When out with our two dogs, the best compliment I hear from time to time is “Are you a dog trainer?”

I am not, but I am dedicated to training Bernie and Lizzie. Plus with more than 15 years experience as a middle school educator, I probably have some advantage when it comes to dog training.

Impulse control

Middle school is rough. Remember the movie Up with Dug the dog who kept exclaiming “Squirrel!” every time something new would capture his attention?

Dug doesn’t just represent dogs in those moments. He can be every middle school kid trying to focus. Bottom line? Kiddo must follow that squirrel.

Impulse control is a difficult concept for middle school students and dogs alike.

What’s a responsible dog owner to do? Remember these 13 middle school teaching strategies when you’re training your dog.

Build positive relationships

Your dog needs to know that you care about him. You’ll get props for being his primary food source, but he’ll love you even more if you spend time doing activities with him.

Make time to schedule daily walks or runs
Vary up your walking routine with walks or hikes to new places
If your dog can swim, work in time for swimming
Use puzzle feeders and lick mats to keep your dog mentally engaged
Spend time playing your dog’s favorite game
Play other games like Paper Plate Recall or Restrained Recall
Find classes for you and your dog to attend: obedience, agility, frisbee, nosework, dock diving, flyball, tricks, and more

Another way to build a positive relationship with your dog is to be his advocate.

Some people forget to ask to pet dogs. Others run up demanding that they must meet your dog. If your dog is shy or nervous or tired, you can walk away from these people. You’re under no obligation to be a petting zoo.

Same thing with other dog owners who think all dogs want to meet one another. If someone starts walking toward you with their dog lunging at the end of the leash toward your dog, you can find another pathway around them. I’ve found just saying,” We don’t meet on leash” usually suffices. Let that person search the Googles if they don’t understand leash tension.

Your dog will notice and appreciate you sticking up for him, especially at those times when he’s really not up for meeting anyone.

If you have a multi-dog household, build in special one-on-one time for each dog.

Maybe you schedule a special session of indoor games with one dog. Another dog gets a solo walk or hike with you. You could take one dog with you to dog-friendly stores or restaurants in your area. Find classes for activities that you think one of your dogs will enjoy and build in time for class and practice.

Let your dogs know that you value spending time with them together and individually.

Remember these 13 middle school teaching strategies when you’re training your dog. Like middle school students, dogs need help with impulse control, so why not use proven techniques to set your dog up for training success?

Provide structure

Dogs like routines. They thrive when they know when they’re going to eat, sleep, and do any daily activities.

Routines can apply to training sessions as well. You can use a special phrase, like “Let’s learn” to indicate to your dog that training is about to begin. When you’re training at home, you can hold your initial training sessions for new behaviors in the same room or spot. End training sessions with an “All done” cue.

When you’re playing with your dog, letting him know that this ball will be the “last one” can be helpful too.

For any of these scenarios, you can even incorporate some American Sign Language here to develop a hand signal to match each verbal cue.

Have a system in place for getting his attention

Practicing engagement sessions with your dog is crucial. When you say your dog’s name, you want his head to snap toward you. You can also teach the “Look” or “Watch me” cues.

Playing the Name Game frequently is easier than you may think.

While you’re watching TV, doing laundry, preparing meals, and the like, have some yummy dog treats nearby. Wait for your dog to be distracted by something. When his head is turned away from you, say his name in a positive tone. When he looks at you, mark that eye contact with a “Yes!” or your marker word, and then feed him his treat.

You can extend the Name Game to on-leash walks. When you say your dog’s name, and he turns toward you, give him your positive verbal marker and a treat.

Over time, you can randomize when your dog gets the treat for turning to look at you.

One challenge for many people, me included, is avoiding using your dog’s name in a negative way. Avoid combining your dog’s name with “No!” unless it’s a real emergency or threat.

Catch him being good!

All too often, dog owners focus on what their dog does wrong, like pulling on the leash, barking at everything, or jumping on people. Avoid being the dog owner who’s always telling his dog what he did wrong.

You’re training your dog all the time.

When your dog is doing the right thing, treat him like a rock star! Give him oodles of praise, pets, and treats. You’ll be reinforcing the behaviors that you like.

