10 Pro Dog Trainers Reveal: Do's and Don'ts Every Dog Owner Must Know!

Top Dog Trainers Share Their Best Tips

Meet the Trainers

1. Cesar Millan

Cesar Millan is famous for his "Dog Whisperer" TV show. He helps owners be calm and assertive. This way, they become the pack leader. He says exercise first, then discipline, then affection.

Example: Your dog pulls on the leash. Cesar says take a brisk walk to burn energy. Then give a firm but calm tug on the leash. Reward calm behavior with affection.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Exercise: Start with a brisk walk to help your dog burn off excess energy. This reduces excitement and prepares them for training.
   

2. Calm Assertiveness: Hold the leash firmly but stay calm. Assertive does not mean aggressive.
   

3. Correction: If the dog pulls, give a gentle but firm tug on the leash. It should be enough to get their attention but not hurt them.
   

4. Reward: When the dog walks calmly by your side, offer praise and affection. This reinforces the desired behavior.

What Not to Do: Cesar says don’t use punishment like kneeing or putting their face in their mistakes. It causes fear and aggression.

2. Ian Dunbar

Ian Dunbar is a vet and animal behaviorist. He believes in positive reinforcement. Start training early, he says, and socialize puppies. This prevents problems later.

Example: Your puppy nips. Ian says give a chew toy. Praise and reward when the puppy chooses the toy. This teaches what’s right.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Redirect: When your puppy nips, immediately offer a chew toy. This helps them understand what they should be chewing on.
   

2. Positive Reinforcement: As soon as the puppy takes the chew toy, praise them enthusiastically. Use treats as rewards to reinforce the good behavior.
   

3. Consistency: Make sure to always provide the chew toy and praise every time the puppy nips. Consistency is key in teaching them the correct behavior.
   

4. Early Socialization: Introduce your puppy to different people, places, and other dogs early on. This helps them become well-adjusted and reduces behavioral issues in the future.

What Not to Do: Ian warns against waiting too long to start training. Early training is key.

3. Karen Pryor

Karen Pryor started clicker training. The clicker marks good behavior. Then comes a reward. She focuses on positive reinforcement. Shape behaviors slowly.

Example: Teaching a dog to sit. Click and reward when their bottom touches the ground. Repeat until they sit on command. The clicker helps them understand what you want.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Introduce the Clicker: Start by clicking and giving a treat so the dog associates the sound with a reward.
   

2. Mark the Behavior: When teaching "sit," click the moment your dog's bottom touches the ground. This marks the exact behavior you want.
   

3. Reward: Immediately give a treat after the click. This reinforces the behavior.
   

4. Repeat and Shape: Continue to click and reward every time the dog sits. Gradually add the verbal command "sit" as they learn the behavior.
   

5. Fade the Clicker: Once the dog reliably sits on command, you can use the clicker less and rely more on verbal praise and other rewards.

"I used this method to teach my dog to sit. At first, he was confused.

But with consistent clicks and rewards, he quickly learned to associate the sound with the action. Now he sits on command every time."

What Not to Do: Karen says don’t rely only on treats. Treats work, but balance them with other rewards.

4. Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell promotes positive reinforcement. She’s against punishment. Her approach builds bonds and understanding. Owners and dogs work together.

Example: Dog jumps on guests. Victoria says turn away and ignore. Only give attention when all four paws are on the ground. Reward calm behavior.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Ignore the Jumping: When your dog jumps on guests, turn your back and avoid eye contact. This removes the attention the dog is seeking.
   

2. Wait for Calm Behavior: Keep ignoring until the dog has all four paws on the ground. This might take some patience.
   

3. Reward Calmness: Once the dog is calm, immediately offer praise, a treat, or gentle petting. This reinforces the idea that calm behavior gets attention.
   

4. Consistency: Ensure that everyone in the household follows the same method. Consistent responses help the dog learn faster.
   

