How to Train Your Dog: Complete Guide for Beginners

Getting a new dog is exciting. But let's be honest - those first few weeks can feel overwhelming. Your pup might be jumping on guests, having accidents indoors, or pulling you down the street during walks. You are not alone in this.

Training your dog is not about creating a perfect robot. It is about building a relationship where you both understand each other. A well-trained dog feels happier, safer, and more confident. And you get to enjoy life together without constant stress.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know as a beginner. We will keep things simple and practical, just like having a chat with a friend who has been through it all before.

 

Why Dog Training Actually Matters

Before we jump into the how, let's talk about the why. Training is not just about teaching tricks to impress your neighbors.

Your dog's safety depends on it. A dog who comes when called will not run into traffic. A dog who knows "leave it" will not eat something poisonous at the park. These commands can literally save your dog's life one day.

Training builds confidence. Dogs who understand what you want from them feel more secure. They are not constantly guessing or feeling anxious about whether they are doing the right thing.

It strengthens your bond. Those training sessions become special time you spend together. Your dog learns to trust you, and you learn to understand your dog better.

Life becomes easier for everyone. A trained dog can join you more places. They can meet your friends without jumping all over them. They can walk nicely on a lead without dragging you into bushes.

 

Understanding How Your Dog Actually Learns

Dogs do not think like humans. This might seem obvious, but it is important to remember when you are training.

Your dog learns through association. When something good happens after they do something, they want to do it again. When something unpleasant happens, they try to avoid that behaviour.

Here is what makes dogs different from us:

They live in the moment. Your dog does not remember chewing your shoes yesterday and feel guilty about it. If you come home to a mess and get angry, your dog just knows you are upset right now. They cannot connect it to what they did hours ago.

Body language matters more than words. Your dog watches your movements, posture, and facial expressions more carefully than they listen to your words. This is why staying calm and using clear hand signals works so well.

They have amazing noses but shorter memories. Your dog can smell things you cannot even imagine. But they might forget what you taught them if you only practise in one room. They need to learn that "sit" means sit everywhere, not just in the kitchen.

Repetition is everything. Dogs learn through practice. Doing something once will not stick. You need to repeat behaviours many times before they become habits.

 

What You Will Need Before Starting

You do not need fancy equipment to train your dog. Here are the basics:

Treats your dog actually loves. Small, soft treats work best. Think about the size of a pea. You will be giving lots of them, so you do not want huge biscuits. Many dogs go mad for small pieces of chicken, cheese, or sausage. Keep some boring treats for easy tasks and save the really good stuff for harder commands.

A comfortable collar or harness. Make sure it fits properly. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. For dogs who pull, a front-clip harness gives you better control without hurting them.

A standard lead. A 1.5 to 2 metre lead works perfectly for training. Avoid retractable leads when you are teaching commands because they make it harder to communicate clearly.

A clicker (optional). This small device makes a clicking sound that marks the exact moment your dog does something right. Some people love them. Others prefer just saying "yes" in a happy voice. Both work fine.

Patience and a good mood. This might sound silly, but it is the most important thing. If you are frustrated or rushed, your training session will not go well. Wait until you feel calm and ready.

 

Setting Up for Success

Pick the right time and place. Start in a quiet room at home with no distractions. Not when the telly is on. Not when other people are walking around. Just you and your dog in a boring space.

Your dog should be interested but not starving. Training before meals often works well because your dog is motivated by food but still able to focus.

Keep sessions short. Aim for 5 to 10 minutes, especially at first. Your dog's brain gets tired. Better to do three short sessions throughout the day than one long, exhausting one.

End on a positive note. Always finish with something your dog already knows and can do easily. This keeps them feeling good about training and excited for next time.

 

The Golden Rules of Dog Training

These principles apply to everything you will teach your dog.

Reward immediately. You have about one second to reward your dog after they do the right thing. Any longer and they might not connect the reward to what they did. This is why treats need to be ready in your pocket, not across the room.

Use the same words every time. Pick one word for each command and stick to it. Say "come" every time, not "come here" one day and "here boy" the next day. Your dog will learn faster with consistency.

Say the command once. Do not repeat yourself. If you say "sit, sit, sit," your dog learns they do not have to listen the first time. Say it once, then help them do it, then reward.

Never punish mistakes. Punishment creates fear and confusion. If your dog does not do what you asked, they either do not understand yet or something is distracting them. Just try again more simply.

