Dog Training

Every dog is different, and every human-dog combination has a special and unique relationship. So how long does it take to train a dog? The answer depends on a few factors, but we’ve put together all the information you need to answer your burning questions about dog training.

How long it takes to train a dog depends on their age, past experience with training, their personality, and the amount of time you as their owner are able to spend training. For most general commands and skills, you can expect to teach and practice with your dog for around one to three months depending on their age.

It’s important to remember that each dog is different and comes with their own set of experiences (or lack of) when it comes to training. Dogs who have had little to no training previously can sometimes be easier to teach since they’re not unlearning old behaviors. 

On the other hand, dogs who have gone without training for too long can be much more challenging to teach. The old adage is true, however, and you can absolutely teach an old dog new tricks. Training your dog at any age takes patience, persistence, and commitment to helping your dog be the best they can be.

The Importance of Dog Training

There are so many reasons why it’s important for your dog to be well-trained, the first of which is so that they can enjoy as much of life as possible alongside you! Even just basic dog training creates expectations around behavior that your dog will come to expect and comply with, making outings and interactions with friends and strangers alike a much more pleasant experience.

Properly training your dog will also give you a sense of peace, knowing you can trust them in public places and unfamiliar situations, and know that they’ll listen and follow your commands when push comes to shove. Being able to trust your dog’s training and the relationship you’ve built around it will also ensure their safety. Being able to reliably call your dog back or be sure they’ll follow your command in an emergency or unsafe situation is plenty of reason by itself to have your dog well-trained.

How to Train Your Dog

There are different methods for training your dog, and choosing the best option first depends on how much training experience your dog has already had. If you’re training a puppy for the first time you’re going to want to start from the very beginning. If your dog is already able to follow basic dog commands and has good recall, you may be able to start training beyond the basics sooner than you think for things like leash training or psychiatric service dog training. Knowing your dog and being honest with yourself about their training level (and training needs) is the first step in choosing the right dog training program.

General Obedience Training

General obedience training refers to training your dog to follow common commands like sit, stay, come, leave it, and lay down. Training your dog to reliably follow these commands is essential for building trust. It’s also important to be sure your dog is safely and reliably trained in order to be able to bring them in public places with you, whether you’re enjoying a day at the dog park or simply strolling down the street. Mastering these basic obedience commands is excellent groundwork for building further on your dog’s training. 

Once your dog has mastered the most basic obedience commands you can start training them for more complex ones, and even service dog tasks. Training your dog to do new tricks and tasks is a great way to keep them stimulated both mentally and physically, and provides incredible opportunities to bond with one another.

House Training

House training a dog of any age takes patience and consistency. Our best advice for successfully house training a puppy is to set a routine. When you’re ready to start house training make sure you utilize a crate as a safe space (dogs are much less likely to have accidents in places they see as “theirs”), monitor your puppy’s food and water consumption, and use positive reinforcement to encourage the new behavior you’re trying to teach — a.k.a. getting your dog to go outside instead of in.

We also recommend avoiding pee pads if possible when house training. While they might seem like a good solution and surely you’d much prefer your dog pee there than the carpet, pee pads can be confusing because they tell your dog there are times when it is ok to go to the bathroom inside. You can make it easy for them and for you by training them to go to the bathroom outside only.

Service Dog Training

Training your own service dog is much more involved than typical dog training. Service dogs undergo specific, individual training to be able to perform tasks or do work that supports a person with a disability in their daily life. Once properly trained, service dogs are actually no longer considered pets but instead medical tools necessary for managing a disability.

Dog Training Options

Generally, when it comes to dog training there are two main options: online dog training and in-person dog training. Both have pros and cons, and the type of training that works best for you and your dog may be either one. To figure out which will be the most beneficial for you and your pup, consider factors like your dog’s temperament, your schedule, and your budget.

Online Dog Training

Online dog training is the most flexible option when it comes to training your dog yourself, as well as the most affordable. Online dog training courses like those offered by Pettable allow you to move through the lessons at your own pace and are generally a fraction of the cost of in-person training sessions and even group training classes.

