TRAINING DOG IN BOISE

Positive Reinforcement Training for Dogs: A Simple Guide

Dogs don’t care about money—they care about praise and treats. That’s exactly why positive reinforcement is one of the most effective and humane dog training methods available. Not only does it encourage good behavior, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

By rewarding your dog for behaviors you want to encourage, you significantly increase the chance they’ll repeat them. In fact, this science-backed technique has been embraced by trainers around the world. When used correctly and consistently, positive reinforcement dog training delivers lasting results.

Reward-Based Dog Training Tips That Work

Timing in Positive Reinforcement Training Matters

First and foremost, reward your dog immediately after the desired behavior to create a clear connection. This instant feedback helps your dog understand exactly what they did right.

Keep Reward-Based Sessions Short and Fun

Additionally, train in 5–10 minute intervals to keep your dog engaged and focused. Short sessions are more productive than long, overwhelming ones.

Consistency in Positive Dog Training Is Key

Likewise, using the same commands and rewards each time builds your dog’s confidence. Repetition and routine are essential for long-term success.

Avoid Reinforcing Unwanted Dog Behaviors

However, be cautious not to reward bad habits by mistake. For example, letting your dog outside every time they bark may encourage barking. Instead, pause and consider what behavior you’re actually reinforcing.

Choose the Right Dog Training Rewards

Furthermore, choose rewards that truly motivate your dog. Whether it’s high-value treats, favorite toys, or verbal praise, the best reward is the one your dog finds most exciting.

Use Positive Reinforcement to Shape Behavior Gradually

Rather than expecting perfection from the start, reward small steps toward the goal behavior. As a result, your dog learns at a comfortable pace and stays motivated throughout the process.

If you’re ready for expert support, our Board and Train program offers structured, hands-on guidance using proven reward-based methods. Our trainers specialize in positive reinforcement training that produces real-world results.

Learn More About Humane Dog Training Techniques

To dive deeper, visit The Humane Society of the United States: How to Find Obedience Classes or Dog Trainers for trusted advice on choosing ethical, effective programs.

BOISE DOG TRAINING SCHOOLS

How To Teach Your Dog Obedience Commands

Teaching your dog obedience training commands does more than just improve behavior—it strengthens your bond and makes daily life more enjoyable. But beyond that, it provides mental stimulation and safety skills that can be life-saving.

Why Dog Obedience Training Commands Matter

Obedience training builds trust, provides structure, and keeps your dog mentally active. It also helps your dog see you as a consistent leader, improving their focus and behavior. Some basic training commands, like a solid “recall,” can even save your dog’s life in emergencies.

📍 Learn how we implement these techniques in our Boise obedience training programs or explore our full Boise dog training services

Timing Is Key for Obedience Success

When teaching your dog to follow training commands, your timing must be precise. The moment your dog performs the correct behavior, mark it with a word like “Yes!” or a clicker sound. This instant feedback helps your dog associate the action with the reward.

Start Dog Obedience Training with the 3 D’s: Distance, Duration, Distraction

Begin in a quiet, familiar space. Once your dog responds consistently, increase:

• Distance – Move further away as you give commands

• Duration – Extend how long your dog must stay in position

• Distraction – Add toys, treats, or other animals to challenge focus

If your dog struggles, reduce one of the variables and try again more slowly.

Use Rewards to Reinforce Obedience

Rewards like treats are excellent tools, but don’t let them become bribes. Once your dog starts understanding a command, stop showing the treat first. Say the command, wait, then reward after they obey.

This teaches your dog to respond to verbal cues alone—crucial when you don’t have treats handy.

🔗 For more positive reinforcement techniques, visit The Humane Society’s dog training tips

🔗 You can also explore DogTime for expert advice, breed info, and more dog care resources.

