Whether you have a new puppy or want your adult dog to brush up on his skills, now is the perfect time to train your canine. In honor of National Train Your Dog Month, hosted by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), here are our most popular dog training videos from trainer Mikkel Becker. From teaching basic commands like “down” and “speak” to learning how to prevent bad behaviors like begging and humping, here are seven videos that will help your dog every day of the year.
Train Your Dog to Speak
Teaching your dog the “speak” command might seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually a cue your pup needs to know before he can learn the “quiet” command. Mikkel Becker shows you how it’s done in the video below.
In the dog world, direct eye contact can be threatening. To prevent your dog from becoming fearful or aggressive when someone looks her in the eye, follow Mikkel Becker’s expert advice on teaching your pup to give eye contact on command.
This isn’t just annoying, begging can be harmful to your pet. Feeding your pup from the table can lead to excess weight, and some human foods can be toxic for canines. To stop your dog’s begging, your entire family will need to be on the same page about handing out table scraps. Mikkel Becker explains how to change your habits — and your dog’s.
For many dogs, a knock at the door or a ringing doorbell triggers a barking frenzy — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Watch the video below to find out how teaching your dog an alternative behavior, like mat training, can help him stay quiet when someone comes to your door.
Do you call your pup only when you want to put her leash on or leave the dog park? Often, dogs don’t come when called because they think they are being punished. Mikkel Becker shows you how to make coming when called a rewarding experience instead of a negative one.
This is one of the more embarrassing things your dog can do, and any canine, whether he’s a puppy or altered adult dog, is capable of this bad habit. Check out Mikkel Becker’s video to learn three reasons dogs exhibit this behavior — and, no, it’s probably not because he’s trying to be dominant.
