Q&A for How to Train a Dog

Not necessarily. If you're adopting a mix from a rescue organization, it may be hard to determine what energy or traits that dog might have. In that case, you might want to consult a professional dog trainer who can pick up on energetic tendencies and attributes that may not be as apparent to a lay person.

Research different breeds to figure out their energy levels. It's very important to understand what each breed was created for, because many pure-bred dogs have innate tendencies, drives, and needs that you may have trouble satisfying. Certain breeds have naturally higher or lower energies, but there will remain a range within that breed that you'll want to consider. However, it's always best to get a dog with a little less energy than you so you're not constantly trying to keep up.

Before you choose a dog, consider your natural resting energy level. This is different than what you are physically capable of doing during recreation. You can enjoy vigorous exercise but still have a calm, mellow energy, for instance. Find the balance between that and your general physical activity level to find the sweet spot for your prospective dog's energy.

This is a tough one, as the puppy sees your feet as great toys! Be sure to stand still, and try distracting with an especially squeaky toy which you toss for him to chase. As a last resort, keep a small spray bottle of water in your pocket. When he goes for your feet, say "Stop" firmly, and if he doesn't, squirt him with water.

Try again! Find a tasty treat he loves and make him earn it as a reward. Work on one command at a time ("Sit" is a good one to start with) in a room without distractions. Use the treat to lure him into a sit, and, once his butt hits the ground, say "Sit" and give the treat. Train every time you remember you have a dog. Keep a pouch of treats on you, and train him a little bit at a time, but frequently, all day, every day. As he gets the hang of things, take his training outdoors where there are distractions, and persevere in the same way.

Eating feces, or "coprophagia," is a common problem among dogs. Make sure the dog is fed nutritious food so that he has no dietary deficiencies. If his poop is abnormal, get him checked by a vet, because he may be trying to correct a digestive issue. If the problem is entirely behavioral, avoid swooping on the poop to pick it up before he gets to it, because this only makes it more highly prized. Instead, try and distract him with a favorite toy or game, and then praise him for ignoring the poop. Likewise, teach him a "Leave It" command, so he learns to get a truly tasty reward when he leaves the unsavory offering alone.

This is a tough one because she obviously has a learned, deep-seated fear of crates. Forcing her into one will only make the problem worse. You can try desensitizing her by feeding her in the open crate, playing with toys in it, and seeding it with treats, but this all takes time. If she is truly distressed, then a gentle sedative from the vet is going to be the most humane option.

Allow your dog to sniff a familiar item, then hide it under something like a towel while they watch. Say "find it" and give your dog a treat when they uncover the object. Continue practicing by hiding the object in increasingly difficult locations to teach your dog to search when you say "find it."

To stop your dog from barking and jumping, use the "focus" command by getting your dog to look at you, followed by the "sit" command, rewarding the behavior when it complies. If your dog jumps, avoid giving it a stable place to land and reinforce the focus and sit commands. Incorporate structured exercises like fetch or jogging to help manage excessive energy. For more details, see: [How to Stop a Dog from Jumping](https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Dog-from-Jumping).

Use a specific command like "high five" and repeat it often so your dog associates it with the action. Lift your dog's paw in a high five motion and respond with your own hand while saying the command. Reward your dog and repeat the process until they consistently respond to the command.

Take your dog outside every few hours. Whenever your dog poops outside, immediately reward them. This will help them associate going to the bathroom outside with a positive outcome, and they'll understand what you expect.

Take treats with you. Train him that if he is by your side, that he will be rewarded. If he pulls on the leash, then don't move until he comes back to you. When he stays by you, give him small treats one at a time, every few seconds. He will eventually learn that staying by your side is a good thing.

Don't punish your dog, as it can make him fearful and harder to train. Instead, focus on teaching him the desired behavior. Praise and reward him when he stays in the yard to reinforce this as positive behavior. You can also help him learn his boundaries by regularly walking him around the yard's perimeter.

Teach him the "drop it" command and use it whenever he starts to eat or chew something that does not belong to him. Give treats to reward your dog when he chews on his toys.

You can start with simple commands such as sit, lay, and speak as early as possible and add more complicated commands as the dog gets older.

As the owner of a hyper dog, the answer is exercise. If you have a very active dog, set aside some routine time to do structured exercise like jogging on the leash or playing fetch for at least 15 minutes straight. Once the dog has run off enough of the excess energy, and is also hungry enough to motivate training for rewards, start working on training commands.

You could try offering her chicken broth or beef stock with small pieces of meat, creating a soup-like meal for dogs.

Always wait until he stops whining, then give him a treat. Never give negative attention, or he could whine more.

When your dog starts nipping, firmly say "no," and reward them when they stop.

Take your dog out frequently and adjust the intervals based on her behavior. If she pees inside before you take her out, shorten the time between outings. For example, if you take her out every hour but she pees inside after 45 minutes, try taking her out every 40 to 45 minutes instead.

When your dog starts chewing your fingers, say "no" firmly and give them a chew toy instead. Praise them when they chew on the toy.

When your dog barks at cars, firmly say "No!" and reward them with a treat or praise when they stop barking.

Begin training your puppy as soon as possible. This article on [how to train your puppy](/Train-Your-Puppy) provides essential guidance.

Start by making your dog lay down, then gently nudge it over, all while saying "roll over". Check out How to Train Your Dog to Roll Over for full details.

Allow your puppy to explore the yard until he feels more comfortable and less frightened. Avoid comforting him, as this might reinforce his fear. Don't let him hide behind you or climb onto your lap unless there is real danger. Allow him to overcome his fear naturally; the time it takes will depend on how long he's been acting this way. Once he's more confident, gradually introduce him to new experiences.

No, these methods are not suitable for sloths. Your friend should seek advice on training and caring for the sloth from the rescue shelter or contact a local zoo for guidance.

It all depends on how you raise it. If you start training him/her at a young age, it won't be as hard as it will be if you wait until he/she is older.

To stop your puppy from jumping for treats, withhold the reward until they remain calm and keep all four paws on the ground.

Your dog may bark at other dogs to get to know them. Use a harness that won't hurt your dog when you redirect them. If possible, avoid other dogs before your dog notices them to prevent this behavior.

It's best to train your dog one command at a time to prevent confusion and reinforce learning. When introducing new commands, make sure to regularly practice previous ones, like "sit" or "paw," to reinforce them.