Build the training up slowly, this way the improvements will be solid. A couple of five-minute sessions each day will improve listening skills towards you and general obedience.
Take it at the speed your
dog is ready to learn as all dogs vary. Keep it simple, short, and
light-hearted, and stop if you’re feeling tired or the dog is looking fed up
with it all…
Also aim to implement simple sits and stays as you go about your daily business
in the home, so you are actually training all day long in every situation.
Be sure to give your cues once in a nice clear, firm manner. Avoid repeating the
cues.
Sit.
Bring your treat hand back and between the dog’s ears so he looks up, and
give the “sit” cue at the same time. Wait for a sit, and then treat. Give the
cue once and wait. A gentle hand down the back to his hips can place the dog
into the position if he resists or looks miles away. Do not use pressure to get
the desired position, rely more on your treat hand as you draw it back above the
dog’s head. A “hands off” approach is best.
Down.
Once sitting, you can take a treat past the nose in a smooth curve down to
the floor at the point the feet would slide to once in the down position. Give
the “down” cue as he lies down. You may have more success on a shiny floor
enabling you to gently push to the floor as you give the cue. With
smaller dogs, you can try the under the knee technique: as the dog crawls to get
the treat under your knee you can stop it in the right position and treat there.
Stay.
Use a firm, flat voice to give the
“stay” cue. To begin with, just take a couple of paces back (someone holding the
collar or fix the dog to a secure point might be best at first), pause and
slowly return and treat. As it improves, you can pause for a longer period and
get further and further away. Move slowly, and avoid eye contact that is likely
to make your dog move from the spot.
If your dog should move,
say ‘Ah-Ah’ in a calm way, walk back and put it back in place. Try again
straight away. Do be sure to build this up slowly.
Later on, you can try to do brief stays whereby you are out of sight for a
second or two, and again build it up from there.
Use the garden as your dog
becomes steadier, and then bring these exercises into other areas such as parks
and fields with greater distractions. A long line on your dog in these areas may
assist with control.
Heel.
Start by walking your dog in little circles both ways on either side of
your legs in the garden using little treats, and you should see a nice movement
as the dog goes along. Do figure of eights, and left and right circles. Make it
varied, inserting plenty of downs, stays, recalls and returns to the dog. Sit
the dog from time to time to treat and praise.
If the dog pulls,
immediately stand still and wait for him to come back to you. As soon as he
makes that move you can move off again. Patience is a virtue! It may take some
time to move any distance but it does work if used consistently!
Recall
Call your dog to you frequently in the house throughout the day. Keep some
treats on you at all times! Calling the dog to you should be done with a really
bright voice, open arms and a low posture for encouragement. Then do the same
exercise in the garden. You might like to use an extending lead at first when
out (the Flexi brand is the longest and best constructed). This way your dog
cannot run off and you can control him. Give plenty of recalls on each walk. Use
cheese or chicken as tasty treats. If your dog should ignore your first call,
give a short tug on the line to get attention, and then give the recall again
with loads of enthusiasm. When the dog comes in ask it to sit, take it by the
collar, then treat and give plenty of physical praise also. Keep the dog with
you for a short time, then say ‘Free!’ to release the dog again ready for the
next recall when the time is right.
I am very happy to provide further support if required. Good luck! Any problems or concerns, ring me on 028 4273 8867 or 07809 385116.
Carol Clark DownDog 2008