Train & care
Kind, practical methods for every dog. Start with one small skill.
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8 methods · “Start here” marks suggested priorities
Name & attentionMake checking in with you worth their while.Start here
Name & attention
Have ready: Small rewards your dog enjoys; a quiet room.
Reward a voluntary glance toward you. No need to hold their face or demand eye contact.
Keep it kind: Use their name for good things. If they cannot respond, reduce distractions instead of repeating it louder.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Settle on a matHelp your dog discover that doing less can feel good.
Settle on a mat
Have ready: A comfortable mat and small rewards.
Put a mat near you in a quiet spot. Let your dog approach voluntarily.
Keep it kind: Protect rest time. A mat is a safe place, not a punishment or a demand to stay still through distress.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Come when calledBuild a reliable reason to return to you.
Come when called
Have ready: Good rewards; a secure space, then a harness and long line.
Start close by in a quiet enclosed space. Say your chosen recall cue once.
Keep it kind: Never punish a return. Do not test off-lead recall near roads, livestock or wildlife.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Loose-lead walkingReward staying near you, one easy step at a time.
Loose-lead walking
Have ready: A comfortable well-fitted harness or flat collar, lead and rewards.
In a quiet safe place, reward your dog for standing beside you.
Keep it kind: Choose quieter routes while learning. Move farther from distractions if your dog cannot cope.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Toilet-training rhythmMake the right place easy to find and rewarding to use.
Toilet-training rhythm
Have ready: A safe toilet spot, rewards and suitable cleaning supplies.
Offer toilet opportunities after waking, eating, drinking and play, and whenever needed.
Keep it kind: Never punish accidents or withhold water. Ask your vet about safe outdoor access before vaccinations are complete.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Comfortable time apartBuild confidence in tiny, comfortable steps.
Comfortable time apart
Have ready: A safe resting area; a gate only if your dog is comfortable with it.
Begin while you are home and your dog is relaxed with their needs met.
Keep it kind: Do not leave them to cry it out. Arrange company for absences longer than they can manage; panic needs professional help.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Happy handling & groomingTeach that gentle care is predictable and safe.
Happy handling & grooming
Have ready: Small rewards and an appropriate soft grooming tool.
Let your dog see and sniff the tool without bringing it toward them. Reward calm interest.
Keep it kind: Avoid pinning them down. Pain, difficult tangles or urgent care need a vet or qualified groomer, not longer restraint.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Gentle play, fewer nipsGive busy mouths an appropriate outlet.
Gentle play, fewer nips
Have ready: Age-appropriate toys and supervised dog-safe chews.
Have a suitable toy ready before play starts.
Keep it kind: Keep tempting belongings out of reach. Do not hold the muzzle shut, hit, or physically wrestle with your dog.
Full expert method from Dogs Trust ↗Practise at your dog’s pace and stop if they seem uncomfortable.Practice log · General methods
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