|
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Training of Commands
"Focus": Start
by having your dog on a 6 foot leash (loose). Stand very
still. Do not say or do anything! Wait
until your dog looks at you, then give the reward before he
looks away. Timing is everything. Repeat until you have
his complete attention.
"Sit":
Show your dog the food, holding it in your hand so that he cannot
take it. Keep your hand very close to his face. Slowly
move your hand from his nose to his forehead, causing the head to go
up, putting slight pressure on the rear if needed for the first few
times. Command "Sit" and give the reward when
the dog sits. Do not tell your dog to sit without using
the food unless your dog truly knows the command. Remember,
do not repeat the command. "Watch":
Once you have your dog's attention, and have gotten him to sit -
while keeping the food close to his nose, move around your dog -
using the food to keep him sitting, so that your dog is on your
left. With your dog now sitting on your left, quickly move
your hand and the food up to either your leg, hip or shoulder.
(Depending on the size of your dog and the amount of attention you
can get.) Command "Watch" and immediately give
the reward before the dog looks away. Repeat several times.
Timing is very important.
"Release":
After every command you give your dog, before your dog moves or gets
up, give a release to let him know he is done. It can be
"OK", "Break", "Release", or any word you choose.
Use it as a command just like "Sit". Use it
every time you tell your dog to do something. Don't let him
release himself. "Sit - Stay":
Have your dog sit at your left. Command "Stay",
and put your hand flat in front of his face. Step in front of
him, then return to his side, - reward and release. Be sure
that the food is out of your hand when you move. As he
improves, increase the time and distance.
"Sit" for Exam:
Have your dog sit, and have a person come up to him to pet him.
Keep him in a sitting position, and hold him if you have to - but do
not let him get up or jump. Praise and reward. Don't
forget to release.
"Sit" for
Everything: Done mostly at home. Ask your dog to sit
before you do anything for him. Before you give him anything,
and before you even play with him. Command your dog to
"Sit" at the door before letting him out, but only if he is
house broken. You can also ask other things of your dog such
as "Down", "Shake", "Speak", as long as he is doing
something that you asked him to.
Sit at Doors - "Wait":
Have your dog on a leash and ask him to sit next to the door.
Keeping your dog in a sit, open the door, then give the release
command and let him go through the door. The more you practice
this, the better your dog will do it. Eventually, you can just
hold his collar, and with even more practice, by command only.
You must practice this at least 5 times per week.
"Down":
From a stand: Show him the food. Keeping it very
close to his nose, move your hand slowly down to the ground between
his feet, keeping the reward in your hand. Then, using a
slight back angle, he will be forced to lower the front half of his
body. Then, if needed, put a small amount of pressure on his
back half. Command "Down" and give the
reward, but only when he is completely, all the way down. Then
"Release". Remember, this should create a
backwards, rocking movement.
"Down": From a
sit: Showing your dog the food, move your hand slowly down
to the ground between his feet. Keeping the food in your
hand, draw your hand along the ground in a forward motion. This
will force the dog to come forward to receive the food. If
needed, put your other hand down on his shoulders to help him go
down. Command "Down" reward and "Release". "Down" - Stay:
Have your dog down. Put a hand full of treats on the
ground between his legs. Walk quickly in front, and then
around your dog. Give more food and walk away again.
GIVE LOTS OF FOOD return to his side, wait until he finishes the
food, then "Release" before he moves. "Stand":
Using food, lure your dog out of a sit. Your dog will be
moving so as soon as he gets up, hold your hand still. Put the
left hand under his belly and command "Stand".
Give the reward when all four feet are still. Do not reward
if your dog is moving. "Off":
When your dog jumps on you, or others, command "Off"
and pull down on his lead or collar. Immediately praise and
reward. Be sure not to cause the dog to jump again.
Command him to "Sit" and keep him sitting using food.
You'll need to set up the situation. Don't wait 'till company
comes to visit. Practice every day.
Recall - "Here":
With your dog on a long line, let your dog wonder
away from you. Command his "Name" and
"Here", wait 1/2 second, then pull him in using the lead.
Run backwards to get him to come faster. When he gets to you,
have him sit in front of you, reward and praise, then release. You can say
"Good Dog" but do not repeat the "Here" command.
Do not let your dog run by you. For the first
few times, you may need to give a good yank on the lead. After
several times, your task will be to get your dog away from you so
you can call him. You may need to get some help to distract
your dog.
Recall with
Distraction: Same as "Here", but let your
dog get interested in something else, then call him to you. You
should start setting up situations to practice. Example, roll
a ball, a cat running, someone on a bike, a person walking into your
yard, or another dog. Your dog must learn to come under all
situations. Remember never repeat the "Here"
command.
