Adapting training to your dog's character
What works brilliantly with one dog overwhelms the next. Why it's best to adapt training and everyday life to your dog's personality.
Dog training: guides and knowledge
Simply explained articles from the DOGSY knowledge team on dog training. You can read the start of every article without an account, and the full text after free registration.
All articles on dog training (17)
How well can my dog be trained?
Some dogs are model pupils, others easily distracted. Both are normal. How to adapt training to your dog's focus and stamina.
When the puppy nips hands and trousers
Does your puppy bite hands and clothing during play? That's normal dog behaviour. How to teach it gently to be softer.
What a puppy really needs to learn
Sit and down are nice – but not the most important thing. What really matters in the first months, so your dog is equipped for life.
Socialisation: the most important time in a puppy's life
In the first months your puppy learns to trust the world. Why quality matters more than quantity here and how to make good use of the sensitive phase.
Timing: rewarding at the right moment
One second decides what your dog learns. Why the right timing when rewarding is so important and how to get it right.
Finding the best reward for your dog
Not every reward has the same effect. How to find out what really motivates your dog – and why quality matters more than quantity.
Understanding the marker signal and clicker
Click and treat: a marker signal tells your dog precisely what was right. How it works and how to build it up.
Don't accidentally reward unwanted behaviour
Begging, jumping up, barking: we often keep such behaviour alive unintentionally. How to spot what your dog gets out of it – and break the habit.
Hands off these training aids
Electric collar, prong collar, spray collar: aids like these are harmful – and banned in Switzerland. Why fair training is the better way.
Using the long line correctly
The long line is perfect for recall training and more freedom. How to use it safely – for your dog and for you.
Becoming house-trained: how it works
A fixed toileting spot, good timing and lots of patience instead of scolding: the key building blocks so your puppy becomes reliably house-trained.
Clear rules from the start
Dogs love reliability. Why you should set house rules early and which ones prove their worth in everyday life – the same for everyone in the family.
Finding the right dog school
Not every dog school suits every team. What to look out for when choosing, so that training is a joy for you both.
Understanding puppy & adolescent development
From the imprinting period to adolescence: which phases your young dog goes through – and how to accompany it calmly.
How dogs learn: motivation & reward
Timing, reward and the right amount of success: the basics that make every training easier.
Training loose-lead walking
An end to pulling: with consistency and short sessions towards a relaxed walk.
Frequently asked questions
How can I spot a good dog school?
Pay attention to how the dogs are worked with. Good trainers rely on reward and fair, friendly methods rather than pressure, intimidation or punishment. Just watch a lesson once as a spectator: do the dogs and people seem relaxed, and do they take part willingly?
How do I house-train my puppy?
Choose a quiet spot with few distractions for toileting and always lead your dog there. When it works, praise it calmly and reward with a treat as soon as it's finished. That way your dog learns that this spot is exactly the right one, and associates it with something positive.
How does my dog learn to walk on a loose lead?
The basic exercise: stop as soon as tension comes onto the lead, and only move on once it goes slack again. Reward the position beside you generously with treats or praise – your dog should learn that being close to you pays off. Changes of direction are a good addition: they keep the attention on you, rather than on the next exciting thing at the roadside.
What can I do if my puppy nips my hands and clothes?
Bans alone do little with a puppy, because it still lacks the necessary self-control. Redirecting is far more effective: if your puppy makes to nip your hand, give it a toy instead. That way you channel its need onto a suitable object rather than just scolding.
How well can my dog be trained?
One dog hangs on your every word with focus, the other is somewhere else after two minutes. Both are completely normal and say nothing about your dog's intelligence. Dogs simply differ in how easily they engage with tasks and how persistently they stick with them.
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These articles are no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY knowledge editorial team.