Basic training for your Dog

The most important thing to remember is do not lose your temper with your dog, keep training to short sessions say 10 minutes three times a day and to make training fun. Your dog will respond better and learn faster.

SIT

With a treat in your hand (let your dog see the treat) stand in front of your dog and raise your hand so that it is just out of your dog’s reach (but not so high that he jumps for it). With your other hand gently push his hindquarters down and say in a firm voice sit. Praise him and then release him from the sit position. Repeat this until you are using less pressure to push him to sit and then no pressure and he is sitting on his own accord.

DOWN

Start in the sit position and show your dog that you have a treat in your hand, then lower the treat slowly to the floor saying down in a firm voice. Your dog should automatically lie down and when he does reward him with the treat and praise. Repeat several times until the dog responds automatically.

STAY

Once your dog is used to sitting and lying down on his own you can teach him how to stay. Whilst he is sitting gently touch his nose with your upturned palm and walk away from him (only a foot or so) saying in a firm voice stay. When he moves just put him back into the sit position in the original place, touch his nose with your upturned palm and start walking away again, if he moves again repeat the above process. After a few tries he will understand what is required and will stay. When he does give him a treat and a fuss and repeat the exercise until he stays without moving.

WALK TO HEEL

If you can teach your dog to walk to heel it will make taking him for a walk more enjoyable for the both of you. Firstly you need to know that heel training is done on the left-hand side for safety reasons (your dog will always be away from traffic and walkers by).

Hold the lead across your body in your right hand and your left hand should hold the lead by your left thigh (this give you greater control over the lead and your dog). When your dog starts pulling forward just stand still, if your dog continues to pull give the lead a short but firm tug and wait for your dog to turn and look at you. Call him to you telling him he’s a good boy as he comes to you and continue walking. Giving the command heel, when he pulls again repeat the above and when he is walking by your side just say heel to him a few times so he associates walking by your side with the heel command. If you don’t want your dog by your side at all times then a flexi lead is suitable as he can then walk and sniff about in front of you without pulling the lead.

JUMPING UP

Each time your dog jumps up at you give him the command to sit. When he is sitting give him gentle praise and a little fuss (do not over excite him as he will jump up again). Repeat as necessary. He will associate this behaviour with sitting and will after a little training sit without being told to do so.

STAND

This command requires a lot of repetition before your dog will stand on command. It isn’t as easy to teach as the sit or down command but with patience it is a valuable command for your dog to know. When your dog is in the sit position give the command to stand, at the same time put one hand on your dog’s tummy (palm upwards) with both hands gently lift him into the standing position. Don’t overly repeat the exercise as your dog will get bored, lose concentration and will not learn as quickly. Try to incorporate the exercise into play and other training.

COME

It is important that your dog comes to you when called and I found the following exercise was a fun way to teach my dog this command. You will need either a friend or other family member to help you. Ask your helper to hold your dog and whilst doing so you go and hide in another room in the house, then call your dog saying Rover come. You may find that you have to repeat his name several times for your dog to find you and when he does give him plenty of praise and an extra special treat, whilst is he having the fuss and treat your helper will then hide and call your dog to come and again praise, fuss and treat. The reason I say give an extra special treat is because you want your dog to stop whatever it is he is doing and to come to you, even if it’s playing with his favourite toy.

This fun exercise turned into my dog’s favourite daily game, I would hide somewhere in the house and he would excitedly find me, he even found me hiding in the shower one day. Excellent if you ever get separated whilst out walking.

NO

Every dog should learn this command. It is best to start teaching this command as soon as your puppy or dog is brought home. If your dog starts chewing on a slipper or shoe or your child’s toy approach him take the object and say no in a firm voice, no other form of action is needed, do not hit or slap your dog, If he still continues to chew again take the object away and again say no in a firm voice. Your dog will soon learn that the pleasurable act of chewing on the slipper actually results in you getting annoyed which is a non-pleasurable act (your puppy will want to please you).

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