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Dog Training Obedience

Dog Obedience Training & Behavior Modification Techniques for Puppies and Dogs

Obedience training involves a dog learning to obey basic control commands such as sit, down, and heel.

There are many methods of training, just as there are a variety of types of trainers. Training has evolved and shifted away from punishment or negative reinforcement, to positive reinforcement. This is where the dog is rewarded for doing the correct thing, rather than being punished for not doing what the trainer wants.

Standard training consists of:    (click links on right or scroll down)

Sit Come Stay Down Leash training

SIT

The sit command is one of the easiest commands a dog will learn. This command can be taught from the day your puppy/dog is brought home.

Due to the construction of a dogs neck and spine, it is physically impossible for them to look upwards. In order for a dog to look up at something high they must assume the sitting position. This is why it is one of the easier commands to teach.

The "Sit" Command:

1. Stand facing your puppy/dog.
2. Let your dog see/sniff a treat in your hand.
3. Move your hand up and over their head - it is natural for your dog to sit in order to keep eye contact with the treat.
4. Give the "sit" command when you see your puppy/dog begin to sit down.
5. Reinforce the sit command with verbal praise (something like: "Sit…Good Boy…sit") and food treats.

Tips:

• When Giving the command "sit", say it only once. This is so your puppy/dog doesn't learn to associate the command with repetition of the command.
• Gradually reduce the food rewards - the praise will be reward enough.
• Practice this many times each day - before meals, before walks or before playing with toys - combine the commands "come" and "sit" - for example call the dog to receive it's meal. Before the meal is placed down command the dog to "sit". Reward the dog by placing the meal on the ground.
• Practice this with your dog in different positions and locations - facing you, by your side, while walking, before crossing street, etc.

Troubleshooting:

If your puppy/dog will not sit, some gentle guidance may be necessary.

1. Hold the collar with one hand.
2. While gentle pulling back on collar, use the other hand to push down or tuck its hindquarters under - guiding the dog into the sitting position.
3. Give the command "sit" as you do this
4. Reward the dog with verbal praise.

COME

The "come" command is another one of the easiest commands for a puppy/dog to learn. Like the sit command this can be taught from the day your puppy/dog is brought home.

The "Come" Command:

1. Put your dog on a long lead.
2. Let your dog see/sniff a treat in your hand.
3. Have somebody hold your dog for you - issue the command "stay" and walk 6-10 steps away (this will help them learn the "stay" command also).

• NOTE: if your puppy/dog knows the "stay" command, have them stay.

1. Turn to face your dog, holding the treat in your hand at your side, call your dog buy using it's name followed by the command "come". (you can gently gather in the long lead to encourage them to come to you).
2. When your dog comes to you, give the treat and reinforce the "come" command with verbal praise (something like: "Come... Good Boy").

Tips:

• Each time you have something pleasing for your dog (when they are not nearby), meal, toy, walk, use the "come command". By associating the come command with pleasing rewards, your puppy/dog will eagerly come to you when commanded.

• When Giving the command "come", say it only once. This is so your puppy/dog doesn't learn to associate the command with repetition of the command.
• Gradually reduce the food rewards - the praise will be reward enough.
• Practice this many times each day - before meals, before walks or before playing with toys - couple the commands "come" and "sit" - for example call the dog to receive it's meal. Before the meal is placed down command the dog to "sit". Reward the dog by placing the meal on the ground.

Troubleshooting:

If your puppy/dog will not "come" when there are distractions, the above command needs to be practiced while distractions are present. Examples of distractions you can practice with are people, dogs, and play toys.

STAY

1. Have your dog sit or lie down.
2. Stand with the dog on your left, hold the palm of your left hand in front of your dog and command "Stay".
3. While keeping eye contact with your puppy/dog walk a short distance out in front and turn around to face them.
4. Repeat the command "stay" reward your dog by saying "good dog".
5. Keep eye contact and frequently reward your dog as they 'stay' with "good dog" - start with 20-30 second intervals then gradually extend the duration until your puppy/dog can stay for several minutes.
6. A good way to end the "stay" command is by saying your dogs name followed by the command "come". (this continues the training for "come")

Advanced "stay" training:

1. To train your puppy/dog to stay in your absense, repeat the first 4 steps above then leave the room.
2. Use a mirror to look round a corner or through a door make sure the dog does not move
3. After a couple minutes, return to the side of your dog and reward them with "good dog" while still in stay position - do not reward dog for getting up.
4. End the command with the word "ok".

Tips:

• Do not use treats in your hand as a reward when training the stay command as your dog will want to come to you for the reward. Reward your dog with verbal praise during the 'stay' command using a calm quiet voice so you don't excite them.
• Begin with a short distance and short stay duration, then gradually increase both over time.

• Practice this many times each day - before meals, on walks before crossing roads etc.
• For effective training combine the commands "sit", "stay" and "come" - for example make the dog 'sit', then command 'stay' - walk away with their meal, call the dog to 'come' and receive it's meal. Reward the dog with praise and the meal.

Troubleshooting:

If your puppy/dog will not "stay" when there are distractions, the above command needs to be practiced while distractions are present. Examples of distractions you can practice with are loud noises, people, dogs, and play toys.

DOWN

1. Have your dog sit.
2. Let your dog see/sniff a treat in your hand.
3. Start to move the treat downwards toward the floor, your puppy/dog should follow the treat.
4. As your puppy/dog follows the treat down, move the treat away from the puppy/dog in front of it's body.
5. The moment your puppy/dog starts to move into the down position, command "down".
6. Continue to move treat away from the dogs body until it is lying down.
7. When your puppy/dog is lying down, give the treat and reinforce the "down" command with verbal praise (something like: "Down…Good Boy").

Tips:

• When Giving the command "down", say it only once. This is so your puppy/dog doesn't learn to associate the command with repetition of the command.
• Only reward your dog with treat or praise when they are in the down position, not after they get up.
• Gradually reduce the food rewards - the praise will be reward enough.
• Practice this several times each day - before meals, before walks or before playing with toys - combine the commands "sit" and "down" - for example call the dog play with toy. Before the toy is given command the dog to "sit" and "down". Reward the dog by giving the toy and playing.

Troubleshooting:

If your puppy/dog will not 'lie down', some gentle guidance may be necessary.

1. Kneel down beside your dog.
2. Place your palms under the dogs forelegs (do not grip legs) and lift upwards, so your dog looks like their in a begging position.
3. Lower your puppy/dog into the lying position.
4. Give the command "down" as you do this
5. Reward the dog with verbal praise.

LEASH TRAINING

Getting your puppy use to a leash:

• Start indoors - attach a light-weight leash to your puppy's collar and let the puppy drag it around, so it can become familiar with it.
• Don't leave your puppy alone while the leash is attached
• Do this several times over a few days and pretty soon your pup won't even notice the leash.

Walking on a leash:

The key to training your puppy/dog to walk is to keep them beside you, controlled, not dragging you and you not dragging them.

You will need the right equipment - a leash about 3-5 feet long and a collar that won't slip off (choke-chain).

For more dog leash collar training - CLICK HERE

 

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