"Drop":
When your dog has something in his mouth, offer to trade it for a
piece of food and command "Drop It" or "Out".
When he drops it, give the reward. Never chase your dog to get
something from him. He will only run and think that you are
playing with him.
Controlled Walking:
Walk your dog on a 6 foot leash. When you are doing this, it
is Okay to let him go to the end of the leash, as long as he is not
pulling. If he begins to pull, you can stop and just ignore
him until he comes back to you, then continue the walk.
Another way to help correct pulling is to turn and walk in the
opposite direction as many times as needed. The dog soon
learns that if he pulls he doesn't get very far.
|
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Lesson 1
| New
Exercises |
| Focus - Feed and walk backwards
"Sit" - Having your dog sit
at your left side. |
Focus - goal is
attaining dog's complete attention on you.
The 5 principals of
training
- Praise
- Practice
- Patience
- Correction
- Consistency
|
Reminder - Practice in
a quiet familiar place and be patient.
|
______________________________________________________________________________ |
|
Things To Remember
There is no one way to train.
If the method you are using is not working, try something else.
Do not get frustrated. Your dog will sense this and either get confused or
think it's a game and make it worse.
Each dog is different.
Not only is this true, but each dog will learn differently as well.
Do not judge your dog with others in your class or in the world. If
you feel your dog is not all he could be, take it upon yourself to change
it. His behavior is a direct result of your efforts. Marginal efforts
result in a marginally obedient dog. Great efforts result in greatly
obedient dogs. Great efforts need not last forever, but daily
practice and reinforcement does.
Different breeds of dogs...
were developed for different reasons or purposes.
Try to find out from where your breed originated and for what purpose.
This may help with present or future problems. Example; Labs are
hunting dogs and have high drive and tolerance. This mandates a
specific handling ability by you - not difficult - just learned.
Pre Training;
Always ask your dog to do something for you before you
do something for him. Command "sit", then pet him. Command
"down", then feed him. This practice not only daily reinforces the
correct pack order, but is an opportunity to practice obedience and
reinforce what is expected.
Teaching: Initial correct response first time. Training:
Getting correct response on a consistent basis.
Home training;
The whole family, or anyone who interacts with the dog,
should know the dog's commands and must use the same words. "Down"
and "Lay Down" are 2 different commands. Pick one that everyone is
comfortable with, and use only that command.
Puppies are cute when little...
and develop bad habits easily. Remember, never let your puppy
do something that you wouldn't let him do as a full grown dog.
i.e.. Jumping, nipping, full biting, etc.
Dogs give love...
and companionship, but they require time, care, fences, and money.
Be prepared, be aware, and be smart.
Never call a dog to you....
to punish him. He will not come to you next time. Always
reward him for coming to you. If your dog runs from you, try walking
in the opposite direction and make a fuss as if what you're doing is
really great and fun. Chances are he will come over to check it out.
Dogs are very social creatures and like to be with you. If you chase
them, they think it's a game, and you'll never win.
Pack leadership;
Dogs view their family like a pack of dogs. There is a specific
hierarchy with one leader (alpha) and each member has a place.
Preferably, your dog should look to you as his leader. Obedience
training continues to reinforce your leadership.
Dogs do not understand...
past-tense or the future. Never punish a dog for
something that he did an hour ago or while you were gone. If you
catch him in the act, or better yet, catch him thinking about it, or just
starting to do it, just clap your hands and say "NO" to
distract him.
Never give a command...
unless you are willing to follow through if your dog doesn't listen.
Don't give a command while you are in the tub unless you are willing to
get out of the tub to reinforce. If you give a command that he does
not obey, and you don't reinforce, his lesson is - sometimes I
don't have to listen. This is the root of many owner's problems.
Start good habits early, after all, you expect good habits from him.
|
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
Training Problems
Reason dog does not obey
- Dog is confused/ does not
understand
- Dog is afraid
- Dog is distracted
- Dog feels he has a choice
|
Method of correction
No harsh corrections.
Set up a situation where the dog
cannot make a mistake.
Lots of praise when the dog
succeeds.
Break exercise down into simple
steps.
Set up distracting situations and
correct with lead.
Set up situations where the dog
will make a mistake and correct.
Repetition in unique situations. |
|
______________________________________________________________________________ |
Dog training is a
unique and wonderful sport. It spans all ages, all lifestyles,
all economies, and includes both sexes. It stimulates the mind
as well as the body. It teaches compassion as well as
sportsmanship. Dog training strengthens patience and
understanding of yourself, your dog, and others around you. Once
you leave beginners, dog training takes on a new perspective.
