Kindness Comes Before Training
Training is a way to talk to your dog without using words.
Your dog learns to understand your body movements, sounds, and signals — and you learn to understand your dog’s feelings and choices.
Training is really about:
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Communicating kindly
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Working as a team
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Helping your dog feel safe
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Having fun together
This page helps you learn:
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that training is teamwork, not being in charge
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that you help your dog learn by being gentle, patient, and clear
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that when you understand your dog’s needs, they feel safe and happy to learn with you
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🐶 First Things First — Kindness Comes Before Training
🧸Be Kind
Dogs learn best when they feel safe and supported.
🩵Be Gentle
Soft voices, soft hands, and calm bodies help dogs stay relaxed.
🐌 Be Slow
Slow movements help dogs understand what’s happening and reduce worry.
These values come before any training steps.
🐶 The Magic of “Yes!”
This is your very first superpower as a Little Trainer
What to do:
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Hold a tiny treat in your hand.
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When your dog looks at you — say “Yes!” in a happy voice.
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Then give them the treat.
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Try it a few times.
Why this is magical:
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“Yes!” helps your dog know they did the right thing.
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It’s like taking a photo of the exact moment they got it right.
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It helps your dog learn faster and makes training fun!
Hands Like Feathers
Your hands are powerful — they can make a dog feel safe and calm.
Try this:
With your dog relaxed:
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Put your hand on your dog’s shoulder or chest.
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Stroke very gently, like your hand is a soft feather.
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If your dog stays relaxed, you’re doing it perfectly!
Why this matters:
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Dogs love gentle touch.
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When you use feather-soft hands, your dog knows you’re kind and safe.
Look Here! (Attention Game)
Want your dog to pay attention? This game makes it easy
Here’s how:
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Hold a treat near your eyes.
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When your dog looks at your face — say “Yes!”
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Give them the treat.
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Keep the game short and fun.
Why this is awesome:
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Your dog learns to look at you when you need their attention.
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No shouting. No tugging. Just teamwork.
Touch! (Target Game)
This teaches your dog how to share their paws with you safely
Try this:
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Ask your dog to sit (or stand calmly).
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Hold out your hand just above the floor.
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If your dog lifts a paw even a tiny bit — “Yes!”
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Treat and celebrate!
Why this helps:
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Your dog learns to share their paws with you.
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This helps with tricks and with real-life things like wiping paws or gentle grooming.
One Paw, Two Paw
This is one of the coolest training tricks ever — your dog can learn it fast!
Do this:
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Hold your hand out like a little target.
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If your dog sniffs or boops your hand — say “Yes!”
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Give the treat.
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When they’re good at it, say the word “Touch!” before they boop.
Why it’s amazing:
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Your dog learns to follow your hand.
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This helps with tons of future tricks like:
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spin
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paw
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high five
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go around
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move gently out of the way
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fun games!
Little Trainer Top Tips
⭐ “Short is Awesome!”
Dogs learn best with tiny, 1–3 minute lessons.
⭐ “If your dog walks away, that’s okay.”
It means they need a break — you can try again later.
⭐ “Look first, then act.”
Dogs talk with their bodies.
If they look unsure, stop and give them space.
⭐ “Ending with fun is the secret.”
Finish every training moment with something easy and happy.
❤️ Safeguarding Note
You can read these lessons by yourself if you’re older,
but always make sure a grown-up knows you’re training the dog.
Dogs feel safest when adults and kids work as a team.
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