In-Person Dog Training

In-person dog training is generally more expensive than online dog training but comes with its own set of benefits. Training your dog in person, whether one-on-one with a trainer or in group dog training classes allows you to have a hands-on experience with training, ask questions, and get direct guidance from dog trainers. It also allows you and your dog to learn in a more social environment but requires working on the schedule of the trainer or the group.

There’s nothing like the feeling of bringing home a new puppy, and having a new four-legged friend in the house will surely bring lots of excitement. You may find their energy overwhelming at first and find yourself eager to start training, or you might find their playfulness endearing and adorable. Either way, keep in mind their rambunctiousness is typical puppy behavior, and setting the expectations for training early is important to end up with a well-trained canine. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions around when you can begin training a puppy.

Most puppies are ready to begin basic dog training as soon as they’re old enough to be brought home. This is usually around 12 weeks old, which is also the time when puppies are just becoming ready to be separated from their mothers. Puppies at this age are incredibly busy and bouncy, but they’re also very malleable — meaning they have a clean, blank canvas when it comes to training and you can utilize that to instill only the best behaviors in your pup.

Stages of Puppy Development

Like humans, puppies go through a tremendous amount of growth in their first few months on Earth. In the first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life, their main source of training comes from small social interactions. Since puppies are generally too young to be separated from their mothers at this time, they take a lot of social cues from them as well as from other puppies in their litter.

Handling Your Puppies First Night at Home

Your puppy’s first night at home will be both a joy and a challenge. Keep in mind that they’re not only in a new home, they’re still pretty new to the world! For the first night’s sleep at home, make sure their crate is extra cozy and inviting. Keep them in the room with you in the crate and even if they cry, try to stay strong and instill the crate as a nightly routine from the beginning.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

When getting ready to bring home a new puppy, being prepared for their arrival will make a world of difference in being ready to become a dog parent. Puppy-proofing your home is key. Doing things like securing trash cans, keeping all toilet lids closed, moving hazardous houseplants, and making sure things like electrical cords and cleaning supplies are well within reach will allow you peace of mind while your new puppy inevitably explores.

Choosing the right dog training program for you and your pup is the first step to setting yourself up for training success. Consider your needs around cost and schedule, and consider your dog’s personality and temperament as well as their training needs. Whether you choose online in-person or online dog training, the style that works best for you will depend on these factors.

What is Online Dog Training?

Online dog training is generally a course you purchase once and then get full access to the resources and materials. Online dog training courses like Pettable’s are led by professional, expert dog trainers with years of experience. Each lesson is designed to put the tools for training your dog in your hands. The lessons are completely self-paced so you and your dog can train on a schedule that works for you, and spend as much time as you need on certain tasks or move through others quickly.

Does Online Dog Training Work?

Yes — online dog training works! It’s been shown to be just as effective as in-person dog training. The comfortable setting that online dog training provides is actually more beneficial to some dogs and their people. 

Online Vs. In-Person Dog Training

Both online dog training and in-person dog training have benefits and challenges. Deciding which type of training works best for you is an individual decision you get to make based on your needs, your dog, and the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to training.

Benefits of Online Dog Training

Online dog training has a ton of benefits, the first being scheduling. Training your dog yourself using an online course allows you to complete the lessons on a schedule that works for you. Whether you get some good extended sessions every weekend or spend a few minutes practicing commands after work during the week, the training schedule is totally up to you.

Affordability is another key benefit of online dog training. Instead of paying for a membership, extended program, or week after week of dog training classes, purchasing an online training course gives you all the materials you need for a simple, one-time fee. Online dog training courses often offer a wide variety of topics to choose from, so you can focus on the aspect of training your dog that’s most important.

Benefits of In-Person Dog Training

In-person training requires a more set schedule, but can be a benefit to dog owners who want more direct instruction when it comes to training their dog. For dogs (and even owners) who could use a little more socialization while training, group dog training classes with an in-person trainer are also a great option. Working with a dog trainer or company face-to-face can also allow for a more personalized experience and more opportunities to ask questions and focus on specific behaviors in your dog you’d like to see improved.