Quick Tips for Teaching Obedience Commands

• ✅ Be consistent and patient

• ✅ Use obedience training commands regularly

• ✅ Reward good behavior quickly and then sporadically

• ✅ Avoid repeating commands

• ✅ Train in short, upbeat sessions

• ✅ Practice in different locations

• ✅ Stay calm and confident

Once your dog learns a few basics, start practicing “Nothing in Life Is Free”: ask for a command before giving food, attention, or play.

Final Thoughts

With patience, timing, and consistency, obedience training commands can become second nature for both you and your dog. You’ll enjoy a stronger bond and a more well-behaved, happy companion.

BOISE DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING

1. Rubbing Their Nose In It.

Rewarding your dog for going potty outside is an integral first step to house training. A key part of house training your dog, however, is preventing indoor accidents from happening in the first place.

Yelling at your dog, rubbing their nose in their mess, or giving them a spanking doesn’t teach your dog to potty outside–it teaches him to be fearful of you and to have those accidents out of sight. (And come on, you paid good money for those bath rugs.)

2. Growl About It.

Growling is one of the few ways a dog can communicate that they feel threatened or scared. You should never punish a dog for growling. If your dog is growling at something or someone, immediately remove your dog from the situation and DO NOT punish them.

3. Playing Fast And Loose With Leash Rules.

Pulling on the leash is inherently rewarding for dogs. Why? Because it gets them where they are going. Don’t allow your dog to strain the leash and drag you from place to place. If your dog is pulling, make like a tree and stand still. Once the leash relaxes and your dog is looking at you, continue your walk.

4. Permission To Counter Surf.

If your dog finds food on the counter, it won’t be long before he comes back looking for more. Prevention is key here. Reward your dog for staying out of the kitchen when you are home, and keep the kitchen closed off when you aren’t around to monitor your pup. Keep food out of paws reach by storing it in the pantry or in the fridge. If you have kids, remind them not to leave their half-eaten snack or dirty dishes on the counter.

5. Play Is Important.

Dogs need an outlet for their energy. If you aren’t providing one, your dog will provide one for himself and, odds are, you won’t like whatever they choose. Make sure you are giving your dog plenty of exercise. A large majority of dog-related problems can be attributed to your dog not getting enough stimulation or exercise. If your dog is running around the house and has a bad case of the zoomies, it’s time to take them out to play.

6. Chew On This.

Dogs don’t just have a desire to chew, they have a need to chew! Providing your dog with plenty of chew toys is the first step, but unfortunately not the last. Dogs need constant reminding of what is okay to chew and what isn’t. Keep anything you don’t want your dog to chew off the floor! If you do catch your dog chewing on something off-limits, redirect him with a few cues (sit, down, touch), and then replace the item with one of their chew toys.

7. Nipping Enabler.

Mouthy puppies can be sweet and funny when they are little, but nipping can become dangerous fast. Don’t allow your dog to make teeth-to-skin contact with anyone, ever. When dogs first learn how to play, their littermates and mother teach them what an acceptable mouthing pressure is, and what kind of wrestling is tolerated among other dogs.

Sources: ASPCA, Humane Society Of The United States

BOISE BEHAVIOR SERVICES IN DALLAS

1. Jump Around

Do not allow your dog to jump on guests, period.

Even if you have a friend that insists “Oh it’s okay! I’m a dog person!” don’t allow your dog to jump up and greet them. Your pup doesn’t know the difference between a twenty-year-old who is a “dog person” and seventy-five-year-old Grandpa who just had a hip replacement.

If you have a dog that jumps, warn your guest before they come over. Ask your guests to turn away from your dog and ignore them until your pup is sitting quietly. Teach your dog that they get lovin’ when all four paws are on the floor, and not before.

2. Back Talk.

Petting, talking to, playing with, and even scolding a barking dog, reinforces the dog to bark. Do not give a dog attention while they’re barking. The best remedy to a Barking Betsy is the good ole’ cold shoulder. And don’t forget to praise the peace and reward Betsy when she is being quiet!

