How to Train a Dog: The First Five Skills We'd Teach (and the Habits That Make Them Stick)

Disclosure: written by the Love My Puppy team. We sell some of the products mentioned and may benefit if you buy. This is general information, not veterinary advice; talk to your vet about health concerns.

Last updated: Oct 16, 2026

The simplest way to train a dog is to reward the behavior you want the moment it happens, in short sessions, a few times a day. Start with a handful of useful skills like sit, come, and settle, and set up your home so good choices are easy.

If you've ever typed "how train a dog" into a search bar at midnight, half-asleep with a puppy chewing your sleeve, this one's for you. There's a lot of conflicting advice out there. We'll keep it simple: what major veterinary and dog organizations recommend, a starter skill list, a sample practice plan, and when to call in help.

Written by the Love My Puppy team; we sell some of the products mentioned.

What training method works best?

Reward-based training. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) states in its position statement on humane dog training that "evidence supports the use of reward based methods for all canine training." It also says there is no evidence that aversive training is necessary.

AVSAB describes aversive methods as those that rely on force, pain, or physical or emotional discomfort. It recommends against them.

In plain terms: show your dog what to do and pay them for it. Rewards can be:

• Small, soft treats
• A favorite toy
• Praise and attention
• Access to something they want, like going outside or sniffing

AVSAB also makes a practical point. Training works best when it focuses on teaching what to do, rather than punishing what not to do.

Which skills should you teach first?

You don't need a long list. The AVMA's dog bite prevention advice mentions basic commands like "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" as a way to build trust and good manners. Here's the starter list we'd use, with "leave it" standing in for "no":

Practice each one in a quiet room first. Then add mild distractions, like another person in the room. Then try the yard. Dogs don't automatically transfer a skill from the kitchen to the park.

How long should training sessions be?

Short. Think two to five minutes, a few times a day. Puppies and young dogs have short attention spans.

Some tips that help:

• Train before meals, when your dog is a bit hungry.
• Stop while it's going well. End on a success.
• Use one cue word and make sure everyone at home uses the same one.
• Reward fast. Within a second or two of the behavior.
• Keep a few treats in your pocket so you can reward good choices you didn't plan for.

Here's a sample week for a puppy around 3 to 5 months old:

Want this kind of structure laid out for you? Our 3 to 6 Month Puppy Plan maps out week-by-week goals from about 12 to 26 weeks. See if a plan on the fridge would make practice easier.

How does managing your home help training?

Training isn't only cue practice. It's also setting up your home so your dog can't easily rehearse bad habits. AVSAB notes that common issues like jumping, barking, and house-training can often be handled by arranging the environment and rewarding the behavior you want.

Some easy wins:

• Pick up shoes and socks so there's less to steal.
• Use a gate or pen when you can't supervise.
• Keep chew toys in every room.
• Leash your puppy indoors for short periods if they keep bolting.

Fewer chances to get it wrong means more chances to get it right.

Should you take a training class?

For many families, yes. A class teaches you how to train, gives your dog practice around distractions, and offers social time.

The AKC summarized a University of Guelph study of 296 puppy owners. Puppies who attended puppy training classes met more people and dogs and were less likely to show nervousness. Their owners also used more rewards and less punishment.

If you'd like a goal to work toward, the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program is a 10-skill test of good manners. It's open to all dogs, purebred or mixed, with no age limits. For puppies, the AKC points to its S.T.A.R. Puppy class as a first step.

What if training isn't working?

First, check the basics:

• Are sessions short enough?
• Is the reward something your dog truly wants?
• Is everyone using the same cue?
• Did you move to a harder setting too fast?

Most stalls come from one of those. Step back to an easier version and rebuild.

The teenage months (VCA Animal Hospitals describes adolescence as roughly 6 to 18 months) can bring setbacks even in dogs who were doing great. That's normal. Keep sessions short and upbeat. The puppy plan for the 3 to 6 month stage includes a page on what to do when a puppy seems to "go backwards."

When should you get professional help?

Reach out to your vet and a qualified professional if your dog:

• Growls, snaps, or bites in a way that seems fearful or tense
• Seems very anxious when left alone
• Shows sudden behavior changes
• Isn't progressing despite steady, reward-based practice

AVSAB notes that serious concerns like aggression, anxiety, and fear need a treatment plan, which may include help from your veterinarian. Your vet can check for pain or illness, which can affect behavior. The ASPCA suggests looking for a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or a veterinary behaviorist depending on the problem.

The bottom line

How to train a dog comes down to a few habits: reward what you like, keep sessions short, start with five useful skills, manage your home, and stay consistent as a household. Expect bumps, especially in the teenage months, and ask for help when something feels bigger than training.

For more practical puppy guides, visit us at Love My Puppy.

This article is general information, not veterinary or behavioral advice. If you're worried about your dog's behavior, please talk with your veterinarian.

Sources reviewed: AVSAB Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (PDF); AVMA: Preventing Dog Bites; AKC: Puppy Training Classes; AKC: Canine Good Citizen; ASPCA: Mouthing, Nipping and Biting in Puppies.