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Dog Training Guides

Explore effective dog training techniques and tips on Sniffspot's blog, covering topics from basic cues to behavior modification strategies including reactive and selective dogs.

How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.

Read more

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.

Read more

How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog? thumbnail

How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog?

More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.

Read more

What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression thumbnail

What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression

You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?

Read more

Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop? thumbnail

Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop?

Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!

Read more

How to Train a Rescue Dog: Shelter Dog Training thumbnail

How to Train a Rescue Dog: Shelter Dog Training

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Read more

Most recent dog training guides

Dog Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety thumbnailDog Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety
Definitive Guide To Off Leash Training With Your Dog thumbnailDefinitive Guide To Off Leash Training With Your Dog
How to Read Your Dog's Body Language thumbnailHow to Read Your Dog's Body Language
How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch thumbnailHow to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch
Why Dogs Cry and How to Help Your Pup’s Whining thumbnailWhy Dogs Cry and How to Help Your Pup’s Whining
Free and Easy Outdoor Dog Training Activities thumbnailFree and Easy Outdoor Dog Training Activities
Puppy Socialization: Comprehensive Guide thumbnailPuppy Socialization: Comprehensive Guide
How to Introduce Dogs thumbnailHow to Introduce Dogs
How to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing thumbnailHow to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing
How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnailHow to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic)
How to Socialize a Dog: Comprehensive Guide thumbnailHow to Socialize a Dog: Comprehensive Guide
Reliable Recall Training: Teaching Your Dog to Come thumbnailReliable Recall Training: Teaching Your Dog to Come
How to Train a Dog Not to Jump thumbnailHow to Train a Dog Not to Jump
How to Crate Train an Older Dog: Comprehensive Guide thumbnailHow to Crate Train an Older Dog: Comprehensive Guide
Complete Guide to Dog Training Hand Signals (Facts + Infographic) thumbnailComplete Guide to Dog Training Hand Signals (Facts + Infographic)
How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash thumbnailHow to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash
How to Train a Dog to Pee on Pad thumbnailHow to Train a Dog to Pee on Pad
Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnailComprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic)
How to Clicker Train Your Dog thumbnailHow to Clicker Train Your Dog
How to House Train an Adult Dog thumbnailHow to House Train an Adult Dog
How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy thumbnailHow to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy
How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.

Read more

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.

Read more

How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog? thumbnail

How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog?

More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.

Read more

What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression thumbnail

What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression

You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?

Read more

Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop? thumbnail

Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop?

Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!

Read more

How to Train a Rescue Dog: Shelter Dog Training thumbnail

How to Train a Rescue Dog: Shelter Dog Training

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Read more

Most recent dog training guides

Dog Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety thumbnail

Dog Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Definitive Guide To Off Leash Training With Your Dog thumbnail

Definitive Guide To Off Leash Training With Your Dog

Looking for ways to add some variety to your dog’s daily routine? You might want to try some off leash excursions.

How to Read Your Dog's Body Language thumbnail

How to Read Your Dog's Body Language

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch thumbnail

How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Why Dogs Cry and How to Help Your Pup’s Whining thumbnail

Why Dogs Cry and How to Help Your Pup’s Whining

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Free and Easy Outdoor Dog Training Activities thumbnail

Free and Easy Outdoor Dog Training Activities

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Puppy Socialization: Comprehensive Guide thumbnail

Puppy Socialization: Comprehensive Guide

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to Introduce Dogs thumbnail

How to Introduce Dogs

By: Danette Johnston
Owner - Dog's Day Out, Ballard, WA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Licensed AKC CGC Evaluator
NW Coordinator, Doggone Safe

How to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing thumbnail

How to Stop Your Dog's Destructive Chewing

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.

How to Socialize a Dog: Comprehensive Guide thumbnail

How to Socialize a Dog: Comprehensive Guide

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Reliable Recall Training: Teaching Your Dog to Come thumbnail

Reliable Recall Training: Teaching Your Dog to Come

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to Train a Dog Not to Jump thumbnail

How to Train a Dog Not to Jump

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to Crate Train an Older Dog: Comprehensive Guide thumbnail

How to Crate Train an Older Dog: Comprehensive Guide

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Complete Guide to Dog Training Hand Signals (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

Complete Guide to Dog Training Hand Signals (Facts + Infographic)

Have you ever wondered whether you should teach your dog with verbal cues or with hand signals? Does it make a difference? 

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash thumbnail

How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

Taking your dog for a walk can be an incredibly relaxing experience, and a great way to unwind after a stressful day at work or a long day running errands. However, a dog walk can also be stressful when your dog doesn’t know how to walk properly. Being pulled from side to side as you hold on to the leash for dear life isn’t what most people would consider fun, and it could even be dangerous for both you and your dog.

How to Train a Dog to Pee on Pad thumbnail

How to Train a Dog to Pee on Pad

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.

How to Clicker Train Your Dog thumbnail

How to Clicker Train Your Dog

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

How to House Train an Adult Dog thumbnail

How to House Train an Adult Dog

Maybe you just brought home a new rescue who’s never lived indoors before—or your older pet still has the occasional (or perhaps more frequent) accident inside your home. Whatever the cause of your potty training woes, we’re here to help!

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy thumbnail

How to Train a Stubborn Dog or Puppy

You feel like you’ve tried everything... but you just can’t get your dog to listen. They still pee on the carpet or bark out the windows or run away when you call them at the park. It’s not this hard for your neighbor and his new puppy, right? Why is your dog so stubborn? Are you a bad pet parent? Are you doing something wrong?

