaching obedience to puppies through positive reward training.

Remember, a quiet dog is easy to ignore, but that’s the time when you should be praising him. If your dog gets your attention only when he jumps on you or bites at you, what is he going to continue to do?

Obedience is for all dogs

Obedience exercises are important for all dogs, especially high-energy breeds that need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Simple behaviors like sit, down, stay, come, and leave it are essential for a well-behaved pet. You can challenge your dog even more by teaching him more advanced behaviors like “go to place,” formal heeling, roll over, etc. The old adage — a tired dog is a good dog — is not incorrect. However, a mentally and physically tired dog is even better.

Where to Find a Dog Obedience Trainer

There are many resources for seeking dog trainers, including AKC Training Clubs and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators. Another great resource? Friends and neighbors who own well-behaved dogs. Next time you’re out for a walk and you notice a model canine walking nicely with its owner, stop and ask where the dog was trained. There may be some little-known training facility just down the street from you!

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