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CALL FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION AND EVALUATION
CALL FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION AND EVALUATION
Paige with her Great Pyrenees, Paris practicing the Bar and Solid Jumps.
Notes for obedience training your dog:
· Basic obedience training is the key to correct unwanted behaviors.
· Formal training leads to mental stimulus and confidence which is an important ingredient for proper behavior. Also be sure your dog has enough exercise and a balanced diet.
· It is highly recommended to follow the instructions taught to you and your dog. It is important to formally train your dog 30 minutes on a daily basis. Repeat the foundation exercises 5 reps and 2 sets per day. Heeling should be trained 10-15 minutes a day. Focus more on the problem exercises.
· Before speaking a command, be sure to establish eye contact and attention skills. ( use the term LOOK or WATCH ME ) When you get eye contact praise in an uplifting voice tone. For example "OH GOOD."
· Be patient when training. Try to communicate the correct response to your command by using voice intonation. (uplifting voice when praising and firm voice tone with commands and correcting faults) Use the lead to teach by guiding your dog to the proper response.
· We want our dogs to cooperate when training.
· Use the Positive Preventative Training Method. Always work your dog in a positive manner and try to prevent mistakes. Immediate corrections when the faults occur followed by praise.
· Use the Pop N Praise method when correcting with the lead. Pop and release the lead when checking then praise your dog for cooperating. Do not hold the lead tight when walking. Always teach heeling on a loose lead.
· Be consistent with the training.
· When starting the practice session be prepared. Understand the training exercises.
· Basic exercises are: heel, recall, stand, down, sit, wait and stay.
· Teaching your dog basic obedience will definatlely help with wanted behaviors vs. unwanted behaviors. Common problems are: jumping up, biting or nipping, counter surfing and jumping up on table, chronic barking, dominance, apprehension, food aggression and anxiety etc.
Read below to see how it all works.
Jonathan is preparing Kodi.
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Kodi is heeling properly on a loose lead in proper position.
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Kodi used to pull and sniff on his walks. In 8 weeks training he now walks nicely.
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Beginner Course
Pet-owner eye contact and respect; Stay commands; Controlled Walking and Heeling skills (on leash); plus any special needs as defined by you and your family.
Sit Settle
This exercise is wonderful to Develop Eye Contact and to Teach Attention Skills. When your dog is out of control and not listening, apply this exercise.
Stand in front of your dog and place both hands under the collar cupping the muzzle so the dog is forced to look at you. Keep your elbows locked and wrists locked especially if your dog is not compliant. If the dog becomes rambunctious lift the front legs off the floor and then gently place.
Simultaneously, give verbal corrections. For example, UH UH or Stop It or Knock It Off, etc. in a firm voice tone. Followed by praise in an uplifting voice tone. Your index fingers rub behind the ears while holding the collar and say," Good Boy, or Good Girl, Oh You're so Smart, Nice, etc."
Correct unwanted behavior and Praise wanted behavior, using voice intonation.
Once your dog is under control and attentive begin the obedience exercises or release your dog if it is not training time. Always go back to Sit/Settle when needed.
** NOTE: For small and toy breed dogs, kneel in front of your dog and then continue the above process.
Working the Sit/Settle with a large unruly dog.
Sebastian a 4 year old very large chocolate Labrador male was very difficult to sit and settle. He was never trained and very rambunctious . This exercise is the foundation for dogs to learn. If they are not attentive then they will not be able to hear or understand commands. Their minds and instincts will be at another place.
As he was jumping up scratching me with his long unclipped nails, made me more determined to get this boy under control. I tried to keep my elbows locked and my wrists locked as I held on to his collar cupping his muzzle with my hands to try to develop eye contact. As he was out of control I kept working him into a sit position and with verbal corrections each time he jumped and praised every time I got him to sit. This went on for several minutes as my client watched. I was beginning to get tired. It was very important that I prevailed.
Finally, Sebastian sat and was settled as I continued to hold him in place rubbing the back of his ears with my index fingers. His eyes became focused on mine as he sat still. Once I felt his body was relaxed I began the next exercise. The Stand/Wait/Sit.
