Weekly challenges, skill guides, and positive reinforcement tips — from our KPA Certified trainer.
20 essential skills organized by level. Start at Level 1 and work your way up — no rush, no pressure.
Say your dog’s name once, mark + treat the instant they look at you. Do 5 reps, 2x per day. Keep it fun — their name should always mean something great is coming.
Hold your flat palm about 6 inches from your dog’s nose. Mark and treat the instant their nose touches your hand. This is the Swiss Army knife of dog training — use it to redirect, guide movement, and build confidence.
Stand still and wait for your dog to voluntarily check in with you by making eye contact. Mark + treat the moment they look at your eyes. Start in a boring, low-distraction room to set them up for success.
Hold a treat at your dog’s nose and slowly move it up and slightly back over their head. Their butt will naturally go down. Mark and treat the moment they sit. Practice 5–8 reps, 2x per day. Fade the lure as quickly as possible.
From a sit, hold a treat at your dog’s nose and slowly lower it straight down to the floor between their front paws. Mark and treat when their elbows touch the ground. If they struggle, reward halfway down at first — build up gradually.
Ask for a sit, show your palm and say “stay.” Count 1 second silently, then mark and treat. Gradually build to 5 seconds. Always bring the treat TO your dog — don’t let them come to you for it.
Hold a treat in a closed fist. Let your dog sniff and paw. The instant they move their nose away, mark and reward from your OTHER hand. They learn that ignoring one thing earns something even better.
Set a mat or towel on the floor and reward any interaction with it — looking at it, stepping on it, standing on it. Build up to all 4 paws on the mat, then gradually shape a settle (lying down calmly).
Use a harness only — never a collar for walking small dogs. When your dog pulls, stop moving completely. The instant the leash goes loose, mark and treat. They learn that pulling stops the walk, and a loose leash keeps it going.
Once your dog can hold a sit-stay for 5 seconds, begin adding distance. Take one step back, return, mark and treat. Build up to 5–10 steps. Always return to your dog to reward — don’t call them out of the stay.
Start in a small, boring room. Say your recall cue in an excited voice, then reward with a high-value treat and praise when they come. Never use recall for anything your dog dislikes. Make coming to you the best thing that happens all day.
Place a treat on the floor and cover it with your hand. When your dog backs off, mark and reward from your other hand. Gradually lift your hand to expose the treat. Build up to a fully uncovered treat on the floor.
Teach your dog that four paws on the floor earns attention. Ask a helper to approach. If your dog jumps, the helper turns away. When all four paws are on the floor, the helper gives calm attention and treats.
Open a door slightly. If your dog rushes, close it gently. When they pause and look at you, mark, treat, and say “OK” to release them through. Builds impulse control and keeps small dogs safe at thresholds.
Send your dog to their mat and reward calm, relaxed behavior. Start with 10 seconds of settling, then build to 1 minute, then 5 minutes. Periodically drop treats between their paws to reinforce staying put.
Practice stay while adding mild distractions — drop a toy, have someone walk past, turn on the TV. Start with low-level distractions and build up. If your dog breaks, no problem — just reset and make it easier.
Practice recall with mild distractions present — a toy on the floor, another person in the room. Use high-value treats (real chicken, cheese) to make coming to you more rewarding than the distraction. Build up to outdoor recalls on a long line.
Ask your dog to settle on their mat while you move around the room, cook dinner, or have a conversation. Reward calm behavior periodically. This is real-world training that builds a dog who can relax anywhere.
Add direction changes and stops to your leash walks. When you stop, your dog should stop. When you turn, reward them for following. Practice in progressively busier environments. This builds a dog who checks in with you on walks.
Practice calm, controlled greetings with other dogs. Keep the leash loose, reward your dog for looking at you instead of fixating. Start at a distance where your dog can stay calm and gradually close the gap. Not every dog needs to say hi — and that’s OK.
2–3 minute sessions are perfect. Small dogs lose focus fast — quit while you’re ahead and they’ll stay eager for the next round.
Use pea-sized, soft treats your dog can swallow quickly. The faster they eat, the more reps you can do. Tiny dog = tiny treats.
Always finish a session with something your dog knows well. End on success and they’ll be excited for the next training session.
Small dog necks are fragile. Always use a well-fitted harness for walks and training — never attach a leash to a collar.
If your dog isn’t into it, skip the session. Forcing training creates negative associations. Tomorrow is a new day.
Train before meals when your dog is a little hungry. Hunger = motivation. A full belly makes treats less exciting.
Our KPA Certified trainer specializes in small dogs under 25 lbs. Explore positive reinforcement training designed for the unique needs of little dogs.
