Dog Training Nation

In Dogs We Trust

You are here: Home / Archives for how to train your puppy

How to Train a Puppy to Give Items Back

by

Teach a Puppy to Give

Puppy Trade Game

Train a Puppy to Give Items Back
Teach your puppy to trade the sock for a yummy treat. willeecole/Deposit Photos

Puppies were not born with nor read, the pet owner’s guide to polite manners so it’s important to teach them the trade game. Would you give up the $100 bill you found at the park? Probably not. 🙂

Trade Game

When puppies or dogs find something, they intend to keep it. Guarding resources is a natural instinct. The more you have, the more likely you’ll survive. Plus, puppies and dogs will pick up items, such as socks, to instigate play like chase. Oh, it’s tempting to chase a puppy with your sock. We panic and think, “Oh my god, they will swallow it!” and we continue chasing. Not fun huh?!

Instead, teach your puppy or dog how to trade instead. And say goodbye to crazy chases around the dining room table. 🙂

RELATED: Resource Guarding

How to Teach Your Dog to Give Items Back

Whenever your puppy or dog picks up a sock, shoe or a child’s toy, instead of chasing him, try:

  • Stop moving. Your puppy will probably stop moving too.  He’s not sure what’s going on.
  • Walk to the refrigerator and select a yummy treat. These treats must be yummy. They should behoove your puppy to trade the smelly sock for something better.
  • Approach your puppy. If she runs away, stand still.
  • Say “trade” and show her the yummy treat. She probably smells it already, but thinks the treat is for you and not her.
  • Remain still and wait for your puppy to drop the sock. If she continues running with the sock, your treat needs to be yummier. She’s saying, “Nah, I would rather keep my stinky sock instead.”
  • As she drops the sock, say yes and toss the yummy treat in the opposite direction of the sock.
  • When she runs for the treat, pick up the sock.

Now, you’re not rewarding your dog for stealing socks. You’re rewarding her for giving it up.  

VIDEO: Teach Your Dog the Trade Game

Taking Items From a Puppy’s Mouth?

On rare occasions, such as a puppy snatching up a cooked chicken bone or medication, I would remove it from her mouth. Now, as I explain to my puppy people, don’t make this a habit. If you do, your puppy will learn to swallow an item quickly, usually as you approach. She knows you’re going to take it away!

You may also like: Free Games for Dogs

How to Park Your Dog

by

Train Your Dog to Stay

Train Your Dog to Stay

As a professional dog trainer, if I had to narrow down the top behavior all dogs should know, I would say parking your dog would be the first one! Trust me, “Come When Called” is probably right up there with “Park Your Dog.” However, this behavior will teach your dog to stay with you.

 “Park Your Dog” is a great way to bring your dog’s arousal level down. It’s like taking a yoga breath for your dog.

Why Should I “Park My Dog”?

“Park Your Dog” is a great way to bring your dog’s arousal level down. It’s like taking a “yoga breath” for your dog. Use this dog behavior when your dog becomes overwhelmed by visitors or anything, really! When teaching hyperactive dogs to be calm, many folks ask them to sit still. This is tough, as they are learning how to manage their extra energy and excitement. So next time your dog tries to jump on guests, “park your dog.”

Just by teaching your dog this simple behavior, your dog will learn

  • Self control (teaching your hyper dog to relax)
  • Polite greetings of people (not to jump on people or you)
  • Polite leash manners (not pull on the leash)
  • Ignore other dogs
  • Stay with you
  • Prevent excessive barking

How do I teach “Park Your Dog”?

  1. Step on your leash (about half way up to your dog, your dog should have 3 feet of extra leash).
  2. Click and treat your dog the instant the leash becomes loose. Tip: instead of watching your dog, feel when the leash tightens and loosens under your feet. The moment you feel slack in the leash, Click and treat!
  3. That’s it! Bingo, you are rewarding calm and quiet behavior!

Additional Troubleshooting:

  • Dog still jumps up on you, shorten the leash.
  • Dog continues to pull on leash, your timing is probably off a bit.  Click/treat every time the leash is loose.
  • My dog is still pulling, then call their name and click/treat five times in a row.  Now you have their attention, so keep their attention by rewarding frequently.

VIDEO: How to Teach “Park Your Dog”

When can you park your dog?

  • While talking to someone at the park
  • Having guests over
  • Outdoor dining
  • Paying at the pet store or vet’s office
  • During group class lecture, we ask pet parents to “park their dog” while listening to instructions

I want to hear from you! When should you park your dog?

Come When Called Part 3: Adding Distractions

by

Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called

Adding Distractions to “Come” Cue

If your dog ignores you and runs off, it might need some specific training. Here is the final installment of a four-part series on training your dog to come. You’ll  learn:

  • How to perform an emergency recall
  • To call your dog indoors from the backyard
  • To call your dog back to you around distractions (squirrels, etc.)
  • How to teach multiple dogs to come back to you
  • Fun games

Directions

  • View first video and practice homework for seven days.
  • View second video, practice homework for seven days.
  • View third video, practice homework for seven days.
  • View fourth, and final, video.

Each video contains tons of information so re-watch them several times. Bookmark for easy future reference.

What you will need:

Note: Always enroll your dog in a group dog training class. This video should not be used in place of dog training class attendance.

You’ve completed the “Come When Called” series. Revisit the videos as often as necessary for polite greeting behavior!

In case you missed it: Come When Called Part 1: Intro

How to Train Your Dog Not to Jump Part 2

by

How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping

Stop Your Dog From Jumping
Click! All four feet on the floor!

Does your dog jump on you or guests? View this 3-part video series, which will teach your dog:

  • Not to jump on you when coming home
  • To greet guests politely

If you missed Part 1, How to Train Your Dog Not to Jump Part 1.

Directions:

  • View first video and practice homework for 7 days.
  • View second video and practice homework for 7 days.
  • View third, and last, video.

Each video contains TONS of information, so rewind and watch several times. Bookmark for easy reference.

What you will need:

Note: Always enroll your dog in a group dog training class. This video should not be used in place of dog training class attendance.

How to Train Your Dog Not to Jump Part 2 Video

Any questions about the How to Train Your Dog Not to Jump Part 2 video? Please add them in the comment section below!

NEXT: How to Train Your Dog Not to Jump Part 3

Come When Called Part 1: Intro

by

How to Train Your Dog to Come to You

Come When Called
Bigandt/Deposit Photos

Does your dog ignore you and run off? View part 1 of our “Come When Called” series, which will teach you how to:

  • Perform an emergency recall
  • Call your dog indoors from the backyard
  • Call your dog back to you around distractions (squirrels, etc.)
  • Teach multiple dogs to come back to you
  • Fun games

Directions

  • View first video and practice homework for seven days.
  • View second video and practice homework for seven days.
  • View third video and practice homework for seven days.
  • View fourth, and final, video.

Each video contains tons of information, so rewind and watch several times. Bookmark for easy future reference.

What you will need:

Note: Always enroll your dog in a group dog training class. This video should not be used in place of dog training class attendance.

WATCH: Come When Called Part 1: Intro

NEXT: Come When Called Part 2: Adding Distance to “Come” Cue

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

Dog Training Nation

Quick Links

Dog Training
Dog Behavior
Dog Training Videos
Become a Dog Trainer
About
Contact Us