Remember, barking can be inherently rewarding for some dogs, especially for many smaller breeds. Make sure the reward you give your dog is more rewarding then the barking itself. You may have to test out several treats and toys to find out what your pup goes absolutely bananas for.

3. Submissive Peeing.

If you have ever been greeted at the door by a dog that stops and pops a squat, you have been greeted by a dog that submissively pees. Submissive peeing is one way little Buttercup can say “I’M BUTTERCUP AND I AM NOT A THREAT!”

If your dog submissively urinates, there are a few things you may be doing that unintentionally make the matter worse. Petting, talking to, or even looking at a dog that feels the need to submit can drive the pup to submissively urinate. If you think your dog is about to submit, look away and ignore him. Give Buttercup a couple seconds to calm down and allow some of the excitement to pass. Never scold your dog for submissively urinating, as that can make the matter much worse.

4. Giving In To Their Begging.

Those big eyes peering at you from under the table can be pretty hard to ignore. It can be especially hard when you find a warm, fuzzy face in your lap. Do yourself, and your guest, a favor and never feed your dog from the table. You are wrong if you think your pet won’t remember you giving them that piece of steak fat during last night’s dinner. It only takes one time!

Not feeding your pet from the table doesn’t mean your pup can’t enjoy some healthy human scraps every now and then–it simply means that your pup doesn’t get to enjoy them at the table or while you are eating. Reward your dog for staying away from the table during mealtime and consider teaching your dog “Place.” Ask your dog to go to their bed, or “place,” and provide them with a treat-filled toy or their own dinner once they’re lying down. Teach your pup that it is more rewarding to be away from the table during mealtime, rather than under it.

5. Potty Time Is NOT Play Time.

It’s not the time Fido gets to sniff all sixteen rocks Buster from next door peed on yesterday, or their personal time to roll in the grass by Coco’s house. Potty time is potty time. Your dog only needs the length of the leash to do their business. Teach your dog that social hour starts after business gets done.

This is especially true for those night time potty-breaks. It might be cute the first time, but eventually you won’t want to take Fido out at 3 A.M. to look at the stars. Take your dog to do their business and put your pup right back to bed. You will thank yourself later.

Sources: ASPCA, Humane Society Of The United States

DOG REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Puppy Training Mistakes That Confuse Your Dog

Are you making common puppy training mistakes without realizing it? Even the most loving dog parents can unknowingly send mixed signals that confuse their pups and lead to unwanted behaviors. But is it really bad behavior—or just bad communication?

Here are three training habits that might be misleading your dog—and how to fix them.

1. How Bribery During Training Confuses Your Puppy

Does your dog only respond when you have a treat in hand? Do you reach for the cookie jar before asking your pup to “sit” or “stay”? If so, you might be bribing your dog instead of training them.

It’s okay to use lures in the early stages of teaching a behavior. But lures should be phased out quickly. A dog that only listens when treats are visible hasn’t learned the behavior—they’ve learned how to get a snack.

Think of it like a slot machine. If you win on your first few pulls, you’ll keep playing—even if the next few don’t pay out. That’s how positive reinforcement works. Your dog should be rewarded sometimes, not only when you show the treat.

2. Recall Confusion: When “Come Here!” Sends Mixed Signals

Have you ever called your dog and had them ignore you—or hesitate?

This often happens when the “come” command leads to something unpleasant, like bath time or the end of play. If your dog learns that coming to you results in punishment, they’ll stop responding.

Instead, make recall feel like a reward every time. Use a cheerful tone, offer praise, and give a treat, belly rub, or toy. And even if your dog comes back after an hour of mischief, always reward them for returning.

3. Using the Crate as Punishment

If your dog resists going into their crate, they may associate it with being in trouble.

The crate should never feel like a punishment. Instead, make it a comfortable and positive space where your dog eats meals, chews on a Kong, or rests after play. When used consistently and kindly, the crate becomes a place your dog chooses to be.

Final Thoughts

Dogs don’t misbehave to be difficult—they often just don’t understand what we want. By avoiding these puppy training mistakes, you’ll improve communication, reduce stress, and build a better relationship with your pup.

