Basic Training of Commands
Suggested Rules:
Train your dog gently and humanely, teach him using motivational methods. Keep obedience sessions upbeat so that the training process is enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Avoid giving your dog commands that you know you cannot enforce. Every time you give a command that is neither complied with nor enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.
One command should equal one response, so give your dog only one command, then gently enforce it. Repeating commands teaches your dog that the first several commands are a "bluff '.
Avoid giving your dog combined commands which are incompatible. Combined commands such as "sit-down" can confuse your dog.
When giving your dog a command, avoid using a loud voice. When issuing an obedience command such as "sit”, or ""stay", your tone of voice should be calm and authoritative, rather than harsh or loud.
Many dog owners complain that their dogs are "stubborn", or that they "refuse to listen". Before blaming the dog, you must determine whether or not: a) the dog knows what you wants, b) he knows how to comply, c) he is not simply being unresponsive due to fear, stress or confusion.
Whenever possible, use your dog's name positively, rather than using it in conjunction to reprimands, warnings or punishment. Your dog should trust that when it hears its name or is called to you, good things happen.
When training, whether praising or correcting, good timing is essential. For example: You've prepared lunch which you left on your counter. Your dog walks into the room and he air-sniffs, then eyes the food, and is poised to jump up. This is the best, easiest, and most effective time to correct your dog.... before he's misbehaved.
Often, dog owners inadvertently reinforce their dogs' misbehavior, by giving the dog lots of attention when they misbehave. Needless to say, that behavior is being reinforced, and is therefore likely to be repeated.
Never train your dog when you're feeling grouchy. Earning your dog's respect is never accomplished by yelling, hitting, or handling your dog in a harsh manner. Moreover, studies have shown that fear and stress inhibit the learning process.
Come When Called - One of the most common training problems owners have with their dogs is that the dog will not come when called. We don’t mean to but we often Sabotage the training. The worst practice is letting the dog off the leash . From the dog's perspective, he's just having a little fun and it is YOU who ruins it by calling the dog to "come". Think about it. You’re at the dog park; he's playing with friends or swimming in the lake. Back home he's chasing birds in the back yard or digging holes in your garden, just having a great time until you come along to call him away. Selective hearing kicks in. This leads to your next problem. You are now frustrated, you’ve been calling and calling and well frankly he’s not done playing , and who in their right mind would come to that screaming maniac....would you? Now let’s see what you’ve taught your dog.
When you repeatedly call your dog and he does not come, then that must mean he doesn't have to. Or he only has to come after the billionth time called. If this is frustrating, leave the leash on until you have a solid recall.
Never "punish" the dog when he does come. Every time the dog is called to you it must be a positive experience. "Come" is the single most important command you can have. This command can save his life. Do not associate come as a bad thing, meaning you should never call the dog and then give him a bath, clip his nails or confine him.
Come - Always start on a lead or tether. Begin with a lure (treat). Introduce the recall by giving the dog a couple of nuggets of kibble for free, then quickly back up a few feet and say, "Come." Hold the food in an outstretched hand at the dog's nose level. Praise the dog all the time that she approaches and give the food as soon as she arrives. Timing is essential.
Once the dog comes readily, add a "sit” to the end of the recall and take hold of the dog's collar before giving the food.
Sit - Step One: Take the treat in your hand and let the puppy sniff it, keep it right in front of the puppy’s nose at nose level. Step Two: Slowly move the treat back over the puppy’s head. If the puppy is interested in the treat, it will want to follow the treat and will have to sit to do so. Step Three: When the puppy sits, say “sit” then give the puppy the treat along with gentle stroking and a warm, enthusiastic “good dog!” Step Four: Once the puppy knows "sit" get the whole family involved. Sit in a circle with the puppy in the middle, then have each family member call the puppy over and ask it to sit. Reward and treat, then let the next person call the puppy over.
Down - Teach down much the same way you teach sit by luring the puppy into position, following with a reward. Another method for teaching down is using "hands-off", allowing the puppy to find the position itself without hands pushing down. Start from a sit position, variation from a stand position. Step one: Have the puppy sit. Step Two: Hold the treat in front of the puppy’s nose and let the puppy sniff at the treat to pique its interest. Step Three: Slowly guide the treat down in between the puppy's front feet. The puppy should follow the treat down to the floor. Step Four: Depending on the puppy’s height you may then have to slowly move the treat forward along the ground so the puppy has to inch forward into the down position. Step Five: As the puppy goes into down position, say “down” then offer the treat and lots of praise and gentle petting.
Leash Walking- Most leash pulling begins as the dog sees the leash and knows she's about to go for a walk. If the walk begins to get out of control the precedent is set for the entire walk. Before expecting your dog to walk calmly beside you on leash, train her to stay calm when you are putting on her collar and leash! Ask her to sit-stay. If she does not stay, the walk is delayed until she does. Don't give in or she will learn that it's OK to be out of control.
Leash Training: Most dogs learn quickly that they must sit while the leash is being attached to the collar. If your dog bolts toward the door, dragging you behind, then the situation is still out of control. Simply hold onto the leash, stand still and let your dog dance around at the end of the leash. It may take 5 minutes, but your dog will realize that you are not going anywhere and then she will begin to calm down. When this happens, praise her for being good. After another minute or so, take your first step, but NOT towards the door. Instead, walk your dog around your house, garage, or yard to give her a chance to practice her "not-pulling" skills. Every time she pulls, lunges, or strains on the leash simply stand still. When calm, praise her. When you feel that your dog is in control, and is walking nicely without pulling in your house or yard, then it is time to proceed to the great outdoors.
Training Outdoors: Every time your dog pulls on the leash and you continue the walk you are rewarding her for pulling and lunging. Every time your dog gets out of control it is essential that you instantly stop the walk, stand still and wait for her to calm down before continuing. This takes patience. You may only get to the end of your driveway on your first outing, but if you give in to your dog's demands, then they will continue to pull.