Training Tips

 

Important points to remember when training your dog:
(aka: Do's & Don'ts")


ALWAYS follow a correction with PRAISE! If you have to pop the
leash to correct your dog, immediately after say "Good Boy" (or
"Good Girl" as the case may be). Give the command and the signal,
then pop the leash and follow immediately with "Good Boy". Give
your dog a chance to obey your command and signal before popping
the leash. If he obeys your command and signal there is no need
to correct him by popping the leash. When your dog obeys your
command and signal, don't keep repeating the command. If he is
sitting it is not necessary to keep telling him to sit. A word
of PRAISE such as "Good Boy" is all that is necessary.

Remember that there are no "stupid" dogs only ones that are confused
as to what is being asked of them. It is important to be consistent and
clear with your training so your dog can understand what's being asked
of him. Here are some "DO'S" and "DON'T'S"...

 

DON'T'S:

DON'T train when you are angry, upset, too tired, or had a bad day.
Your dog will instantly pick up on your mood.

DON'T expect your dog to work right after he's eaten.

DON'T discipline your dog after you've given him the "COME"
command. Your dog will associate a reprimand with coming to you.

DON'T "jerk" the collar, use a soft "pop" and quick release.

DON'T tow your dog around on a tight collar when heeling.

DON'T get angry with your dog and lose your temper 

DO'S:

DO keep a happy sounding voice when working with your dog.

DO keep talking to your dog and keep his focus and interest
on you

DO keep a loose leash whenever possible

ALWAYS end a training session on a success. You should end on
a happy note where the dog is doing something he understands
and therefore does well.

DO give the collar a soft "pop" and release it quickly when giving a
correction to your dog.

DO be consistent in your verbal commands and hand signals.

DO go back to the beginning when you first taught your dog an
exercise if he is having difficulties. No matter how well trained or
experienced a dog is, trainers often have to re-trace the beginning
steps.

ALWAYS praise your dog when he does it right

DO keep training FUN!

Lesson 1

"HEEL ON LEASH"

Begin with the dog sitting at "Heel" position on your left side. The leash is held in your right hand. The left hand is used for correction only. Say "FIDO, HEEL", step out with your left foot, at the same time motion forward with your left hand. If the dog lags behind pop the leash forward with the left hand and say "HEEL". Talk to your dog while heeling, get his attention on you, not the other dogs. PRAISE him, tell him he's a "Good Boy". Keep your distance from the dog ahead of you. Walk at a normal pace.


"SIT"

Begin with "HEELING". As soon as you stop, say "FIDO, SIT", pull back and up on the leash
with your right hand, push down on your dog's rear with your left hand all at the same time.
PRAISE him.


"ABOUT TURN"

This is done while "HEELING". About turn to your RIGHT, say "FIDO, HEEL" and at the
same time pop the leash forward. Proceed in the opposite direction. Don't pull your dog around
the turn, don't stop, keep walking. Don't forget to PRAISE him & tell him he's a "Good Boy".

"SIT - STAY"

Begin with the dog sitting in "HEEL" position, on your LEFT side. The signal for "STAY" is
given with a downward motion of the left hand, palm of the hand towards the dog's nose.
Say "STAY", give hand signal, step out with your RIGHT foot and stand directly in front of
your dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog stays, wait a few moments then step back to the
side of your dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog moves when you step in front of him, say
"NO" and place him back in "SIT" position. Start again, tell him to "STAY", give hand
signal, step in front again. Repeat several times until the dog will stay without moving, then
gradually move further back each time until you are standing at the full length of the leash.
Do not pull the leash tight. Don't foget to PRAISE him when he does it right!



Lesson 2

"RETURN TO YOUR DOG"

Start with the "SIT - STAY", walk back to the end of the leash, turn and face
your dog. Walk back to your dog, holding the leash off of the floor with the
left hand. Walk to your dog's left side, keep leash on the other side of the dog,
go around back of the dog and stand beside your dog.

Your dog must not move from the "SIT" position. Wait a moment, then PRAISE
your dog! If the dog moves, say "NO", place the dog back in the "SIT" position and
repeat the exercise until you can walk around your dog without him moving.

"COME" (or "RECALL")

Start with the "SIT - STAY" command and signal. Walk to the end of your leash, turn
and face your dog. Say "FIDO, COME", gather the leash in your hands as the dog
comes to you. PRAISE him, make him feel happy to come to you.

If your dog doesn't come when you call him, call him again, pop the leash towards you
at the same time, and walk quickly backwards several steps until he is coming to you.
Coax him to come and PRAISE him when he does come.

You should practice 10 times as many "SIT - STAYS" as "RECALLS". Your dog will stop
staying in the sit if he expects to be called each time you go to the end of the leash. When
you call your dog, do not sound threatening but use a happy cheerful voiced. Never use
a "COME" command if you are going to reprimend your dog, EVEN IF HE'S JUST EATEN
YOUR BEST PAIR OF SHOES!!!

Lesson 3

"SIT IN FRONT OF HANDLER"

When your dog comes to you on command, say "SIT"when he is in front of you, pull up on
the leash to get him to sit straight in front. Tell him he's a "Good Boy". Stand up straight! Don't
lean over your dog.

If your dog doesn't sit in front of you on command, repeat the exercise and as soon as he is in
front of you, say "SIT", pull backwards on the leash with your RIGHT hand and push the dog's
rear into the "SIT" with your LEFT hand. Say "STAY" and stand up straight again.
Tell him he's a "Good Boy". Keep your tone of voice happy. When he does an exercise correctly,
let him know you are pleased with him. A dog that is happy enjoys working for you and will perform
better.

