Teaching Basic Manners

Featured Resource:

Our Basic Manners Leaflet

This isn’t your average dog training guide. We give you insight into how dogs think and learn. There are also step-by-step instructions for teaching them manners using positive reinforcement methods.

Read the leaflet

Resources by Topic

Click a title to view resources for that topic.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Preventing Escapes with Fence Fixes by Notes from a Dog Walker
Reasons to Leash Your Dog by the Dog Scouts of America
Escape Behavior by Center For Shelter Dogs

Walking on a Leash

Walking Nicely on Leash by Sophia Yin
Loose Leash Walking by Grisha Stewart
Heel and Loose Leash Walking by AFF
What is Leash Reactivity? by Reactive Champion
Reactivity Basics by Patricia McConnell
Dog Aggression or Leash Reactivity? by Our Pack

Inappropriate Behavior

Destructive Chewing by Dog Star Daily
Four on the Floor for Jumping by Dog Star Daily
Off and Nothing in Life is Free by AFF
Destruction of Household Items by Center For Shelter Dogs
Possessive Behavior by Center For Shelter Dogs
Jumpy/Mouthy by Center For Shelter Dogs
Territorial Behavior by Center For Shelter Dogs

Fear and Anxiety

Fear of People by Center For Shelter Dogs
Separation Anxiety by Center For Shelter Dogs
Resistance to Handling by Center For Shelter Dogs

Kids and Dogs

Baby Safety by Doggone Safe
Babysitter Rules by Doggone Safe
Resources for Families from Family Paws
How to Pick the Right Dog for Your Family by Jennifer Shryock
Dog Body Language from Doggone Safe

Socializing Your Dog

Dog Parks by Bad Rap
Social Walking Groups by Notes from a Dog Walker
Tips for Introducing Dogs by Team Unruly

Dog-Dog Tolerance

Dog/Dog Tolerance by Bad Rap

Multi-Dog Management

Multi-Dog Homes by Bad Rap
Feeling Outnumbered? by Patricia McConnell

Training Websites

How to Set a Dog Up for Success:

In order to control what your dog is rewarded for, instead of letting your dog reward himself for unwanted behaviors, you’ll need to manage positive reinforcements by setting your dog up for success. You can do this by putting away items you don’t want your dog to have (such as food, shoes, or children’s toys) or restricting your dog’s access to these items by using gates or crates.

How Mistakes Happen:

You left a piece of steak on the counter.
Your dog jumped up, grabbed the steak off the counter, and ate it.
Oops – your dog reinforced himself by getting a reward for counter surfing!
Your dog is going to be more likely to jump on the counter the next time food is left out.