The Ultimate Guide to At-Home Dog Training: A Comprehensive A-Z

Dogs are man’s best friend, and training them can be a rewarding experience for both owner and pet. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to train your dog from the comfort of your own home:

1How to Train Your Dog to Stand

How to Train Your Dog to Stand

Method 1

Hold a treat at your dog’s nose level. Take a step back, luring your dog to follow the treat and stand up. As soon as they stand, say “stand” and reward them. Repeat this process 5-10 times to reinforce the command.

Method 2

When your dog is sitting or lying down, slide your hand under their belly and gently lift upwards, while simultaneously pulling their leash forward. This will encourage them to stand. As they stand, say “stand” and give them a treat. Practice this 10-15 times before giving your dog a break.

2How to Train Your Dog to Sit

How to Train Your Dog to Sit

Sit Command from a Standing Position

Stand in front of your dog and hold a treat above their nose. Slowly move the treat upwards, towards the top of their head, between their ears. Your dog will naturally follow the treat and sit down. As soon as they do, say “sit” and reward them.

Sit Command from a Lying Position

When your dog is lying down, stand in front of them and hold a treat close to their nose. Move the treat upwards, encouraging your dog to follow until they are in a sitting position. As they sit, say “sit” and give them the treat.

Practice this 10-15 times and then give your dog a rest.

3How to Train Your Dog to Lie Down

How to Train Your Dog to Lie Down

Method 1

Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly lower it towards the ground. Your dog will follow the treat with their nose and eventually lie down. As they lie down, say “down” and reward them.

Method 2

Place your hand on your dog’s shoulders and gently press down until they lie down. Repeat this process 10-15 times to help your dog associate the command with the action. Then, give your dog a break.

4How to Train Your Dog to Stay

How to Train Your Dog to Stay

After your dog has sat or stood, wait for 3-4 seconds and then say “stay.” Repeat this process about 4 times before giving your dog a break.

5How to Train Your Dog to Shake Paws

How to Train Your Dog to Shake Paws

Using your left hand, lift your dog’s right paw and say “shake.” With your right hand, give your dog a treat and say “shake” again. Repeat this process about 10 times to help your dog associate the command with the action.

6How to Potty Train Your Dog

How to Potty Train Your Dog

How to Potty Train a Puppy to Use a Toilet

When your puppy has an accident, show your disapproval by acting angry or gently tapping them on the rear. Then, clean up the mess and flush it down the toilet. Restrain your puppy with a leash and take them to the toilet to let them smell their own waste. Repeat this process to create a habit, and eventually, your puppy will learn to use the toilet.

How to Potty Train a Puppy to Use a Tray

Prepare two puppy training trays, preferably larger ones without high sides. Place a pee pad or absorbent mat in the tray to soak up urine. Before using a new mat, soak it with a small amount of your puppy’s urine and place it under the tray. This will help your puppy recognize the smell and encourage them to pee in the designated area.

7

How to Train Your Dog to Attack

The dog owner should hold the leash and stand next to their dog. An assistant should approach, acting unsteady on their feet and shouting, while also hitting the ground with a stick to create a loud noise. The dog owner should then command “Attack!” and release the dog towards the assistant. The assistant should offer their protected hand for the dog to bite, and then let the dog wrestle and win.

8How to Train Your Dog to Protect You

How to Train Your Dog to Protect You

Whether you choose to train your dog at home or at a professional training school, it is important to follow a structured and scientific approach. Your dog should already know basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, lie down, come, roll over, and walk by your side.

Once your dog has mastered these basic commands, you can begin to teach them to protect you. Start by teaching them to bark on command, and then progress to more advanced protection techniques.

9How to Train Your Dog to Guard Your House

Training Your Dog to Guard the House When Visitors Have Weapons

Step 1 Create a scenario and let your dog smell the visitor before they enter. Act angry to indicate to your dog that there is a problem.

Step 2 Argue with the visitor to further indicate to your dog that something is wrong.

Step 3 Search the visitor and take away any weapons. Throw the weapon on the ground in anger, and then push the visitor out. Command your dog to smell the weapon and give a specific command, such as “Attention!”

Step 4 When your dog understands the situation, command them to growl and bark. If the visitor continues to approach, command your dog to bite their clothing. Be sure to prevent your dog from actually hurting the visitor. Repeat this process until your dog understands and remembers this guard dog training exercise.

How to Train Your Dog to Guard Your House

Training Your Dog to Guard the House When Visitors Don’t Have Weapons

Step 1 Allow a visitor to approach without a weapon. Let your dog smell them. If your dog does not allow the visitor to enter, command “They don’t have a knife.” Show your dog a knife to reinforce the command.

Step 2 Approach the visitor normally, and your dog will not bark or growl at them. Repeat this process several times to create a habit. Your dog will learn to be especially cautious and alert when they smell someone with a knife.

With this training, your dog will learn to bark or attack strangers who enter your home without your permission. Additionally, consider teaching your dog to bark when you are away, so they can guard your home and prevent unauthorized entry.

10How to Train Your Dog to Hunt

How to Train Your Dog to Hunt

Use a strong leash and collar to secure your dog to a pole or stake in the ground. Hold a “lure” and move it around to stimulate your dog’s hunting instincts. They will likely try to pounce on the lure. After a few attempts, let your dog catch the lure. Then, gently pull the lure away.

After about a minute, release the lure and let your dog win this game. If you have an assistant, they can encourage your dog by letting them run around with the lure after they catch it.

We hope you found this information helpful. Why not give these training methods a try with your furry friend?