When I brought home my first puppy, Milo, I thought obedience training meant teaching “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”

But what I didn’t realize until I trained my second dog—a nervous adult rescue named Daisy—is that obedience is less about commands and more about communication and trust.

This guide is based on my real experiences, the mistakes I made, and the specific techniques that finally started working.
If you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure where to begin, I promise: it gets easier once you understand how dogs learn.

1. Start Training Early—Even on Day One

When Milo arrived at 9 weeks old, I assumed I should give him a few days to “settle in” before training.
That turned out to be a mistake.

He spent those first days:

• grabbing socks

• jumping on guests

• chewing the kitchen mat

Once I began training immediately—literally first hour home—everything clicked faster.

💡 What I do now with new dogs

• Teach their name within the first 10 minutes

• Reward eye contact (“Look”)

• Reward calm behavior

• Start 3–5 minute micro-sessions

Dogs learn best during the excitement of a new environment.
Waiting actually makes it harder.

2. Positive Reinforcement Changed Everything for Me

Daisy, my rescue, shut down the moment someone used a firm voice.
She flattened to the floor and stopped responding.

It wasn’t until I worked with a force-free trainer that I saw progress.

✔ What worked

• Tiny bits of chicken

• High-pitched “Yes!” marker

• Celebrating small wins

• Ending sessions on success

✔ What didn’t work

• Using stronger voice tones

• “No” without telling her what to do instead

• Staring at her when she was overwhelmed

Positive reinforcement wasn’t just more humane—it turned Daisy from fearful → confident.

3. Create a Training Plan Based on Your Dog’s Stage

I learned that:

• Puppies need impulse control + exposure

• Teenagers (6–18 months) need consistency

• Adult rescues need patience + predictability

My actual plan for Milo (puppy)

• Sit

• Down

• Stay

• “Wait” at doors

• Loose leash walking in the hallway

• Short recall games

My plan for Daisy (adult rescue)

• Building confidence

• Engagement (“look at me”)

• Recall

• Drop It (she hoarded items when nervous)

• Door boundaries

4. Essential Commands That Truly Make Life Easier

These are commands I use daily, not just during training.

Sit

I use sit:

• before meals

• before going outside

• when guests enter

• to stop jumping

Stay

This one saved Milo from running into the street once.
Worth teaching thoroughly.

Recall (“Come!”)

I practiced recall with:

• long lines

• tiny rewards

• calling only when I knew I could win

Down

Perfect for:

• restaurants

• vet waiting rooms

• overstimulated puppies

5. Advanced Commands I Didn’t Know I Needed Until Later

Watch Me

Daisy struggled with focus outdoors.
Teaching “Watch me” cut reactivity by half.

Drop It

Saved me from:

• chicken bones

• socks

• a mystery “something” she found at the park

Place / Mat Training

This one changed my household.
Both dogs now go to their mat when guests knock.

Heel / Loose Leash Walking

Most helpful thing I ever taught—walks became enjoyable, not a battle.

6. Puppy Potty Success: Training Pads Saved My Floors (and My Sleep)

My apartment hallway is NOT where you want to take a puppy at 2AM.
Training pads were the only reason my floors—and sanity—survived those first weeks.

What training pads helped with:

• Clear, consistent indoor potty spot

• Fewer nighttime accidents

• Easier cleanup during storms or snow

• Transitional training from pad → outdoors

What surprised me

When I paired pads with positive reinforcement, puppies learned much faster.
Both Milo and Daisy went from accidents → predictable routines in 2–3 weeks.

7. My Quick Training Session Formula

This is the method I now share with friends:

✔ 5-minute sessions

✔ 3 times a day

✔ Training after meals or walks

✔ Distractions introduced gradually

✔ Stop before your dog gets bored

It’s the consistency—not the duration—that matters.

8. Tools That Actually Help (and Ones That Don’t)

⭐ Training pads

I’ve tested several, and size + absorption matters more than anything else.

⭐ Treat pouch

Keeps hands free and makes timing rewards easier.

⭐ 2-metre leash

Not too short, not too long.

❌ Punishment collars

Made both dogs anxious and slowed learning.

Final Thoughts

Obedience training is not about perfect behavior—it’s about teaching your dog how to navigate your world.
With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, your dog becomes more confident, and your bond grows stronger.

If you’re dealing with frustration:
I’ve been there, twice.
It gets easier. One small win at a time.