For every recall with your dog sitting in front, you should do 2 "fun happy recalls"!

HEELING "FAST" and "SLOW"

While "HEELING", the instructor will say "FAST" - this means run or jog. Your dog should keep pace
with you. When the instructor says "SLOW", this means a very slow walk, about half the speed of the
normal "HEELING". Again, your dog should adjust his pace to yours.

"DOWN BESIDE YOUR DOG"

With the dog sitting on your LEFT side, kneel down beside your dog. With your RIGHT
hand hold leash at the clip, then take hold of the dog's RIGHT front elbow. Reach over the
dog's back with your LEFT arm and grasp the dog's LEFT front elbow. Say "DOWN".
Gently lift up BOTH front legs of the dog at the same time using your LEFT arm
over the dog's shoulder to press down on the dog. With the RIGHT hand still holding the leash
at the clip keep a gentle downward pressure on the collar. Hold the dog in this position for a few
seconds then "release" & give him lots of PRAISE.

A "release" is a word you use to release your dog from whatever command you just gave him.
(eg. "OK")

Lesson 4

"FINISH TO HEEL POSITION"

This is done after the "RECALL" when your dog is sitting in front of you.

- put your leash in your RIGHT hand
- Step back on your RIGHT foot
- Say dog's name "FIDO" and "HEEL"
- Pop the leash towards your RIGHT side
- Pass the leash behind your back to your LEFT hand
- As you step forward on your LEFT foot, give a light forward "pop" on the leash
- Bring your RIGHT foot level with your LEFT.
- Transfer the leash to your RIGHT hand pulling up on the collar and pushing down
on your dog's rear with your LEFT hand as you say "SIT".
- Wait a moment then PRAISE "GOOD BOY"


OR

- Say "FIDO" and "HEEL"
- Pop the leash and step backwards with your LEFT foot
- With your LEFT hand on the leash, guide the dog to your LEFT side
- Turn your dog around towards you
- Step forward with your LEFT foot
- Transfer the leashss to your RIGHT hand pulling up on the collar and pushing down
on your dog's rear with your LEFT hand as you say "SIT"
- Wait a moment then PRAISE "GOOD BOY"

This exercise can be done either way. Whichever method you choose, use the same
method every time. Don't switch from one to the other or your dog will be hopellessly
confused.

Lesson 5

"DOWN"

From the "SIT" position, hand signal is a downward movement of the LEFT arm, hand held
parallel to the floor, palm down. Hand signal will be used after the dog has learned the command
"DOWN". Don't forget lots of praise when he does it right.

"DOWN - STAY"

Begin with the dog down in "HEEL" position, on your LEFT side. The signal for "STAY"
is given with a downward motion of the LEFT hand, palm of the hand towards the dog's nose. Say "STAY", give hand signal, step out with your RIGHT foot and stand directly in front of the dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog stays, wait a few moments then step back to the side of your dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog moves when you step in front of him, say "NO" and
place him back in "DOWN" position. Start again, tell him to "STAY", give hand signal, step
in front again. Repeat several times until the dog will stay without moving, then gradually move
further back each time until you are standing at the full length of the leash. Do not pull the
leash tight. Don't forget to PRAISE him when he does it right!

"STAND" Start with "HEELING". The hand signal is a forward motion of your RIGHT hand in front of the dog. Say "STAND", give the hand signal, stop, and at the same time move LEFT hand along far side of the dog to a position in front of the back leg to prevent the dog from sitting. Be careful not to pull on the dog's fur or skin or stick your fingers in the dog's side. This is a very sensitive area of your dog. Don't let dog lean against you. PRAISE him. Repeat the exercise several times until use of your LEFT hand is not needed.

LESSON 6

"SIT FROM THE DOWN POSITION" With the dog at "HEEL" position, "DOWN" your dog. The hand signal is an upward motion of the RIGHT hand palm up, in front of the dog. Say "FIDO. SIT". pull upwards on the leash with your LEFT hand or as you use the upward motion of the RIGHT hand bring your hand under the dog's chin and lift him up into the "SIT" position. This combines the hand signal and leash correction at the same time. PRAISE your dog when he does it right! "STATIONARY STAND" From the "SIT" position, say "FIDO, STAND" and at the same time take 2 or 3 steps forward and give the hand signal, holding the RIGHT palm forwards with the collar pulling forward on the leash out in front with your RIGHT hand. If needed, use your LEFT hand as before to prevent the dog from sitting. Stands up straight then PRAISE him. Repeat "STAND & STAY" several times. . "STAND STAY" "STAND" your dog in "HEEL" position, on your LEFT side. Say "STAY", give hand signal, step out with your RIGHT foot and stand directly in front at the dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog stays, wait a few moments then step back to the side of your dog. PRAISE your dog. If the dog moves when you step in front of him, say "NO" and place him back in "STAND" position. Start again, tell him to "STAY", give hand signal, step in front again. Repeat several times until the dog will stay without moving, then gradually move further back each time until you are standing at the full length of the leash. Do not pull the leash tight. Don't forget to PRAISE him when he does it right! "STAND FOR EXAMINATION" "STAND" your dog. Tell him to "STAY" and give the hand signal. Walk to the end of the leash and face your dog. Don't forget to step out with your RIGHT foot. The dog must not move his feet when the Instructor touches his head, back and rear. Return to your dog in "HEEL" position.