Use lots of visuals

Dogs will learn and respond to hand signals and visual cues more quickly than a verbal cue only.

Rather than being the dog owner who keeps saying “sit” over and over, try to catch yourself. Instead, say the command once, then repeat the hand signal.

I’m not saying this goal is easy. I still repeat commands, but now at least I know to kick myself <insert snort>. As I’ve become more aware of how often I repeat commands, I have decreased the frequency of my repeating. You can too.

Build excitement and reward success

You may not want all of your dog training to be super exciting, but there are certainly times to be more enthusiastic and energetic to keep your dog’s attention. When your dog makes even the tiniest of steps in the right direction, mark that success and feed him the treat.

Take training breaks to play with your dog for a few minutes. You could also work in some dog massage to keep mixing up what happens around training time. Keep training fun!

Take emotions seriously

You may think your dog knows a command, and you’re puzzled about why he’s not doing what you taught him just yesterday. He may be distracted, or confused, or super excited and unable to concentrate.

If you see he’s struggling during a training session, train the dog in front of you.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard this phrase from various dog trainers. There’s even a book titled Train the Dog in Front of You by Denise Fenzi that focuses on customizing your dog training plan to meet your dog where he is to help him progress to where you want him.

If your dog doesn’t seem to understand what you want him to do, then consider…

Slowing down
Using a more neutral tone or more excited tone, depending on your dog’s needs
Giving him another hand signal to clarify what you’re asking for
Using an “oops” response rather than a negative “uh-uh”
You may have jumped too many steps too quickly, so break down the behavior you’re wanting into smaller parts to re-teach

Treat struggle as strength

Learning is hard. Sometimes adults forget that one.

We need to remember not just for our dogs, but for us too.

Really try to differentiate between “uh-uh” moments and “ooops” moments when you’re training. Making mistakes is no big deal. Both you and your dog will learn from mistakes. Reserve the word “No!” for those times when it is an emergency.

But remember, you’re doing the hard work. So is your dog. You will get where you want to be if you persevere.

Remember repetition is key so spiral in important concepts

Keep reviewing the behaviors or tricks you’ve already taught.

When you’re on walks with your dog, work in some training. Randomly ask your dog to “sit”, “down”, “stay”, or whatever cues you want to practice in the real world.

Look around your environment and figure out what you could use to your advantage. Is there a spot where you could practice a trick or two? Are there any more crowded areas to practice loose-leash walking? Do you see trash on the ground for practicing “leave it”?

Maintain your expectations.

If you’ve taught your dog a solid threshold wait at the front door and car door, don’t let him get away with bursting through either. If your dog knows he must sit quietly while you prepare his meal, don’t allow counter surfing.

Modify & adjust

If something in your training isn’t working, figure out a different way to teach your dog the same concept.

Ask your dog trainer. If your dog trainer sends class notes, reread them for ideas. Do a focused Google and YouTube search. Check Dogwise, Amazon, and Goodreads for dog training book suggestions.

Understand the power of wait time.

Sometimes when you’re training, you just have to wait your dog out. Need eye contact and you’ve already said “Look”? Wait your dog out. He will look at you eventually. It just might take a minute or two or three. Waiting for your dog to realize that nothing’s happening and to look to you for direction is what you want.

Give your dog some time to think and respond.

Cooperative learning plays an important role

Participating in group dog training classes with a professional trainer should always teach you and your dog new things. Be a lifelong learner for all things dog!

Leaning more about your dog means that you and your best friend can live more harmoniously.

There are so many dog training classes out there, many focus on obedience, but others focus on dog sports and activities.

Ask other dog people what they do with their dog. Search Facebook for local dog groups, breed clubs, or events. Ask around at places like your vet, groomer, boarding facility, or local shelter. But find local classes or events for you and your dog as much as you can.

Use a portfolio-based grading approach

Sure, you can count training certificates, ribbons, and titles. Those are all fun achievements worthy of creating a bragging wall or spot. However, they probably don’t tell your whole training journey.

Take a more holistic view of evaluating how your dog is doing.

You can’t teach your dog every command all at once, and your dog can’t learn everything you may want him to learn in one six-week class. If you’re training consistently, you will see growth.

Think back a year and consider what your dog could do, and what your life was like with him. Focus on the progress you’ve made.