View the problems and stumbling blocks as growth. Accept the
conflicts as learning experiences. Nothing worth doing, is easy!
|
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Lesson 2
Review
Focus - Feed and walk
backwards
Sit
|
New exercises |
|
Sit - for
everything
Release word
Sit - Stay
Heel |
Reminder - Keep
training short and fun. Praise...Praise...Praise... Have
your dog sit for everything, then praise. The dog will learn
that he is rewarded for the correct response. Change locations
when training.
If you are having
problems with an exercise, ask yourself; does the dog understand the
task and what I want him to do? Break it down into simple steps
and teach step by step. Blame yourself for your dog's mistakes!!
|
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Voice Tones and
Praise
Dogs do not understand
words. They learn sounds and tones. Use - extremes.
Praise should be high pitched and very happy. Commands should be
strong and direct. Corrections must be deep and meaningful - but
no yelling. A low growl is preferable.
Always use lots of
praise. Physical, verbal, or reward, praise must follow every
correction or command. Remember, you are not disciplining, you
are instructing your dog.....teaching.
|
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Housetraining Hints
If you have never trained a puppy, two
things will surprise you. First, the number of times it has to
go out during the day, and second, the amount that comes out in
relation to what went in.
Housetraining, in the sense of having
the puppy indicate that it has to go, can be accomplished in 3 - 5
days by following these hints. If the puppy is left alone during
the day, it will take longer.
-
Feeding: Puppies need
to be fed up to 4 times a day. Adult dogs are fed twice per
day. Always feed at the same time, even on weekends.
Dogs thrive on a regular schedule. Feed the right amount -
loose stools are a sign of over feeding. Dry stools are a sign
of under feeding. After 10 minutes, pick up the dish and put it
away. Do not have food available at other times. Keep
the diet constant. Abrupt changes will cause digestive upsets.
-
Establish a Toilet Area:
Always take the dog to the toilet area when you want him to
eliminate. If possible, this area should be a straight line
from the house. Stand still and let him concentrate on what he
is doing. Be patient, give command "Hurry Up" or
"Go Potty". After he is done, praise him.
-
When to take the dog to the
toilet area: After eating or drinking, after waking up,
and after he has played or chewed. Signs to watch for are
sniffing while circling.
-
Dealing with accidents:
If your dog has had an accident in the house, do not call him
to you to punish him. It's too late. Always keep calm.
Clean up the mess making sure your dog is not watching you.
Use white vinegar as a cleaner or "Natures Miricle". Do not use any ammonia-based
cleaners.
-
Catching your dog in the act:
Sharply call his name and clap your hands. If he stops, take
him to his toilet area. If he doesn't, let him finish and
don't get mad. Do not try to drag him out because that will
make your cleanup job that much more difficult.
-
Hint: Until your puppy
is reliable, it is not a good idea to let him have the run of the
house.
-
Relapses: Should your
dog have a relapse once he has been housetrained, have him examined
by your veterinarian.
-
Crates: Crates are
very useful throughout a dogs life. For house training, it is
imperative. It makes your work a lot easier. At the same
time, it makes it a much easier lesson for the puppy, eliminating
confusion, and building on the lessons that his mother taught him
(do not eliminate in the same area that you sleep). Please
refer to www.thetotalcanine.com ,
"Informative Articles", "Crate Training".
|
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Lesson 3
Review
Focus - Feed and walk
backwards
Sit for everything
Release Word
Sit - Stay
Heel
|
New exercises |
|
Recall
Recall with
distractions
Stand |
Reminder - Praise must follow every
correction and command. You are not disciplining, you are
teaching your puppy.
Next week is
socialization walk
|
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Pack Leadership and
Temperament
Dogs view their human
families like a pack of dogs. There is one leader (alpha) and each dog
or family member has his place with no ties in rank. Is your dog
the leader?
Different breeds of dogs
were developed for different reasons. Find out where your dog
originated from and what that breed was bred for. This may help
you with problems you are having (or could have in the future).
Example; Labs are hunting dogs and have a high tolerance.
This requires specific handling skills.
Each dog has a different
temperament and will learn differently. Do not judge your dog by
others in the class.
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
Lesson 4
Review
Focus - Feed and walk
backwards
Sit for everything
Release Word
Sit - Stay
Heel
Recall
Recall with
distractions
Stand
|
New Exercises |
|
Socialization Real World
Practice
Review All |
Socialization is the
single most important facet of a puppy's development. If the
puppy is not properly socialized, he will be afraid of, or uncertain
of his environment. We must do all that we can to expose
them to as much as possible. Take your puppy in the car as often
as you can, walk him through parking lots, parks, and crowds.