5. Practice: Rehearse this with friends or family members who can visit and help reinforce the training.

What Not to Do: Victoria opposes punishment or dominance. It can cause fear and aggression. Don’t encourage bad behaviors like jumping.

5. Patricia McConnell

Patricia McConnell is an animal behaviorist. She uses positive reinforcement and reads dog body language. She builds confidence and solves root problems.

Example: Dog barks at strangers. Patricia says watch their body language. Gradual exposure to strangers with rewards for calm behavior can help.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Identify Triggers: Notice what specifically causes the barking. Is it people wearing hats? Kids? Men with beards?
   

2. Create Positive Associations: Start with the trigger at a distance where your dog feels safe. Reward them with treats or praise for calm behavior.
   

3. Gradual Exposure: Slowly decrease the distance over time as your dog gets more comfortable.
   

4. Consistency is Key: Practice regularly in short sessions to avoid overwhelming your dog.

I tried this with my dog. At first, he barked at every stranger. I followed Patricia’s advice. We took it slow. We rewarded him for staying calm. Over time, he became more relaxed around new people.

What Not to Do: Patricia says don’t believe myths like "dogs hold grudges." Misunderstandings lead to bad training.

6. Jean Donaldson

Jean Donaldson is a top trainer and author. She focuses on impulse control and emotional resilience. Her methods use positive reinforcement.

Example: Teach impulse control by making the dog wait for meals. Gradually increase wait time. Reward for patience. This builds discipline.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Establish a Routine: Begin by asking your dog to sit and wait before placing their food bowl down.
   

2. Start Small: Initially, make the dog wait for just a few seconds before allowing them to eat.
   

3. Gradually Increase Time: Slowly extend the waiting period by a few seconds each day. This helps the dog build patience without becoming frustrated.
   

4. Reward Patience: Praise and reward the dog with their meal as soon as the waiting period ends. Positive reinforcement strengthens the behavior.
   

5. Consistency: Practice this before every meal to instill good habits and impulse control.

What Not to Do: Jean warns that training fails when people expect too much from the dog and too little from themselves.

7. Sophia Yin

Sophia Yin, now passed, was a vet and behaviorist. She reduced fear and anxiety in dogs. She used positive reinforcement and low-stress handling.

Example: Dog afraid of the vet. Sophia says use desensitization. Gradually expose the dog to vet visits. Use treats and praise for calm behavior.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Start at Home: Begin by getting your dog comfortable with handling at home. Touch their paws, ears, and mouth gently, giving treats and praise for calm behavior.
   

2. Visit the Vet's Office: Take your dog to the vet's office just for a visit without any examination. Let them sniff around and get used to the environment.
   

3. Gradual Exposure: Gradually increase the length and complexity of the visits. Start with short visits where the dog just gets treats and praise, then move to brief exams.
   

4. Use Treats and Praise: Continuously reward your dog with treats and praise for remaining calm during these visits. This helps them associate the vet's office with positive experiences.
   

5. Repeat Regularly: Make these visits a regular part of your routine to maintain your dog's comfort and reduce anxiety.

What Not to Do: Sophia advised against harsh punishments. They increase anxiety.

I used to get frustrated and scold my dog for being scared at the vet. After learning from Sophia's methods, I switched to a gentle approach. It made a huge difference in my dog's stress levels and our overall experience.

8. Zak George

Zak George is a YouTuber and trainer. He uses positive reinforcement and clicker training. His training is fun and builds bonds.

Example: Dog struggles with recall. Zak says make it a game. Call the dog, reward with a treat, then release to play again. This makes coming when called fun.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Start with a Clicker: Use a clicker to mark the exact moment your dog responds to your call. This helps them understand what you want.

2. Make it Exciting: Use an enthusiastic tone and even a favorite toy to get your dog's attention. This makes the recall more appealing.

3. Reward Immediately: When your dog comes to you, click, then reward with a treat or a favorite toy. Immediate rewards reinforce the behavior.