Stand Wait Sit
Your dog is in a seated position and attentive. Kneel beside your dog and place your right hand under the collar as instructed. When ready command “STAND” and gently guide forward. With the left hand press up on the belly and stand your dog. Keep the left hand under the belly and with the right hand hold the muzzle straight and still, as I showed you to do. When the dog is calm, command “WAIT” and keep holding the belly. PRAISE. After several seconds command “SIT”. Bring the head upward with the right hand and with the left hand cup the rear and place into a sit. PRAISE. Repeat this 5 reps 2 sets daily.
1. Never press down on the dogs rear. Especially with puppies or small breed dogs. Always cup the rear.
2. Drag out your commands. By the time you finish saying the command your dog should be in the proper position. Proper timing is how dogs learn.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. With larger stronger dogs, its best to stand beside your dog to teach this exercise.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
10. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Down Command from a seated position
There are several techniques for teaching this exercise. Here is one of them.
Place your dog in a seated position and have an eye contact. Be sure your dog is attentive. Kneel beside your dog and take your left arm and place it over the its shoulder and with your left hand hold the upper left leg. Your right hand should be under the muzzle developing eye contact and attention skills. When ready drop your right hand and take hold of the right leg and command, DOWN. Walk the legs forward until the dog is laying. While doing this your left forearm is now resting on the shoulder. Once the dog is down take your left hand and place it on the wither. PRAISE. Then command WAIT with a right hand signal over the eyes, after 8-10 seconds command SIT. To get your dog to begin to sit from a down, place your fingertips between it's legs on the chest and whatever side your dog is laying place your right fingertips on the ribs. Command SIT and at the same time press and keep pressing with your fingertips until your dog pushes up into a sit position. PRAISE. Repeat 5 reps 2 sets daily.
1. Never press down on the dogs back or neck.
2. Drag out your commands. By the time you finish saying the command your dog should be in the proper position. Proper timing is how dogs learn.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating. No Rolling over. Your dog needs to be taught that DOWN means to drop and lay.
5. With larger stronger dogs, its best to stand beside your dog to teach this exercise.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
10. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Recall or Come When Called
There are three principle parts to train your dog to Come When Called reliably. First, When calling out our dogs name we want a good response. Second, when we get that response, command COME with a right hand signal. We expect our dog to come running directly to you. Third, when our dog approaches we want it to sit in front of you and look up establishing eye contact to accept PRAISE.
Begin with your dog in seated heel position and attentive. Command “WAIT”, with right palm give a hand signal by the dogs eyes and place tension on the lead with the left hand. (Please Note: If your puppy is not waiting properly yet, have an assistant gently hold your dog in seated position and immediately release your dog when the dog's name is called) Step out with your right foot and walk to the end of the lead. With the lead in your left hand, call your dog’s name firmly while you gently pop the lead towards you. After the dog gets up, step backwards say “ Oh GOOOD” and command “COME” while giving the right hand signal. ( As you command "come" extend your right arm outward palm facing your dog and wave your arm towards your chest ending signal with palm hitting your chest) PRAISE while the dog trots directly to you. Use the lead to teach your dog to come directly to you. When within arms reach command “SIT FRONT". With your right hand hold the collar under the muzzle and guide it upward while your left hand places the dog into a sit as you command “SIT/FRONT”. Then PRAISE. Eye contact.
NOTE: To get additional motivation, place a treat in your right palm and as your dog approaches you, hold the treat palm facing the dog by your knees and raise it upward and command SIT, place the puppy with your left hand, praise and then treat. Repeat several times and be consistent. You can alternate giving your puppy a treat. Always use verbal praise in an uplifting voice tone.
It is best to train without treats as we want our dog to be responsive to you and not because you are holding a treat. Only use them if necessary at this point.
1. Every time we want the dog to respond to it’s name immediately.
2. Every time when called we want the dog to trot smartly and attentively to you.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. If the dog breaks the wait do not correct, simply call the dog to you. ( Until your dog understands the wait command, then you should correct)
5. Always encourage our dog to come to you as we want our dog to be happy to be with you.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
10.Practice this exercise 5 reps 2 sets daily.
Heeling with variations
The most important exercise to teach your dog is to heel properly and reliably. We want to train our dog to eventually walk free without a lead. We want to train our dog never to leave our side, unless commanded to. How do we accomplish this? How do we communicate proper heeling no matter what the distractions are? When we turn our dog turns with us. We want to train our dog to watch you while heeling. When we stop walking our dog sits,stands, or lays down depending on our command. If we walk fast or slow we want our dog to change pace or walk at normal pace.
