Let’s be real—training a dog isn’t always easy. If you’ve ever found yourself repeating “sit” five times or wondering why your puppy only listens when you have cheese in your hand, you’re not alone.
The good news? Most training problems aren’t because your dog is stubborn. They usually happen because of a few simple mistakes we humans make without realizing it.
Here are 10 common training slip-ups and how to fix them starting today.
1. Repeating Commands Over and Over
We’ve all been guilty of this: “Sit. Sit. SIT.” The problem is, when you repeat yourself, your dog learns they don’t have to listen the first time—or the second. Your command just becomes background noise.
The fix: Say the command once. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t repeat it. Instead, help them succeed by luring them into position or going back to an easier step. You want them to learn that “sit” means do it now, not eventually.
2. Using Treats That Aren’t Exciting Enough
If you’re training with your dog’s regular kibble in a boring environment, that might work fine. But if you’re trying to teach your dog to focus at the park with squirrels running around, kibble probably won’t cut it.
The fix: Use “high-value” treats for tough situations. Think small pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dogs. Save the boring biscuits for home. You’re competing with squirrels and smells—bring out the good stuff.
3. Forgetting That New Places Are Hard
Your dog does a perfect “down stay” in your living room. But at the sidewalk cafe? They forget everything. This doesn’t mean they’re being difficult. Dogs don’t automatically understand that a command works everywhere.
The fix: Practice in lots of different places. The backyard, the front porch, a quiet park, a busy street. Start easy and slowly add distractions. Be patient—they’ll get there.
4. Leaving Temptations Out
If you leave shoes on the floor and get mad when your puppy chews them, that’s not fair to the puppy. Chewing is what puppies do. You’re basically setting them up to fail.
The fix: Manage the environment. Until your dog learns what’s okay to chew, keep things out of reach. Put shoes in the closet, keep remotes on high tables, and always have appropriate chew toys available. Make it easy for them to be good.
5. Calling Your Dog to Scold Them
Picture this: your dog is having fun at the park, you call them over, and then you yell at them for not coming fast enough or leash them up to leave. Next time you call, they’ll remember that coming to you ends the fun—or gets them in trouble.
The fix: Never call your dog to do something they hate. If you need to leave the park, call them over, give them a great treat, then leash them. Better yet, call them randomly during walks, give them praise and a treat, and let them go back to playing. Coming to you should always be a good thing.
6. Getting Frustrated and Raising Your Voice
Training can be frustrating. But dogs don’t understand anger the way humans do. If you yell, your dog just learns that you’re scary in that moment. It doesn’t teach them what you want, and it can damage trust.
The fix: If your dog is doing something wrong, interrupt with a clap or a silly noise, then redirect them to what you do want. Stay calm. Training works better when it feels like a game, not a punishment.
7. Rewarding at the Wrong Time
Timing matters more than you think. If you ask for a sit, your dog sits, and you take five seconds to find a treat and give it to them right as they stand up—you just rewarded standing.
The fix: Mark the exact moment they do the right thing. Use a word like “yes!” or a clicker the instant their butt hits the floor. Then give the treat. This helps them connect the reward to the action.
8. Using the Wrong Walking Gear
Trying to teach a dog who loves to pull using just a flat collar is really hard. Dogs naturally pull against pressure—it’s instinct.
The fix: Consider a front-clip harness. It gently steers them back toward you when they pull, without putting pressure on their neck. It’s not magic, but it helps a lot. Skip the retractable leash for training sessions and use a standard leash instead.
9. Expecting Too Much Too Soon
If your dog is jumping on guests, it’s tempting to expect them to stop overnight. But behavior change takes time and practice.
The fix: Break it down. First, teach “sit.” Then practice sit when the doorbell rings. Then practice with a friend at the door. Then practice with a friend who ignores them until they stay sitting. Small steps lead to big results.
10. Giving Up During the Teenage Phase
Your puppy was perfect at 5 months. Now they’re 9 months old and suddenly forget everything. This is normal! It’s the dog version of being a teenager.
The fix: Don’t quit. Go back to basics, use better treats, and be consistent. This phase passes, but how you handle it determines what kind of adult dog you’ll have.
FAQs:
How long should training sessions be?
Keep them short—2 to 5 minutes. Do several short sessions throughout the day instead of one long one. This keeps your dog engaged and looking forward to training.
Is it too late to train an older dog?
Not at all! Older dogs can absolutely learn new things. In fact, they’re often less distracted than puppies. Training is also great mental exercise for senior dogs.
What’s the best way to stop leash pulling?
Try the “stop and go” method. When the leash tightens, stop walking. Don’t move until your dog comes back and the leash loosens. Then start walking again. It takes patience, but it works.
Should I use “no” with my puppy?
Use “no” as an interruption, not a punishment. If they’re chewing something dangerous, a firm “no” can stop them—then immediately give them a toy they can chew. For most unwanted behaviors, rewarding the opposite behavior works better than punishment.
