Dog Training Library
Practical, relationship-focused dog training skills with clear steps, real examples, and connected behavior and psychology resources.
54 terms found
Puppy & Life Skills
Alone-Time Training
Alone-time training teaches the dog to remain comfortable when separated from the owner for manageable periods. It is built gradually and should not requir
Behavior Change
Alternative Behavior Training
Alternative behavior training teaches the dog a specific, realistic response that can replace an unwanted behavior. The replacement must meet the situation
Puppy & Life Skills
Bite Inhibition
Bite inhibition teaches a puppy to control the force and frequency of mouthing during play and interaction. Puppies explore with their mouths, so training
Calmness & Manners
Boundary Training
Teaching a dog to remain behind, inside, or outside a defined physical boundary until released.
Foundations
Capturing
Capturing means reinforcing a behavior the dog offers naturally without being prompted. The trainer observes, marks the useful behavior when it appears, an
Puppy & Life Skills
Car Training
Car training teaches the dog to enter, ride in, and exit a vehicle safely and comfortably. The process may involve movement confidence, confinement, sound
Leash & Movement
Check-Ins
Check-ins are voluntary moments when the dog looks toward, moves closer to, or reconnects with the handler. Reinforcing them creates a dog that regularly g
Puppy & Life Skills
Chew Training
Chew training teaches the dog which items are appropriate to chew while preventing access to unsafe or valuable objects. Chewing is a normal need that shou
Puppy & Life Skills
Cooperative Care
Cooperative care teaches the dog to participate voluntarily in grooming, medical handling, and body care. The dog learns predictable positions, start signa
Behavior Change
Counterconditioning
Counterconditioning changes the dog's emotional expectation by pairing a trigger with something the dog values. The goal is for the trigger to begin predic
Calmness & Manners
Crate Training
Crate training teaches the dog to enter, remain in, and rest inside a crate comfortably. The crate should become a safe management and rest space, not a pl
Behavior Change
Desensitization
Desensitization gradually exposes the dog to a trigger at an intensity low enough to remain manageable. The trigger becomes stronger only as the dog demons
Leash & Movement
Directional Changes
Directional changes teach the dog to notice and follow changes in the handler's movement. They improve leash awareness, engagement, turning, and the abilit
Behavior Change
Distance Management
Distance management uses physical space to keep the dog within a workable emotional range. Increasing or controlling distance can prevent escalation and cr
Foundations
Distance Training
Teaching a dog to respond or remain in position as the handler moves farther away.
Foundations
Distraction Training
Teaching a dog to perform known behaviors around gradually increasing distractions.
Calmness & Manners
Door Manners
Door manners teach the dog to approach, wait at, and move through doors without rushing, jumping, or pulling. The skill improves safety and creates a predi
Core Skills
Down
Down teaches the dog to place its elbows and body on the ground until released or given another cue. It can support settling, place work, handling, and lon
Core Skills
Drop It
Drop it teaches the dog to release an item already held in its mouth. The goal is a voluntary exchange that preserves trust and reduces conflict around toy
Foundations
Duration Training
Building the amount of time a dog can maintain a behavior before reinforcement or release.
Recall & Distance
Emergency Recall
Emergency recall is a separate, highly reinforced cue reserved for urgent situations. It should predict an exceptional reward and be protected from casual
Foundations
Engagement
Engagement is the dog's willingness to notice, connect with, and participate with the handler. It is not constant eye contact. It is the habit of checking
Calmness & Manners
Four Paws on the Floor
Four paws on the floor reinforces the dog for standing or moving without jumping. It is a practical alternative for greetings, food preparation, leash atta
Foundations
Generalization
Generalization teaches the dog that a known cue applies in different rooms, locations, surfaces, handler positions, and levels of distraction. Dogs often n