Basic Training Tips & Tricks
Build a Foundation with your Dog.
Whether you are bringing home a new puppy, adopting an adult dog, or fostering a dog who may have missed some early training, the basics are the same: clear communication, consistency, patience, and rewards. Training is not about creating a “perfect” dog. It is about helping your dog understand what you want, building trust, and making everyday life easier for both of you.
Start With the Basics: A Few Skills Every Dog Should Learn
1. Name Recognition: “Look at Me”
Before a dog can learn commands, they need to learn that their name has meaning.
Practice:
Say your dog’s name in a happy voice
When they look toward you, reward them with praise or a treat
Repeat several times throughout the day
The goal: your dog learns, “When I hear my name, good things happen.”
This is especially important for foster dogs who may have come from uncertain environments or may not respond to their name yet.
2. Sit: The First Building Block
“Sit” is one of the easiest behaviors to teach and becomes the foundation for impulse control.
How to teach:
Hold a treat near your dog’s nose
Move your hand slowly upward and slightly back
When their bottom touches the ground, say “Yes!” and reward
Repeat until your dog begins sitting when asked
Remember: reward the behavior you want to see. Dogs repeat behaviors that pay off.
3. Come When Called: The Most Important Cue
A reliable recall can keep your dog safe.
Start small:
Call your dog’s name followed by “come”
Use an excited, happy voice
Reward generously when they come to you
Never call your dog to you for something they dislike (such as ending play, a bath, or a nail trim) during early training. You want “come” to mean something wonderful.
4. Walking Nicely on a Leash
Many dogs are not born knowing how to walk politely. Pulling, stopping, sniffing, and zig-zagging are normal.
Try this
Reward your dog when the leash is loose
Stop moving when they pull
Continue walking when the leash relaxes
The lesson: pulling does not get them where they want to go; staying connected with you does.
5. Teach “Leave It” and “Drop It”
These cues are about safety:
Dropping something dangerous
Ignoring something they should not have
Preventing games of chase when they steal an item
For “drop it,” offer a trade:
Dog has a toy
Offer a better treat
When they release the toy, reward
Sometimes give the toy back
This teaches your dog that letting go does not mean losing everything.
Training Tips for New Owners and Foster Families
Keep sessions short.
Five minutes of focused training is often better than a long session where everyone gets frustrated.
Use rewards your dog values.
For some dogs, it is food. For others, it may be a toy, praise, or play.
Be consistent.
If “off the couch” is allowed sometimes and not others, your dog is left guessing. Clear rules help dogs feel confident.
Celebrate small wins.
A foster dog may need time to learn a new routine. A dog who has never lived in a home may need to learn everything from stairs to house manners.
Avoid punishment-based training.
Fear can damage trust and may suppress warning behaviors without teaching the dog what to do instead. Positive reinforcement helps dogs understand the behavior you want repeated. (AKC)
A Great Beginner Training Resource
Kikopup — “Dog Training: How to Train a Dog to Come When Called”
Emily Larlham of Kikopup demonstrates positive reinforcement techniques and explains how to build reliable behaviors step-by-step. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tV5qsH5tjYA?si=lViv7KtYaSFXnnm_
Final Tip: Training Builds Relationships
Every interaction with your dog is a chance to teach. Feeding, walking, opening doors, meeting new people, and playing together all create opportunities for your dog to learn.
A well-trained dog is not just easier to live with — they are a dog who understands their world and feels confident navigating it.
Sources:
American Kennel Club — Basic Dog Training: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/basic-training/
American Kennel Club — Dog Training Resources: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/