Everyone in the household needs to follow the same rules. If you do not allow the dog on the sofa but your partner does, your dog will be confused. Family meetings about training rules really help.

Practice in different places. Once your dog can sit in your living room, try it in the garden. Then on a quiet street. Then at the park. Dogs do not automatically understand that "sit" means the same thing everywhere.

 

Teaching the Basic Commands

Now for the actual training. We will cover the essential commands every dog should know.

How to Teach "Sit"

This is usually the easiest command and a great place to start.

Step 1: Hold a treat close to your dog's nose. Let them smell it but not eat it yet.

Step 2: Slowly move the treat up and back over their head. As their nose goes up to follow the treat, their bottom will naturally go down.

Step 3: The moment their bottom touches the floor, say "sit" and give them the treat immediately. Add lots of praise in a happy voice.

Step 4: Repeat this several times. After a while, start saying "sit" just as they are about to sit down.

Common mistakes beginners make:

• Holding the treat too high, which makes the dog jump instead of sit
• Moving too fast so the dog backs up instead
• Waiting too long to give the reward
• Pushing the dog's bottom down (this can make some dogs resistant)

Troubleshooting: If your dog keeps jumping up, hold the treat closer to their nose. If they back away, practice with your back to a wall so they cannot reverse.

Timeline: Most dogs can sit reliably in one room within a few days. Give it two to three weeks before they will sit in distracting places like the park.

How to Teach "Stay"

"Stay" teaches your dog self-control. It builds on "sit" so make sure your dog has that down first.

Step 1: Ask your dog to sit.

Step 2: Hold your hand up in a "stop" signal and say "stay" in a calm voice.

Step 3: Wait just two seconds. If your dog stays sitting, reward them while they are still sitting.

Step 4: Gradually increase the time. Go from two seconds to five seconds to ten seconds over several sessions.

Step 5: Once your dog can stay for 30 seconds, start adding distance. Take one step back, return, and reward. Then two steps. Build up slowly.

Common mistakes:

• Moving away too quickly before your dog understands
• Calling your dog to come to you for the reward (this teaches them to break the stay)
• Getting frustrated when they break the stay early

Troubleshooting: If your dog keeps breaking the stay, you are moving too fast. Go back to shorter times or less distance. Some dogs find this command harder than others. That is normal.

Timeline: Expect to spend two to three weeks before your dog can stay reliably for a minute. Adding distractions will take another few weeks of practice.

How to Teach "Come"

This might be the most important command. A reliable recall keeps your dog safe.

Step 1: Start in a hallway or small room where your dog cannot wander off.

Step 2: Get down to your dog's level. Act excited and happy.

Step 3: Say your dog's name followed by "come" in an enthusiastic voice.

Step 4: As they move towards you, keep encouraging them with a happy voice.

Step 5: When they reach you, reward them immediately with treats and praise. Make it the best thing ever.

Step 6: Once they get this, practice from farther away. Then add distractions gradually.

Important tip: Never call your dog to come and then do something they hate (like giving them a bath or putting them in the crate). They will learn that "come" means bad things. If you need to do something unpleasant, go get your dog instead of calling them.

Common mistakes:

• Sounding angry or frustrated when calling (this makes dogs avoid you)
• Only practising indoors where there are no distractions
• Calling repeatedly when your dog ignores you (this teaches them the command is meaningless)

Troubleshooting: If your dog ignores "come," make yourself more interesting. Run away from them. Sit on the ground. Make funny noises. Dogs cannot resist investigating exciting humans. Practice on a long lead at first in outdoor spaces so they cannot ignore you completely.

Timeline: Basic recall in the house might take a week. Reliable recall outdoors with distractions is a months-long process. Keep practising throughout your dog's life.

How to Teach "Down"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Down" means lie down completely, with elbows on the floor. Some dogs find this harder because lying down is a vulnerable position.

Step 1: Start with your dog sitting.

Step 2: Hold a treat in front of their nose, then slowly move it straight down to the floor.

Step 3: Your dog's nose should follow the treat down. As their front legs start to slide forward, move the treat slightly away from them along the floor.

Step 4: When their elbows touch the floor, say "down" and give the treat immediately.

Step 5: If they stand up instead, lure them back to sitting and try again with slower movements.