Hope you enjoyed the
socialization walk last week. Next week is the last class.
We will do a complete review and discuss some problem solving.
|
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Care For Your Dog
|
Always begin grooming as soon as you
get your puppy so that he gets used to being handled by you and
your veterinarian.
Every dog
needs a good brushing not less than once per week. Long
haired dogs need brushing 3 times per week.
Use this time to check your dog
all over. A thorough grooming session once per week will
save you a costly trip to a groomer or even the veterinarian.
Your dog needs a bath when he
smells like he needs a bath. Make it fun.
Cleaning ears; Moisten a piece of
cotton with apple cider vinegar (ACV) and water in equal parts.
Wipe out ears. ACV controls unfriendly bacteria or yeast,
common culprits for causing ear infections. Should your
dog's ears get red and sore at any time, or emit an unpleasant
odor, consult your veterinarian.
Have your dog spayed or neutered
after it is 6 months of age. Neutered pets live longer,
healthier lives, and make superior pets. Whatever you do,
don't bring unwanted pets into the world. |
Clipping Nails
(Items needed are nail clippers and small treats.)
You need to clip your dog's nails
when you can hear him coming.
-
With your dog laying down next
to you on the floor, gently take hold of one paw. Hold for
a few seconds, praise and give treat. Repeat until
you can hold each paw to the count of ten.
-
With your dog laying down, take
a paw in one hand and touch one nail with the clippers. Do
not cut nail. Repeat until you can touch each nail
with no struggle.
-
Have dog in a "Down" by
your side. Use clippers to cut the tip of 1
nail. (If you draw blood, you have cut to deep).
Praise and give treat. Repeat until you can cut one nail
on each foot.
-
With your dog in a "Down",
take hold of 1 paw and put a little pile of treats under his
nose. Let him eat the treats while you cut the nails of
one foot.
-
Repeat step 4, giving treat
after every completed foot.
-
Repeat step 4 but give
treats after you complete all 4 feet.
|
|
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Your New Puppy and
His Safety
Vet Office
Your puppy is not fully
immunized until 4 months of age. When taking your puppy to your
vet, do not allow him to be placed on the floor of the waiting room.
Also, be sure to stay away from other dogs. After your puppy has
had his series of shots, it is Okay for him to be placed on the floor.
Public Parks
Do not take your puppy to
parks or public places until after he is immunized. Do not allow
him to play with strange, unvaccinated dogs.
Collar Safety
Never leave a collar on
your puppy where he could hook himself and choke. Use a nylon or
leather buckle-type collar until he is at least 6 months to one year
old. Be sure to check for proper fit. Provide your puppy
with a name tag that states his name, your name, address and phone.
The tag will be a good form of I.D. in case your puppy is ever lost.
Stairs
Do not allow you puppy to
climb stairs. Pick your puppy up.
Children
Do not allow your
children to pick up your puppy. Have the child sit down on the
floor with the puppy. Children can be rough (and some adults
too). Do not pull or bend your puppy's ears or tail. This
could cause floppy ears or even break his tail.
Dog Theft
People steal dogs.
Never leave your puppy unattended or in an area where someone could
steal him. If he has a kennel, or a fenced yard, when you
are away, be sure to padlock the gate when you leave.
Play Time
Never play rough with
your new puppy unless you want him to play rough when he is 90 pounds.
Never allow family members or friends to tease him or to play rough
with him. Provide your puppy with lots of toys such as old socks
tied into knots, rubber balls, Kongs, fleece toys, Nylabones, hoses,
etc. When toys become unsafe, throw them away to keep your puppy
from getting harmed. Puppies can choke on rubber squeakers
and small toys. Tennis balls act as sandpaper on teeth and
indestructible balls grind teeth. Use toys as obedience tools.
Training
Training should be a form
of play. Set aside 10 - 15 minutes each day to play/train your
new puppy. Start training your puppy a few days after taking him
home. The most important thing to teach your puppy is a reliable
recall. Your puppy should come to you the first time he is
called. Work on this routinely. It could save his life
and will make your life easier. Never chase your puppy.
Puppy - Proof Your
Home
Just as you do for a
human child. Puppy proof your home before you take him home.
Don't wait until your puppy gets into trouble. Prevent it.
Tape electrical cords and wires to walls, gate off stairs, lock up
chemicals and medications.
