A collection of free dog training guides from best selling author Pippa Mattinson, including clear and detailed dog training lessons and exercises.
TRAINING YOUR DOG
Pippa shares her forty years of experience in working with dogs, with her easy-to-follow dog training instructions and her practical training tips and advice.
This is a growing collection of dog training lessons.
They are suitable for dogs and puppies of all ages, though some of them are aimed particularly at puppies.
Our dog training guides will help you train your dog successfully and without force or coercion.
At the bottom of this article you’ll find links to individual training guides.
You’ll also find it helpful to read Pippa’s collection of articles on Understanding Your Dog
The articles are organized into sections
If you prefer, you can use the pink menu above to skip straight to the section of your choice
Why is training your dog important?
There are so many benefits to training your puppy. And it is never to late to begin. Old dogs can learn new tricks too!
Perhaps the most important reason is safety. Training will also make your dog a welcome guest wherever you go.
If you need convincing, here are twelve great reasons to train your dog!
Choosing the right training method
Of course, there is more than one way to train a dog. And dog training methods have changed immeasurably over the last decade.
Before you start training, check out Best Dog Training Methods to pick a method that is right for you and your dog.
And make sure you have the right rewards for your dog.
Dog training guides
Okay, let’s get straight to those dog training guides! And if you haven’t time to read them now, here’s a pin so that you can save them for later.
We’ve divided the training guides into five handy sections. Puppy training, basic obedience, solving behavior issues, improving your skills as a trainer, and last but not least, tricks and training practice.
Tricks are much more valuable than we used to think. They improve your skill, and keep your dog sharp and amused .
#1 Puppy training
- A complete guide to stopping puppies biting
- Puppy potty training schedules
- Crate training your puppy
- Puppy training stages
- Does positive puppy training work?
#2 Basic Obedience Commands
- Hand targeting: Teach your puppy or dog to touch your hand
- How to teach a dog to lay down and stay
- How to train your puppy to sit
- Teach your dog the emergency recall
#3 Improving behavior
- Train a dog not to bark
- Impulse control – exercises to help with self-discipline
- 7 ways to improve your dog’s behavior in a week!
- How to stop your puppy eating poop
- How to stop your dog stealing
#4 Your dog training skills
#5 Tricks and training practice!
Need more help?
Dog training can be quite challenging! If you’d like more help and support you might enjoy becoming a student at the Dogsnet Online Training Center.
If you have a new puppy, check out Pippa’s Happy Puppy Handbook and her Puppy Parenting course.
Happy Training!
Marilyn says
I just adopted a sheba inu from the pound. She is 6 months old ..
Typically well behaved, she knows knows basic commands.
I need to correct some behavior issues that have just started to surface. Aggressive to other dog and people. When not provoked. and potty issues..not always telling me she needs out. Even going on the couch.any help would be appreciated.
Betty Hollister says
My golden doodle is 10 and about 3 to 4 years ago she started to show aggressive signs to other dogs while walking her, she loves people. I hesitate to let her get close to another dog. Before that she enjoyed playing with all dogs.
Bev Rowden says
Hi Pippa,
I own a 6 year old female Golden (2/3) Cocker (1/3) which has been the most difficult of the four dogs we owned. Very determined to do things her way. Latest issue is she refuses to come when called. I’m worried we’ll be in a serious situation where I truly need her to come. Help! Thank you!
Fran Mailey says
Hi Pippa
I’m really enjoying reading your articles. I compete in Rally Obedience in Australia with my Whippet. She is very keen to please when I have food rewards whilst training, but in the competition ring where food is not allowed, she will refuse to sit, down, etc. It’s very frustrating. I think I need to start rewarding her only intermittently and sometimes every 3rd behaviour, or the next time every 5th behaviour, etc – mixing it up. I’m just worried about doing it too quickly and destroying all we have achieved over the last 3 and a half years. Do you have any advice for me on training a Whippet, and how long you think I should take to reduce the food rewards? Thank you, Fran.
Debra Lynn Cathers says
Looking for dog obedience training in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Jeff Parris says
Please can you help. Loved the book. Puppy is adorable and 8 weeks old and his first week with us. First couple of nights his howling on us gowing to bed and leaving him in crate downstairs only lasted 20 mins and we went to him only when he had stopped and only twice in night for toilet but….. The last two nights he has howled for an hour and only way for some family members to get some sleep was by me going to him. I don’t want to reinforce a bad behaviour i.e. Howl gets attention but I can’t have whole family with no sleep. How do I break him out of this behaviour? Thanks in advance. Yours very tiredly!
Pippa says
Hi Jeff, glad you like the book, best thing now is to join the forum so that we can support you http://thelabradorforum.com (you don’t need a Lab)
Alva Plachcinski says
I take my dog to bed with me and Greycee has slept with me since she came through the door. Never had any problems with her.