Common mistakes:

• Moving the treat too far forward too fast
• Getting impatient and pushing the dog down
• Accidentally teaching "sit" again by holding the treat too high

Troubleshooting: If your dog keeps standing up, try luring them under a low chair where they have to crouch down. Or sit on the floor and lure them under your bent knee.

Timeline: This can take one to two weeks to get consistent, depending on your dog's personality.

How to Teach "Leave It"

This command stops your dog from picking up something dangerous or chasing something they should not.

Step 1: Put a boring treat in your closed hand.

Step 2: Let your dog sniff, lick, and paw at your hand. Wait.

Step 3: The moment they stop trying and pull away, say "yes" and give them a different, better treat from your other hand.

Step 4: Repeat until they stop going for your closed hand quickly.

Step 5: Now put a treat on the floor and cover it with your hand. Say "leave it." When they back off, reward with a better treat.

Step 6: Gradually make it harder by not covering the treat with your hand, increasing distance, and practising with more tempting items.

Common mistakes:

• Saying "leave it" over and over (say it once and then wait)
• Giving them the item they were supposed to leave (they should always get a different reward)
• Moving too fast to difficult temptations

Troubleshooting: If your dog cannot resist, make it easier by using less interesting items. Work up to food, toys, and then real-world temptations like food on the pavement.

Timeline: Basic "leave it" with treats takes about a week. Applying it to real situations like squirrels or dropped food is an ongoing process.

How to Teach Loose Lead Walking

This is not exactly a command, but it is crucial for enjoyable walks.

The goal: Your dog walks beside you with a loose lead, not pulling.

Step 1: Start in your garden or a quiet street.

Step 2: Hold treats in the hand closest to your dog.

Step 3: Start walking. Every few steps, give your dog a treat while they are walking nicely beside you.

Step 4: If your dog pulls ahead, stop walking immediately. Do not move forward while the lead is tight.

Step 5: Wait for them to come back or look at you. The moment the lead goes loose, start walking again.

Step 6: Reward frequently at first (every few steps). Gradually reward less often as your dog gets better.

Common mistakes:

• Yanking the lead to correct pulling
• Moving forward while the dog pulls (this rewards pulling)
• Not practising enough in boring places before trying busy streets

Troubleshooting: If your dog pulls constantly, you might need to take a few steps backwards every time they pull. This becomes boring for them quickly. Front-clip harnesses also help a lot.

Timeline: This is one of the hardest skills. Give yourself two to three months before walks feel comfortable. Some dogs take longer, especially if they have been pulling for years.

 

Training Tips That Actually Work

Use your dog's meals for training. Instead of just putting food in a bowl, use some of their daily portions as training treats. This keeps their weight healthy and makes normal kibble more valuable during practice.

Train before walks, not after. A tired dog is a happy dog, but an exhausted dog cannot focus on learning. Do training when your dog has some energy but is not bouncing off walls.

Watch your body language. Stand up straight and be calm. If you are tense and anxious, your dog will be too. Dogs are amazing at reading human emotions.

Take breaks during training. Every few repetitions, release your dog to go sniff or play for a minute. This prevents them from getting frustrated or bored.

Practice in real life. Ask for a sit before putting the food bowl down. Ask for a down before throwing a toy. Make training part of everyday activities instead of formal sessions only.

Keep a training diary. Jot down what you worked on and how it went. This helps you see progress, especially on days when you feel stuck.

 

Dealing with Common Problems

Even with good training, dogs do things we wish they would not. Here is how to handle common issues.

Jumping Up on People

Dogs jump because it works. They want attention, and jumping gets it (even if it is negative attention).

What to do: When your dog jumps, turn your back and ignore them completely. No talking, no eye contact, no pushing them down. Wait until all four paws are on the floor, then reward with attention. Ask guests to do the same thing. Consistency is everything here.

Barking Too Much

Dogs bark for different reasons - boredom, fear, excitement, or alerting you to something.

What to do: Figure out why your dog is barking. Bored dogs need more exercise and mental stimulation. Fearful dogs need confidence building. For alert barking, teach a "quiet" command by rewarding silence after a few barks. Never yell at a barking dog because they think you are barking too.

Pulling on the Lead

We covered this earlier, but it is worth repeating: never move forward when the lead is tight.

What to do: Be patient and consistent. Stop every single time your dog pulls. Yes, your first walks will be slow. But within a few weeks, you will see improvement. Consider a front-clip harness or head collar for strong pullers.

