Sit * Be ready with a small piece of your dog's favorite treat. * Stand facing your dog or puppy. * Holding the treat in front of your dog's nose, move the treat up toward the top of his head high enough that he can just barely reach it. * If your dog lifts his front feet off the ground, you are holding the treat too high. * When your dog lifts his head and shoulders to get the treat, his bottom should go down. * As soon as your dog is in the sit position "click" and treat and praise him by saying "Good boy, sit." Hug him and give him a treat. Practice this many times. It may take 10 times before your dog understands! When you think he knows the word "sit", try it without the treat. If he doesn't sit, don't say anything. Just try it with a treat again. Praise him whenever he does what he is supposed to do. Tip: When you give the command to "sit" say it only once. Don't repeat it because your dog will learn that he doesn't have to sit the first time. If he dosen't sit the first time, just go back to practicing with the treat again. Don't forget to say "good boy" whenever he is working hare! |
Down * Have your dog sit. *Let your dog sniff a treat you are holding, but don't let him have it. *Lower the treat to the floor, and as you are doing that, your dog should follow it down. * Be sure to say "down" as your dog begins to lower himself. * Your dog should lower himself all the way to the floor. *The moment your dog's elbows hit the ground "click" and treat or say good boy . Repeat the exercise several times. Keep things Happy! Practice this several times during the day as your watching TV, or as your working in the kitchen. Tip: After your dog has learned the command to "down" Its okay to make your dog down and stay for 10-15- or 20 minutes. It is ok if he falls asleep! Once in a while it is helpful when he needs to calm down. |
Heel Leash training for puppies: * Start by attaching a light-wieght leash to your puppy's collar. * Drop the leash and let the puppy drag it around. * Call your puppy, tell her "good girl" , and pet her. * Leave the leash on for only a few minutes and never leave it on her when you are not with her. * Do this several times over a few days and pretty soon your pup won't even notice the leash. * First, you need a 4 foot leash and a collar that won't slip off. * Start by having your dog sit on your left side facing front just like you. * With a treat in your left hand put it in front of the dog's face and let her lick it. * As you say "Heel " take a step starting with your left foot. * Walk at your normal walking pace and talk to your dog while your walk. * Go a few feet, then stop. You can praise her now, or you can have her sit and then praise her... as long as she stays with you. |
Stay * Have your dog sit; make sure he is sitting comfortably. * Stand to his right, put the palm of your hand in front of his face and say, "stay". * Step away using your right foot. * Take only one or two steps, turn and stand right in front of your dog. Wait only a few seconds and then return to your dog's side. * When you finish, say "Ok"!. Get your dog to move and give him a big hug and a kiss. Really praise him! * Do this several times over the next few days. When your dog seems steady, you can increase the time that you stand in front of him. * If you want to give your dog a treat, give him small pieces while he's in the "stay " position. (Say, "stay"--click and treat) Don't feed him after he moves, or he will have trouble staying while he is waiting for the treat. Note: If you and your dog have fun practicing, your dog will become more confident. Learning things actually makes your dog smarter! Proofing is practicing "stay" under many different circumstances. Here are some things your can try: Have your dog "stay" in the house and you go out side. Have him stay when you have friends over. Roll a ball past him while he is on a stay. Practice next to another dog. Never over do it. Be kind to your dog, proofing is not to tease him, but to show him exactly what "stay" means. Your dog will become more confident as he begins to understan the meaning of "stay". |
Come For puppies and young dogs. * Have a friend help you. * You can use a treat if you like or just lots of enthusiasm. * Put a light-weight leash on your puppy, or a Flexy lead. * Tell him to "stay," and you walk about 6 steps away.Turn around, face your puppy and say, "______,come". * As soon as you say "come" your puppy will run to you (retract the flexy lead) or let him drag the leash behind him. * Say the word, "come" only one time but with lots of excitement and happy body language. * When he arrives, reward him with the treat, or click and treat (big reward) *Repeat this several times over many days, but you must always end this lesson on a good , happy note. *Remember to always stay in a fenced area! and Never chase the dog if he doesn't come immediatly to you. Tip: If you have one or more dogs that are reliable when they come to you,practice the lesson have a friend help you , have the dogs sit and stay. Walk several feet away, turn and with your bag of treats wave it and say "Come!" When the dogs come to you make a big fuss give treats and hugs and kisses. The less experienced dog should come along with the other dogs because he dosn't want to miss out on the treats and praise. *Reapeat a few times and end lesson on a good note. Tip: Never, Never scold your dog for running away from you. When he finally comes, shower him with love and affection. If your in the yard or an inclosed area and he dosen't come immediately, get his attenchen and then turn and walk the oppisit derection .If he dosen't return immediately end the lesson and go behind a closed door. When you greet him the next time be happy. |
Off The word "off" is used when you want to get your dog's feet OFF of something, like furniture, the fence, or someone's body. * First, get your dog or puppy to put his front feet up on your lap. Praise and pet him. Shortly after, say "off" in a firm, but gentle voice. If he doesn't get off, you can stand up. Be sure to say "off" as you stand up. When your dog is on the furniture: * Whenever your dog is on something he shoulden't be, say the word, "off" as you help him off. He will eventurally connect the action with the word. Tip: every time your dog is about to get off of something, say the word "off" not the word down. (you get "off" of something and you lay "down".) |
Don't Tuch or Leave It Don't touch or Leave it is one of the most important things you can teach your dog. It could save your dog from eating something that could hurt him. * First find 2 treats that your dog likes. Then take the treats and your dog over to a place on the floor or to a low table like a coffee table. *Put one treat in your pocket and set the other on the floor or table right in front of your dog's nose. *As you set this treat down, your'll notice that your dog's noise is following your hand down to the treat. As you set it down, say Dooooon't tuch or Leeeeave it! in a low and firm voise,but don't yell. Keep your hand right there. If your dog leans in to get it, just cover it and repeat the comand Dont' tuch or Leave it. *Wait just a few seconds, then grab the treat and praise your dog. Tell him what a good dog he was and give him the treat that was in your pocket. * Repeat this game several times a day, just for a few minutes. As your dog starts to understand what "Don't tuch" means, you may bein to move your hand away just a little bit father each time. Evenentually. you should be able to leave sanwich or a cup of coffee on the table and be able to trust that your dog will lieave it alone. |
Watch Me Teaching your dog to pay attention to you is very important. If you can get your dog to ingnore things around him and focus on you, it will be much easier to teach him things. Teach "watch me" just like you would any other command or trick. If you spend time teaching your dog to pay attention now, he will be a much better student for other commands later. * Be ready with a small piece of your dog's favorite treat. Put the treat in your hand so your dog can see it and then raise the treat up to your face and the moment the dogs eyes look at your face give him the treat. *Stand or sit facing your dog. *With the treat in your hand raise it up and to the side and back to your face say "watch" the second the dogs eyes meet with your eyes click and treat. Practice Watch me many times during the day. It may take a long time before your dog understands. When you think he knows the words "watch me" try it again, this time with two treats. one in front of your face say "watch" and with the other hand toss a treat on the floor. If the dog looks away when you drop the treat tell him leave it (do not give him a treat) Try again. With the treat in front of your face say "watch", drop the other treat if the dog is still looking at your face IMMEDIETLY give him the treat thats in front of your face tell him OOOOH what a goood boy! The lesson of "watch me" is helpful when your on the street and someone or another dog walks by you can tell your dog to watch me and he will remain focused on you and not get destracted by other things. |
LESSONS |
