Basic Training Commands
Some of the most basic and important dog obedience commands are “heel”, “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “come”, and “drop it”. These may seem like very simple commands, but they are more than just cute little tricks. They are actually the keys to controlling your dog’s daily manners and discipline. It can also strengthen the bond that you have with your dog. So you can see, even from these six little commands, that you can shape and regulate your dog’s behavior and obedience quickly and easily. It is important to remember that your dog is always learning. Your responsibility is to ensure he learns only good habits and does away with the bad. To do this, you first have to understand and accept that dogs learn things differently than we do. If you choose in-home dog training with the thought that your dog will learn in the same manner that humans do, then you are just setting yourself and your dog up for failure. In fact, you could even make his behavior problems become worse.
Elite Dog Training Recognized as Best Dog Trainer in Highland Park, Illinois for 2026
At Rich’s Elite Dog Training, we believe every dog deserves the opportunity to become a well-mannered, confident, and happy companion. We’re proud to share our 2026 recognition from the Quality Business Awards in the dog trainer category for Highland Park, Illinois!...
How to Stop Your Dog From Begging for Food at Mealtime
Does your dog stare at you, whine, paw at your leg, or hover around the dinner table every time your family eats? If so, you're dealing with one of the most common—and frustrating—dog behavior problems: begging for food. The good news is that dog begging is a behavior...
Door Bolting: How to Keep Your Dog Safe When the Door Opens
Does your dog rush the door the moment someone reaches for the handle? Door bolting may look like excitement, but it can quickly become a serious safety issue. A dog that darts through an open front door can run into traffic, get lost, approach another dog, or put...
How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on People
A dog jumping up to greet you can seem cute when they’re a small puppy. But once that puppy grows into a full-sized adult dog, the same enthusiastic greeting can become frustrating, embarrassing, and even unsafe. Jumping is one of the common behavior problems dog...
How to Stop Your Dog from Counter Surfing for Good
If you’ve ever turned your back for just a second only to find your dinner missing from the kitchen counter, you’re not alone. Counter surfing is one of the most common behavior problems dog owners face, and unfortunately, it’s also one of the easiest habits for dogs...
The Complete Guide to Housebreaking Your Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — but let’s be honest, housebreaking can quickly test your patience. The good news? With consistency, structure, and the right approach, most puppies can learn proper bathroom habits much faster than owners expect. At Elite Dog...
Puppy Biting: Why It Happens and How to Stop It
If you’ve recently brought home a puppy, you’ve probably discovered one thing very quickly: puppies love to bite. Hands, ankles, sleeves, shoelaces, furniture — nothing seems off limits. While puppy biting can feel frustrating (and painful), it’s actually a normal...
The Importance Of Following Breed-Specific Advice
Different breeds have different personalities and respond to in-home dog training techniques in different ways. Therefore, if you are planning to buy more than one dog or if you happen to prefer having dogs of different breeds, I strongly suggest that you look for an...
Dog Biting
Amongst the most feared and dangerous dog behaviors is “Biting.” Even the most aggressive dog can be trained to improve its behavior considerably. However, To successfully deal with dog biting problems, finding out how the behavior began will be necessary. The best...
Home Dog Training vs. Obedience School
What is so important about in-home dog training? Couldn’t you just send your dog to obedience school? Technically, you DO have a choice of enrolling your dog in obedience school. But, as more and more satisfied owners discover, training conducted in the home...
