Dog Training 101

Overview

We love our dogs and we want to do right by them. Good training is enriching, mentally stimulating, and gives them a sense of control over their environment. But how do we know which training path to take when there is so much conflicting advice? How do we make sure we’re not doing more harm than good?

To cut through the clutter and bring you a training method validated by the latest scientific research on dog behavior, we worked with Jean Donaldson, the founder and principal instructor of The Academy for Dog Trainers. Over 24 packed lectures, Dog Training 101 brings you exclusive access to a trainer of dog trainers who delves into dog cognition, behavioral science, husbandry, and more, demystifying the popular and unsuccessful theories out there. Ninety percent of this course is taught through demonstrations, allowing you to watch ordinary dogs (not ones already trained to be TV stars) go through the process, complete with successes and failures.

You will come out of this course knowing how to teach your dog the most commonly desired obedience actions; understand the complicated and fascinating world of dog behavior; grasp the fundamentals of dog communication; and have a strong foundation in the principles that underlie modern dog training philosophies. You’ll learn how dogs learn, act, react, and connect, opening the door to better interactions and a new world of trust between you and your dog.

Video Lessons

1. The Principles of Dog Training
   Get an introduction to the importance of training dogs, both for owners and the dogs themselves.
   Duration: 33 min
2. Getting the Behavior: Training Mechanics
   Discover how common psychological practices can help us train dogs to overcome their instinctual behaviors.
   Duration: 33 min
3. Getting the Behavior: Sit and Down
   Alternatives for dogs who have trouble with sit and down, plus recall training using classical conditioning.
   Duration: 34 min
4. Getting the Behavior: Prompting and Premack
   Gain reassurance about continuing training and explore techniques to enhance your dog’s behaviors.
   Duration: 30 min
5. Getting the Behavior: Verbal Cues
   Reinforce behaviors learned through verbal cues and introduce hand signals to aid communication.
   Duration: 34 min
6. Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior
   Explore the foundations of dog behavior and how evolutionary insights can help in training.
   Duration: 29 min
7. Impulse Control: Leave It, Wait, Leash Walking
   Teach impulse control techniques such as sit-stay, down-stay, and loose leash walking.
   Duration: 32 min
8. Impulse Control: Increasing Generalization
   Advance your impulse control training by adding distractions and increasing the challenge.
   Duration: 34 min
9. Impulse Control: Deepening Obedience
   Expand your impulse control techniques with more difficult challenges.
   Duration: 32 min
10. Impulse Control: Cold Trials and Finishing
    Show your dog that good things come to those who wait, reinforcing their impulse control.
    Duration: 30 min
11. Fear and Aggression Prevention
    Recognize traits of fear and aggression in dogs and learn how to address them effectively.
    Duration: 34 min
12. Proofing Behavior across Contexts
    Begin the proofing process to ensure your dog can perform behaviors in different environments.
    Duration: 31 min
13. On the Road: Training in Public Spaces
    Implement your training techniques in real-world settings and adapt to various challenges.
    Duration: 21 min
14. Verbal Cues: Developing Discrimination
    Learn to overcome your dog’s guessing behavior to improve their understanding of commands.
    Duration: 32 min
15. Tricks: Wave, Take a Bow, Spin, Heel
    Explore the benefits of teaching tricks and delve into different types of trick training.
    Duration: 32 min
16. Tricks: Distance Drop, Frisk, Sit Pretty
    Learn how to train various tricks and string them together for complex performances.
    Duration: 34 min
17. Building a Conditioned Emotional Response
    Utilize classical conditioning to train your dog for specific scenarios, like tooth brushing.
    Duration: 31 min
18. Husbandry: Handling and Object Conditioning
    Prepare your dog for the physical care aspects of ownership through effective training techniques.
    Duration: 30 min
19. Husbandry: Limb Handling and Toothbrushing
    Help your dog become comfortable with handling procedures for grooming and health care.
    Duration: 33 min
20. Puppies and Senior Dogs
    Understand training approaches suitable for both puppies and senior dogs, considering their specific needs.
    Duration: 30 min
21. Housetraining, Chewing, and Digging
    Train your dog out of accidents and curb bad habits such as chewing and digging.
    Duration: 34 min
22. Crating and Alone Training
    Learn the advantages of crate training and how to acclimate your dog to a crate.
    Duration: 34 min
23. Managing Barking
    Examine the different types of barking and effective training techniques to manage this behavior.
    Duration: 32 min
24. Training Challenges and Solutions
    Identify obstacles in training and learn how to motivate your dog for successful learning.
    Duration: 29 min