Safety Guidelines

Your safety and your dog’s well-being come first. These guidelines help you train effectively while keeping everyone comfortable and safe. Please read them before starting any plan and revisit them whenever you introduce a new exercise.

Train with Positive Reinforcement

Our approach is built on reward-based, positive-reinforcement training. We recommend using treats, praise, and play to encourage good behavior. Do not use physical punishment, intimidation, shock, prong, or other aversive tools — these can harm your dog and make behavior worse.

Know Your Dog

• Work at your dog’s own pace and keep sessions short and positive.
• Watch for signs of stress or fear: lip licking, yawning, cowering, tucked tail, growling, freezing, or trying to move away.
• If you see these signs, stop, give your dog a break, and try again later with an easier step.
• Never force your dog into a situation that frightens it.

Create a Safe Environment

• Train in a secure, distraction-free space, especially when starting something new.
• Remove hazards such as small objects, toxic foods, cords, and choking risks.
• Keep your dog leashed or in a fenced area when working near roads, other animals, or people.
• Make sure fresh water is available and avoid training in extreme heat or cold.

Supervision, Children & Other Pets

Always supervise interactions between dogs and children, and teach children how to behave calmly and respectfully around your dog. Introduce other pets gradually and never leave a new pairing unsupervised until you are confident it is safe.

Health First

Before beginning any physical exercise, make sure your dog is healthy enough for activity — consult your veterinarian if you are unsure, especially for puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with existing conditions. Stop immediately and contact a vet if your dog shows signs of pain, injury, exhaustion, or distress.

Handling Aggression & Serious Behavior

If your dog bites, lunges, guards resources, or shows aggression toward people or animals, do not attempt to resolve it on your own with online guidance. Manage the situation to keep everyone safe and seek help from a qualified, in-person professional such as a certified behaviorist or your veterinarian.

Emergencies

In a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. If a person is seriously injured, seek appropriate medical or emergency help immediately.

Use Your Judgment

Our plans and AI guidance are educational and may not fit every dog or situation — see our AI Training Disclaimer. You know your dog best. If any instruction feels unsafe or inappropriate, do not follow it.

Contact Us

Have a safety concern or question? Email us at info@dogtrainingathome.us or use our Report an Issue page.