4. Release to Play: After rewarding, release your dog to go play again. This keeps the training session enjoyable and motivates them to come back to you.

5. Repeat Regularly: Practice this game often to strengthen your dog's recall. Make sure every session ends on a positive note.

What Not to Do: Zak says no to punishment-based methods. They make training stressful.

9. Tamar Geller

Tamar Geller created the "Loved Dog" method. She uses positive reinforcement. Her method builds confidence and addresses root causes.

Example: Dog afraid of loud noises. Tamar says create a safe space. Gently expose them to the noise with rewards. This helps them feel secure.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Create a Safe Space: Designate a quiet area in your home where your dog can retreat when they are scared. Fill it with their favorite toys and blankets.

2. Introduce Noise Gradually: Start with a very low volume of the noise that frightens them. Play it softly while your dog is in their safe space.

3. Pair with Rewards: While the noise is playing, give your dog treats and praise. This helps them associate the noise with positive experiences.

4. Increase Exposure Slowly: Gradually increase the volume of the noise over time, ensuring your dog remains comfortable. Continue to reward them for staying calm.

5. Practice Regularly: Consistent exposure and positive reinforcement help build your dog's confidence and reduce their fear over time.

What Not to Do: Tamar warns against punishment. It worsens fear and anxiety.

10. Ken Ramirez

Ken Ramirez trains many animals. He believes in positive reinforcement. Understanding behavior is key. Building relationships is essential.

Example: Train a complex behavior like retrieving items. Reward each correct step. This helps the animal learn step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Approach:

1. Break Down the Task: Start by breaking the behavior into small, manageable steps. For retrieving, this might include picking up an object, holding it, and bringing it back.

2. Mark Each Step: Use a clicker or verbal cue to mark each correct step. This helps the dog understand exactly what they did right.

3. Reward Immediately: After marking the behavior, give a treat or praise immediately. Positive reinforcement strengthens the association between the action and the reward.

4. Build Gradually: Once the dog masters each step, start combining them. For example, reward them first for picking up the item, then for holding it, and finally for bringing it back.

5. Consistent Practice: Practice regularly and consistently to reinforce the behavior. Keep sessions short and fun to maintain the dog’s interest.

What Not to Do: Ken says no to punishment or harsh corrections. Positive reinforcement builds trust.

Training Tips

What to Avoid

1. Punishment or Dominance
   Don’t use punishment. No kneeing, no face in mistakes. It causes fear and aggression.

2. Encouraging Bad Behaviors
   Don’t let dogs jump, steal, or play rough. It reinforces bad habits.

3. Believing Myths
   Dogs don’t hold grudges. Playing tug doesn’t cause aggression. Dogs don’t outgrow bad behaviors.

4. Waiting Too Long
   Start training puppies early. Old dogs can learn new tricks too.

5. Relying Only on Treats
   Treats won’t make dogs fat if used right. Balance treats with regular food.

6. Using Harsh Punishments
   Don’t use harsh corrections. Aim to change behavior, not punish.

What to Do

1. Use Positive Reinforcement
   Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog for good behavior. Treats, praise, or playtime work well.

   Example: Dog sits on command. Give a treat and say "good dog!" This makes them want to sit again.

2. Manage the Environment
   Set your dog up for success. Control their surroundings. Remove temptations.

   Example: Dog chews on shoes. Keep shoes out of reach. Provide chew toys instead. This helps guide them.

3. Be Proactive
   Reinforce good behaviors consistently. Don’t wait for bad behaviors to correct. Reward good ones often.

   Example: Dog lies calmly on their bed while you eat. Give a treat. This encourages calm behavior.

4. Build a Strong Bond
   Training should strengthen your bond with your dog. Be patient and kind.

   Example: Play and cuddle with your dog daily. This builds trust and makes training easier.

Conclusion

Top dog trainers agree on one thing. Positive reinforcement works best. Punishment and dominance cause harm. Train early and keep training. Always focus on building a bond with your dog. This makes for a happy and well-behaved pet.