The best way to learn how to train your dog is to use rewards, keep sessions short, and practice a few basic cues every day. Start with sit, down, stay, come, and loose-leash walking. Reward the behavior you want with a small treat, praise, or a toy, and skip punishment. Most dogs learn fastest in five- to 10-minute sessions.
That’s the short version. Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for each cue, the mistakes that slow dogs down, and what to do when your dog just isn’t getting it.
Why Reward-Based Training Works Best
There are plenty of training styles out there, but the experts now agree on one approach. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that only reward-based methods be used for all dog training, including for behavior problems. In a 2025 statement, it said it doesn’t support tools like shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, or leash corrections in any context.
Why does this matter? Rewards teach a dog what to do. Punishment only tells them what not to do, and it can make them scared or confused. A dog that enjoys training also pays more attention, so you’ll make faster progress.
What you’ll need
- Small, soft treats your dog loves (bits of chicken, cheese, or their regular kibble)
- A standard flat collar or harness and a 6-foot leash
- A long leash for practicing recall outdoors
- A quiet room with few distractions
- Five to 10 minutes, once or twice a day
How to Train Your Dog: 5 Basic Cues
The American Kennel Club’s guide to five basic cues is a great starting point. Here’s how to teach each one.
1. Sit
- Hold a treat at your dog’s nose.
- Slowly lift it up and back over their head. Their bottom will drop as they follow it.
- The moment they sit, say “yes” and give the treat.
- After several tries, use an empty hand with the same motion, then add the word “sit.”
2. Down
- Start with your dog sitting or standing.
- Lower a treat from their nose straight to the floor.
- Reward as soon as their elbows touch the ground.
- Fade the treat to a hand signal, then add the word “down.”
3. Stay
First, teach a release word like “free” or “OK,” so your dog knows when the stay ends. Then ask for a sit, wait a second, reward, and release. Slowly build the wait time. If your dog pops up early, make the next stay shorter. Once they can hold it for several seconds, take one step back, return, and reward.
4. Come
Recall can save your dog’s life, so practice it often. Start indoors. Say your dog’s name or “come,” and give a treat each time they turn to you. Then toss a treat away, and call them back once they eat it. Outdoors, use a long leash in a safe, enclosed space until they come back every time.
5. Loose-leash walking
Reward your dog for walking beside your leg. Take a step, and treat as they catch up. If they pull ahead, turn the other way, call them back, and reward when they’re in position. Over time, reward every few steps instead of every step.
Training Tips That Speed Things Up
- Keep it short. AKC suggests five- to 10-minute sessions. A bored dog learns less.
- End on a win. Finish with a cue your dog already knows, then give lots of praise.
- Work on one skill at a time. Mixing too many new things causes confusion.
- Use better treats for harder tasks. Save the best rewards for distracting places.
- Get everyone on the same page. Use the same words and rules for every person in the house.
- Practice in new places. Dogs don’t automatically transfer a skill from the kitchen to the park.
When to start training a puppy
You can start as soon as your puppy comes home, often around 8 weeks old. Socialization matters just as much. AVSAB calls the first three months of life the main window for socialization. It says puppy classes can begin as early as 7 to 8 weeks, as long as the puppy had its first vaccines at least 7 days before class.
Common Dog Training Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Try this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Repeating a cue over and over | Your dog learns to ignore the first ask | Say it once, then help with a lure |
| Yelling or leash jerks | Creates fear and confusion | Reward the right behavior |
| Pushing the dog into position | The dog doesn’t learn to do it alone | Use a treat to guide them |
| Calling “come” for bad things | Recall starts to feel like a trap | Make coming to you always pay off |
| Long, tiring sessions | Frustration for both of you | Several short sessions a day |
Troubleshooting: When Your Dog Isn’t Getting It
It happens to everyone. If your dog seems “stubborn,” the problem is usually the setup, not the dog. AKC suggests slowing down, breaking the step into smaller pieces, or offering a better reward.
Also check the basics. Is your dog tired, hungry, or overexcited? Is the room too busy? Try again later in a calmer spot. And if you’re dealing with fear, aggression, or separation problems, talk to your vet or a certified behavior professional. Those issues need more than basic cues.
Once your dog walks nicely on a leash, outdoor trips get a lot more fun. Our guides to making camping more enjoyable and camping and kayaking have ideas for your next adventure together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to teach a dog?
Most trainers start with “sit,” because it’s easy to teach with a treat and gives your dog a calm default behavior. A release word and name recognition are also great first steps. Once your dog knows sit, it’s much easier to build on it with down, stay, and come.
How long does it take to train a dog?
It depends on the dog, the skill, and how often you practice. Many dogs learn a basic sit in a few short sessions. Reliable recall and loose-leash walking take weeks or months. Short daily practice, five to 10 minutes at a time, usually works better than one long weekly session.
Can you train an older dog?
Yes. Adult and senior dogs can learn new cues at any age. They may need a little more patience, especially if they’ve built habits over time. Use the same reward-based steps, keep sessions short, and watch for pain or stiffness that might make positions like “down” uncomfortable for them.
Are shock collars okay for dog training?
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says no. It recommends reward-based methods only and does not support shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, or leash corrections in any context. Rewards teach dogs what to do without the fear and stress that punishment-based tools can cause.
How many times a day should I train my dog?
One or two short sessions a day works well for most dogs. AKC suggests keeping each session to five to 10 minutes. You can also slip training into daily life, like asking for a sit before meals or walks. Those small moments add up fast and keep training fun.
Start Training Your Dog Today
Learning how to train your dog doesn’t take fancy tools. It takes treats, patience, and a few minutes a day. Start with sit, then add down, stay, come, and loose-leash walking one at a time.
Pick one cue tonight, grab a handful of treats, and do a five-minute session. Then end on a win and try again tomorrow.
This article is for general information. For behavior problems like aggression or severe anxiety, please consult your veterinarian or a certified behavior professional.
