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.
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
Recommended Reading
- Quick and Easy Crate Training by Teoti Anderson
- Before and After You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar
- How to Teach an Old Dog New Tricks by Ian Dunbar
- How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves by Sophia Yin
- The Whole Dog Journal Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training edited by Nancy Kerns
- Love Has No Age Limit and other books by Patricia McConnell
- Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
- Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- Ruff Love by Susan Garrett
- A New Dog in the House: From Shelter Dog to Beloved Family Member by BAD RAP
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.
Training Videos
News and Articles
A Special Thanks As We Reflect on 2020
This year has been difficult for everyone and insurmountable to others. As an organization, we have long since understood that companion animal welfare without human welfare means nothing. So, as a response to the impact of the pandemic, we've augmented and expanded...
Dog Advocates Shouldn’t Be So Quick to Celebrate the “Win” in Denver
Don't be So Quick to Celebratethe "Win" in Denver12November 2020If you read only the headlines about Denver on November 4, you might think that the city's dog owners were finally victorious. If you just clicked and shared the revised language, you missed some...