Poisons
Antifreeze is lethal
in any amount. A teaspoon can kill your puppy. Worse yet,
it tastes sweet so your puppy likes it. Even adult dogs die from
antifreeze. Many household plants can be deadly. Keep a
list of poisonous plants handy. Bakers chocolate can also be
harmful to dogs.
Aspirin
Buffered aspirin is Okay
to give your dog for aches and pains. Check with your vet for
proper dosage. Never give your dog Tylenol or Advil. These
products can be deadly.
Housebreaking
The best method for
housetraining is to use his crate at night or when you are not at
home. See the article on Crate Training
on the informational page of www.thetotalcanine.com.
The three magic times they have to do their "duty" are after they
eat, play, or sleep. Be sure to take your puppy out
immediately after each. Watch your puppy at all times. The less
mistakes, the quicker he will learn. The first few weeks take
him outside every hour to the same area. When he does his duty,
give lots of praise and come back inside immediately. Remember,
the key here is to praise after each successful trip and its a
business trip. Don't turn it into a play trip. If you do,
he will manipulate you for life. There's a time for business and
a time for play. Mistakes ( messes); Never punish the puppy.
Do not yell at, hit, or rub his nose in it. If you catch your
puppy in the act, say a firm NO. Take the puppy outside to
finish, and praise him. Do not use newspaper in the house for
house breaking. You will be teaching the wrong message.
Remember, if your puppy has an accident in the house, it is your fault
not his. Also see housetraining hints earlier in this document.
General
Please remember never
to leave your puppy unattended. Always keep your eye on him just
like a toddler. Two minutes out of the room can mean big
trouble. When you shower, crate him.
If you ever have any
questions or problems with your pet during any stage of his life,
please feel free to call us or contact us through our website.
We will always do our best to help you.
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
Lesson 5
Review
Focus - Feed and walk
backwards
Sit for everything
Release Word
Sit - Stay
Heel
Recall
Recall with
distractions
Stand
|
New Exercises |
|
Problem solving
Down Command |
Reminder: Keep training
fun. Commitment will determine success. Do not expect your
dog to learn and do well if you do not spend time practicing.
You have learned a lot. Your dog has learned a lot. Keep
practicing. Having your dog sit for everything ( or "down", or
"heel", or "paw", etc.), is an excellent way to keep training daily and
it only takes a few moments. It also reinforces pack order on a
daily basis. Keep doing what you have learned and never stop
working with your dog. This knowledge and your practice is your
key to success. You are well on your way to The Total Canine.
Thank you
and
Good Luck
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
A Few Important
Hints
-
Be consistent:
Don't let the dog sleep on that $800 couch one day and punish him for
doing it the next day. Enforce whatever rules you establish.
-
Be fair: Don't
expect the dog to climb the stepladder to replace the light bulb in
the ceiling fixture until you have taught him how to do it and you are
sure he understands it.
-
Be honest: Before
you fault your dog for any failings, ask yourself "have I done my job
in teaching him"?
-
Be realistic: Only give a
command if you are in a position to enforce it. While the dog is
in the living room, and you are in the bathtub, don't tell him to sit
unless you are prepared to get out of the tub and make him do it.
-
Be aware: An
enthusiastic handler will have an enthusiastic dog and every handler
gets the dog he deserves. You be the judge.
Above all remember the 3
P's
| 1. Persistence |
If at first you don't
succeed. try, try again. |
| 2. Patience |
The virtue of saints.
You may not be one, but you can always aim for it. |
|
3. Praise |
It's the reward for
doing it correctly and the cornerstone of your relationship with
your dog. |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
A Dog's Plea
Treat me kindly, my
beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for
kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit
with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your
patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you
would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for
your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the
fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon
my waiting ear.
Please take me inside
when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer
accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the
privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with
fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I
may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your
side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life,
should your life be in danger.
And, my friend, when I am
very old and no longer enjoy good health, hearing, and sight, do not
make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.
Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave
this earth knowing with the last breath I draw, that my fate was
always safest in your hands.
A Dog's Friend in Kansas
City, MO
|
_______________________________________________________________________________ |
How Long Will You Be
Gone
Even 10 minutes could be
too long for a pet to be left in the car on a hot day. By then,
the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees. That's
hot enough to cause a dog to suffer heat stroke. Within
moments, your dog could sustain permanent brain damage. If emergency
care is not given, your pet could die.
The short stop you plan
to make at the store could stretch to 15 minutes or more before you
know it. Your mistake could cost your dog his life.
Leaving the windows cracked won't cool the car enough to protect your
pet.
Of course your dog would
like to go with you everywhere, but when the weather turns warm,
better park your pet at home.
|
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|