🐶 For more expert-backed advice, visit the Humane Society’s dog training tips

BOISE DOG OBEDIENCE SCHOOLS

 

How to Help Dogs and Kids Build a Safe, Happy Relationship

Teaching dog behavior around children is essential for creating a safe, positive relationship. Living with a dog can be a wonderful experience for children. Pets can boost a child’s self-esteem, teach responsibility, and even nurture empathy. However, a strong bond between children and dogs doesn’t just happen by magic.

Like any healthy relationship, it requires patience, guidance, and supervision—especially in the early stages. Parents must be willing to teach both the child and the dog what appropriate behavior looks like in order to ensure their interactions are safe and enjoyable.

Socializing Dog Behavior Around Children Calmly

“Socialization” doesn’t mean tossing your puppy into a chaotic environment and hoping they figure it out. Instead, the key to success is gentle, relaxed exposure. Let your dog meet children gradually in calm, positive settings.

Short, happy encounters help your dog learn that kids are safe, fun, and rewarding to be around. Therefore, avoid overwhelming situations, and always monitor your dog’s body language for signs of stress or discomfort.

For puppies or reactive dogs who need more structure, consider a board and train program to guide early socialization in a controlled environment.

What If Your Dog Already Shows Good Behavior Around Children?

Great! Whether you raised a puppy with positive exposure to children or adopted an adult dog who already loves kids, your work isn’t done.

Even so, kid-friendly dogs need boundaries and supervision. Children can be unpredictable, and even the most patient dog may feel uncomfortable if treated roughly. As a result, positive interactions must be maintained—not taken for granted.

Teaching Kids to Reinforce Dog Behavior Around Children

Treats are a fantastic way to create good associations between kids and dogs. If your dog enjoys meeting children, let kids offer treats—but only with proper guidance.

• First, show children how to hold treats flat on the palm, not between their fingers

• Then, stay close and supervise every interaction

• Finally, never force a nervous child—or a nervous dog—to participate

These small moments help reinforce the idea that kids mean good things for your dog.

Teach Gentle Touch and Respectful Behavior

Excited children may unintentionally overwhelm a dog by crowding, grabbing, or shouting. That’s why it’s important to teach kids:

• To take turns when petting

• To use calm voices and gentle hands

• To avoid hugging, chasing, or startling the dog

If necessary, step in and end the interaction while your dog is still calm and confident. And if a child barks in your dog’s ear, climbs on them, or plays rough, calmly remove your dog. Meeting dogs is a privilege, and it comes with the responsibility to be kind.

When Older Dogs Need Space from Kids

Even the most child-loving dogs may need more space as they age. A senior dog with diminished sight or hearing might be startled more easily, and painful joints can make them less tolerant of bouncy or energetic children.

Therefore, be your older dog’s advocate. Allow greetings only with calm, gentle children. Keep interactions short and supervised. Aging dogs deserve peace, dignity, and protection—especially from rough play they once may have tolerated.

Supervise Dog Behavior Around Children at All Times

The most important rule when it comes to kids and dogs? Never leave them alone together—ever.

Even the sweetest dog can feel overwhelmed, and even the most well-behaved child can make a sudden mistake. Because of this, supervision is your best tool to:

• Prevent injuries

• Correct behavior quickly

• Create positive, lasting experiences

Watch both your dog and your child for signs of stress, overstimulation, or discomfort. Step in early. Prevent problems before they start. Ultimately, consistent supervision plays a huge role in shaping dog behavior around children, ensuring safe and respectful interactions.

Final Thoughts on Dog Behavior Around Children

Dogs and children can be amazing companions—but the relationship doesn’t build itself. With proper supervision, respectful interactions, and thoughtful introductions, you can help your dog and your child form a loving, safe bond that lasts a lifetime.

🐾 For more family-safe dog care and training guidance, visit the ASPCA Dog Care Resource