Positive training is the training method recognised today by the international scientific community as the most effective and respectful approach for dogs. No choke collars, no shouting, no "showing them who's boss" โ€” just positive reinforcement, clear communication and plenty of patience.

In this guide I'll walk you through the core principles, the 5 essential commands and how to teach them step by step, even if you've never trained a dog before.

What positive reinforcement is

Positive reinforcement is a principle of behavioural science studied from the 1950s onwards by B.F. Skinner: a behaviour followed by a pleasant consequence tends to be repeated. In practice:

  • Your dog does something you like โ†’ reward (food, play, a stroke)
  • The behaviour is reinforced and becomes a habit

The opposite โ€” negative reinforcement or punishment โ€” is far less effective and creates anxiety, fear and sometimes redirected aggression.

Why does it really work?

Studies published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2020) compared dogs trained with aversive methods vs dogs trained with positive reinforcement: the latter showed lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and faster learning responses.

The basic tools you actually need

  • Tiny treats โ€” they need to be "high value": boiled chicken, frankfurter, cheese
  • A treat pouch or easy-access pocket โ€” you need to be quick to reward
  • An H-harness โ€” never choke collars or prong collars
  • A fixed lead 1.5โ€“2 m long โ€” no flexi leads in the first few months
  • A clicker (optional but useful) โ€” a small device that makes a "click" sound and marks the exact moment of the correct behaviour

The 5 basic commands and how to teach them

1. Their name (and attention)

This is the foundation of everything: without attention there is no learning.

  1. Say your dog's name in a cheerful tone
  2. The moment they look at you, reward immediately
  3. Repeat 10 times a day for one week

Common mistake: repeating the name when they don't respond. Result: the dog learns to ignore it.

2. Sit

The easiest command to teach:

  1. Hold a treat just above your dog's nose
  2. Slowly move the treat back over their head
  3. As they follow it with their eyes, their bottom naturally lowers
  4. The moment they sit: "Good dog!" + reward
  5. Add the word "Sit" only once the movement is well established (after 30โ€“40 repetitions)

3. Down

Starting from Sit:

  1. Show the treat just under their nose
  2. Slowly lower it to the ground, moving it slightly away
  3. Your dog will move into the "Down" position
  4. Reward straight away

4. Stay

One of the trickiest โ€” it takes time and a gradual approach:

  1. Dog in Sit, hold an open palm towards them: "Stay"
  2. Wait 1 second โ†’ reward
  3. Gradually increase: 2", 5", 10", 30"...
  4. Then add distance (one step, two, three)
  5. Only add distractions at the very end

Golden rule: if your dog gets up, you've moved too fast. Go back to an easier step.

5. Recall

The most important command for your dog's safety.

  1. Start indoors, in a quiet room
  2. Say your dog's name + "Come!" in a cheerful voice
  3. When they arrive: big celebration + a "jackpot" reward (3โ€“4 treats in a row)
  4. Never call your dog for something unpleasant (bath time, end of play): they will associate the recall with a negative experience

How long training sessions should be

Dogs have a very short attention span, especially puppies:

  • Puppy (2โ€“6 months): 3โ€“5 minutes, 3โ€“5 times a day
  • Adult: 10โ€“15 minutes, 2โ€“3 times a day

Short, frequent sessions are always better than long, tiring ones. Always end on a successful exercise.

The 3 mistakes that undermine training

  1. Rewarding too late: your dog needs to connect the reward with the behaviour. Even a 3-second delay means you're rewarding whatever they're doing at that moment (e.g. they've already run off).
  2. Different commands within the family: if one person says "Sit" and another says "Siediti", the dog gets confused.
  3. Telling them off after the fact: scolding a dog that toileted indoors 10 minutes ago achieves nothing โ€” they simply don't understand.

Frequently asked questions

What age can you start?

Right away: even an 8-week-old puppy can learn their own name and "Sit". The first 3 months are the best window for socialisation.

Will treats make my dog overweight?

No, as long as they are small (pea-sized) and deducted from their daily food allowance. The total amount of treats should not exceed 10% of their daily calorie requirement.

When can I phase out the treats?

Once a behaviour is well established (90% success rate), move to intermittent reinforcement: reward 1 time in 3, then 1 in 5. The behaviour actually becomes more reliable, not less.

About to adopt a puppy? Also read our guides on puppy vaccinations and natural feeding for dogs.