Chewing Everything

Puppies chew because they are teething. Adult dogs chew because they are bored or anxious.

What to do: Give appropriate chew toys and make them exciting. Rotate toys so they stay interesting. If you catch your dog chewing something wrong, calmly take it away and give them a proper toy instead. Praise them for chewing the right thing. Never chase your dog around trying to grab things - this becomes a fun game.

Accidents in the House

Puppies cannot hold it long. Adult dogs might have accidents due to medical issues, incomplete training, or anxiety.

What to do: Take your dog out frequently - after waking up, after eating, after playing, and before bed. Stay outside until they go, then reward immediately. Clean accidents with enzyme cleaner so the smell does not attract them back. Never punish accidents. If house training is not working after a few weeks, see your vet to rule out medical problems.

 

Puppy Training vs Adult Dog Training

The basics are the same, but there are some differences.

Puppies under 6 months:

• Have very short attention spans (3 to 5 minutes maximum)
• Learn quickly but forget quickly too
• Need more frequent repetition
• Cannot hold their bladder long
• Are easily distracted by everything

Adult dogs:

• Can focus for longer (10 to 15 minutes)
• Might have learned bad habits already
• Take longer to change existing behaviours
• Can usually pick up new commands faster once they understand you are teaching them

The good news: Dogs of any age can learn. Adult dogs might take a bit longer to unlearn old habits, but they are often calmer and more focused than puppies once they understand what you want.

 

When to Get Professional Help

Sometimes you need support beyond online guides. Here are signs you should contact a professional dog trainer:

• Your dog shows aggression (growling, snapping, biting)
• Extreme fear or anxiety that affects daily life
• Destructive behaviour despite trying everything
• You feel overwhelmed and do not know where to start
• Your dog is not making progress after several weeks
• Problems are getting worse instead of better

Look for trainers who use positive, reward-based methods. Avoid anyone who talks about "dominance," "pack leader," or uses choke chains and shock collars. At Buggaz.com, we believe in kind, science-based training that builds trust.

 

UK-Specific Training Considerations

Training in the UK comes with some unique aspects.

Weather challenges: British weather means training outdoors can be tricky. Practise recall in your garden before trying the park. On rainy days, focus on indoor training.

Public spaces: Many UK parks have off-lead areas, but your dog needs solid recall first. Start in enclosed tennis courts or hire a secure field before trying wide-open spaces.

Breed-specific laws: Be aware of restrictions around certain breeds in public spaces. Always keep control of your dog regardless of breed.

Urban training: Many UK homes have small gardens or no outdoor space. This is fine. You can teach most commands indoors. Use hallways for recall practice and living rooms for sits and downs.

 

Making Training Stick Long-Term

Training is not something you do for a few weeks and then stop. Think of it like learning a language - if you never practise, you forget.

Keep practising basics regularly. Even when your dog knows a command perfectly, review it a few times a week. This prevents skills from getting rusty.

Reward randomly. Once a behaviour is solid, you do not need to treat every time. Reward sometimes to keep your dog interested. They will actually work harder when they do not know if this time will get a treat.

Add challenges gradually. Can your dog sit in the living room? Great. Now try the garden. Then the street. Then near other dogs. Each step makes the skill stronger.

Use training to solve problems. If your dog gets overexcited when guests arrive, practise having them sit and stay when the doorbell rings. Training gives you tools to manage real-life situations.

 

Final Thoughts

Training your dog takes time and patience, but it is so worth it. Every small success builds towards a happier life together.

Remember these key points:

• Start simple and build gradually
• Reward the behaviours you want to see more of
• Be consistent with commands and rules
• Keep sessions short and positive
• Practise in different places
• Never punish mistakes
• Celebrate small victories

You will have frustrating days where nothing seems to work. That is completely normal. Take a break, try again tomorrow. Your dog is not being stubborn or stupid. They just need more time and practice.

The bond you build through training is special. Your dog learns to trust you, and you learn to understand your dog better. Soon, those basic commands become second nature for both of you.

At Buggaz.com, we support UK pet owners on their training journey. Whether you are bringing home your first puppy or teaching an old dog new tricks, you have got this. Be patient with yourself and your dog. Good training is not about perfection - it is about progress.

Now get out there and start practising. Your well-trained dog is waiting just a few weeks away.