1. Don’t Go Hoarse!
There’s no need to yell at your dog. Shouting doesn’t make your commands stronger or clearer; it just makes them louder. Remember, the sound you make is a cue, and if your dog doesn’t understand the cue, yelling won’t magically bridge the gap.
The reason dogs sometimes respond better to a yell is because, historically, a louder command has often been followed by enforcement. They’re not responding to the volume—they’re responding to what happens after.
The solution? Be consistent with your commands at any volume. Practice whispering your commands and treating them just as seriously as if you’d spoken normally. This way, it won’t matter if you’re whispering, speaking, or shouting—your dog will respond because the cue itself is what holds meaning, not how loud you are.
2. Don’t Talk Too Much!
One of the biggest challenges in communicating with your dog is overloading them with words. Dogs don’t process language like we do. They’re not born understanding English (or any human language), no matter how much we’d like to believe they are. If we want them to understand us, we need to teach them a language that makes sense to them.
Every word you say to your dog should ideally have a specific meaning that you’ve taught them. The more words you throw around without clarity, the more confusing it becomes. Start small. Teach your dog the meaning of individual words and phrases. Once they grasp the basics, you can layer on more complex concepts.
3. Pay Attention!
If you can’t focus on training, it’s not the right time. Training requires your full attention, especially when your dog is learning something new. If you’re hosting a party, it’s not the time to practice “stay.” If you’re on a walk and caught up in a phone call, it’s hard to reinforce a strong “heel.”
Building solid behaviors takes focus. Dogs are nuanced creatures who can offer subtle signs and behaviors in a matter of seconds. If you’re distracted, you’ll miss those tiny moments when they’re trying to get it right—or when they’re veering off course. Commit your full attention during training sessions, even if they’re short. It makes all the difference.
4. Training Is More Than Obedience.
Having a well-trained dog is fantastic, but the true reward of training goes beyond just obedience. Training is one of the best ways to strengthen your relationship with your dog.
When you train together, you’re not just shaping behaviors—you’re building trust, communication, and understanding. You’ll uncover layers of your dog’s personality and abilities that you never knew existed. It’s about mutual growth. You challenge yourself to be a better teacher, and your dog rises to meet those challenges. The result? A bond like no other.
5. Consistency Is Key.
The glue that holds all training together is consistency. Whether it’s your tone, timing, or expectations, being consistent is how you communicate clearly with your dog. If you allow something one day but discourage it the next, your dog will get confused.
Set clear rules and stick to them. Reinforce commands the same way each time. Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity—you can still adjust to your dog’s progress—but it does mean being dependable. When your dog knows what to expect from you, they’ll respond with confidence and reliability.
Training a dog in 2025 isn’t about following trends; it’s about understanding your dog and growing alongside them. With patience, focus, and mutual respect, you’ll create a partnership that thrives well beyond obedience.