Top dog guides per area

Dog enrichment guides

  • The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States

    Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.

  • Best Toys for Herding Dogs thumbnail

    Best Toys for Herding Dogs

    * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

  • The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

    The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic)

    Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?

  • Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? thumbnail

    Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

    You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.

  • Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs thumbnail

    Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

    * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Dog reactivity guides

Sniffspot community guides

  • The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States thumbnail

    The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States

    From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.

  • How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs thumbnail

    How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs

    Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.” 

  • Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me thumbnail

    Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me

    Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.

  • How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs thumbnail

    How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs

    Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.  

  • Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot thumbnail

    Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot

    Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.

Top dog trainers in the US

City dog parks guides

  • The Best Indoor Dog Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Indoor Dog Parks in the United States

    Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.

  • The Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in the United States

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.

  • The Best Las Vegas, Nevada Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best Las Vegas, Nevada Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.

  • The Best United States Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best United States Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!

  • The Best Portland, Oregon Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best Portland, Oregon Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.

Dogs breeds

  • Explore the German Shepherd Dog: Genuine Tips from Owners thumbnail

    Explore the German Shepherd Dog: Genuine Tips from Owners

    Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.

  • Explore the Labrador Retriever: Real Tips from Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Labrador Retriever: Real Tips from Owners

    Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.

  • Explore the Golden Retriever: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Golden Retriever: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.

  • Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.

  • Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.

Top dog names in the US

  • Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names thumbnail

    Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new pup? We have created filterable lists of dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative dog names.
  • Most Popular Male Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Male Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new male pup? We have created filterable lists of male dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative male dog names.
  • Most Popular Female Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Female Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new female pup? We have created filterable lists of female dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative female dog names.
  • Most Popular Golden Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Golden Retriever Names

    Welcome to our comprehensive list of Golden Retriever dog names, curated from our vast database of Sniffspot users. Filter through hundreds of thousands of options by gender, breed, and state to discover the most adorable, original, and imaginative names for your beloved Golden Retriever.
  • Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names

    Welcome to our Labrador Retriever dog names page! Here you can browse through filterable lists of names for your beloved furry friend, ranging from cute and classic to unique and creative options. Our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users ensures you'll find the perfect name for your Labrador Retriever, whether you're seeking a name for a male or female, based on breed or state.

Top dog rescues in the US

dog training

The relationship between a dog and their human is a beautiful, complex thing. We know so little today about how a dog's mind works and every dog is different. Add to this the cultural history of not really viewing dogs as sentient beings, but rather as objects or possessions. Dog training encompasses all of these complexities. It is one of the most challenging topics covering dogs. Despite the challenge this topic is well worth covering. Only by diving deep into this topic can we begin to understand how we can nurture healthy relationships with dogs.

In this section, you can read about all kinds of dog training topics, including food aggression, dealing with common difficult behaviors in dogs, ways to train your dog, understanding dog behavior and more. We have separate sections for dog reactivity and dog enrichment.

Our blog is dedicated to relevant, high quality articles with modern advice aligned with recognized dog experts. All of our articles are force free and we do not endorse any kind of aversive training.

dog training FAQ

What is positive reinforcement training, and how is it different from aversive training?

Positive reinforcement training is a method of dog training that involves rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. This technique is based on the idea that dogs are more likely to repeat behavior that is rewarded than behavior that is punished. Aversive training, on the other hand, uses punishment such as shock collars, choke chains, or physical force to stop unwanted behavior. Positive reinforcement training is more effective in the long term, as it strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner and builds trust and confidence in the dog.

How do I train my dog to come when called?

The best way to train your dog to come when called is to use positive reinforcement techniques. Start by calling your dog's name and rewarding them with a treat when they come to you. Repeat this process several times, gradually increasing the distance between you and your dog. You can also use a long line to ensure your dog comes back to you. Never call your dog to you if you plan to punish them. This will create a negative association and make your dog less likely to come when called in the future.

How can I prevent my dog from jumping on people?

To prevent your dog from jumping on people, you can use positive reinforcement training to teach them an alternative behavior, such as sitting. Whenever your dog jumps on someone, calmly remove them from the situation and ask them to sit. When your dog sits, reward them with a treat or praise. Consistency is key to training your dog, so make sure everyone who interacts with your dog is on board with this method.

What is clicker training, and how can I use it to train my dog?

Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement training that uses a clicker to mark desirable behavior. The clicker is a small, handheld device that makes a distinct sound when pressed. Clicker training is based on the principle of operant conditioning, where the dog learns that the sound of the clicker is associated with a reward. To use clicker training, you first need to associate the sound of the clicker with a reward, such as a treat. Then, you can use the clicker to mark good behavior, such as sitting or staying. When the dog hears the click, they know that they have done something right and will be rewarded.

How can I train my dog not to bark excessively?

Excessive barking can be a problem for both the dog and the owner. To train your dog not to bark excessively, you can use positive reinforcement techniques to reward them for being quiet. Start by identifying the triggers that cause your dog to bark, such as the doorbell or other dogs. Then, work with your dog to desensitize them to these triggers by gradually exposing them to the trigger and rewarding them for staying quiet. You can also teach your dog a "quiet" command, which tells them to stop barking.

Is it possible to train an older dog?

Yes, it is possible to train an older dog. While it may take longer for an older dog to learn new behaviors, positive reinforcement techniques can be effective at any age. It's important to remember that older dogs may have physical limitations, so be patient and adjust your training methods accordingly.

What should I do if my dog has behavior problems?

If your dog has behavior problems, the first step is to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can help you identify the underlying cause of the behavior and develop a training plan that works for you and your dog.