Dogs learn at different rates. It's never too late to begin training.
It's very important to initially train your dog where there are no or limited distractions. Eye contact, attention and cooperation skills must be developed.
Steps to begin to teach proper heeling:
1. Dog in seated position on your left side.
A. Dogs are always trained on the left side of the trainer.
B. Place your left hand knuckles forward on lead and be sure the clip is facing the ground and there is a U in the lead. When walking there should always be a U in the lead unless the dog is pulling,lagging, or sniffing. In those instances the lead will tighten. When in formal training mode there is no pulling, lagging or sniffing. These faults must be corrected with a slight pop release on the lead to teach the dog proper position and immediately place the lead in neutral position with the U. This is called Pop and Praise. If your dog is faulting more than two or three times in a row then sit your dog and get your dog to pay attention. Use Sit/Settle or Stand/Wait/Sit exercise to get your dogs attention.
C. When teaching your dog it's faulting, verbal corrections are, Ah! Ah!, Let's go, hurry hurry, with me, followed by PRAISE in an uplifting voice tone.
2. When ready say your dogs name, once the dog is up and moving command Heel. Praise. Step out with your left leg and if your dog does not respond teach it by popping forward on the lead and back to neutral. We need to have a great response when saying your dogs name. We want the dog to move! The pop action on the lead must be appropriate to the dog. Gentle for smaller breeds and firmer for larger breeds. Any type of collar or harness can be used with no problems.
A. With puppies, begin walking in a straight line then halt. Maybe 10-30 feet. As you come to a stop we need to teach your dog to sit.
B. Don't pull up on the collar with puppies. Simply when ready, place right hand under muzzle and left hand cupping the tail set and command sit. Lift up on the muzzle and gently place the rear into a sit. Hold position and praise.
C. Then begin again.
D. We do not allow our dog to mouth, bite or hold on to the lead. If this happens pop the lead and say "leave it". If the dog continues and does not respond simply sit and get your dogs attention. Do a stand wait sit or down wait sit exercise to teach your dog attention skills. Then begin again.
NOTE: Remember. Whenever correcting a fault by lead or verbal, follow it by praise in an uplifting voice tone or petting your dog. We want our dogs to understand proper behavior and proper walking position.
Train heeling at least 15 minutes each day.
Training the L Pattern
The L pattern is a great way to teach turns,circles and pace changes and be consistent in the training process. Have your dog seated in heel position and follow all the steps for heeling. ( above)
Develop an imaginary L on the street or area you are training. Grass areas for puppies are more difficult as there are more scents for puppies to be distracted and they will be interested in sniffing. More difficult to correct.
Begin by walking about thrity feet and make a 90 degree left turn. As you are walking no pulling, no lagging and no sniffing, correcting all faults. Keep your dog in heel position working on attention skills. You can pet your dog for encouragement, and talk in an uplifting voice tone to keep it's attention.
Then walk another thirty feet and do a right about turn. You will be stepping away from your dog. As soon as you are making your turn, call out your dogs name and gently pop the lead and praise teaching your dog to bend right and follow you. This technique is pop and praise. Do not pull or sling your dog around as this will not teach the dog.
Now you are walking back in the L and at the thirty foot area make a 90 degree right turn. Again you are stepping away from your dog so use the pop and praise to teach your dog to bend right to follow you.
When you are at the starting point do a left about turn and halt. Your dog sits. Praise verbally and pet. Left turns are easier because you are stepping into the dog and it just needs to pivot away from you.
Circles
After practicing the simple L pattern try inserting circle left and circle right. At any point in the L walk in a large circle and back into the L and at any point in the L walk in a large right circle and back into the L. Remember walking right you are walking away from your dog so use voice and pop and praise method to teach your dog to bend right walking with you.
Your pace should be normal. Train your dog to walk promptly and briskly.
1. It is more difficult if your dog is apprehensive. Try to be patient and coaxing is better. Work on building confidence . Even if it is 2 or 3 steps then sit. Praise. I will help with this type of temperment.
2. Always train with dog on left.
3. Use voice encouragement while heeling.
4. Say your dogs name on right turns and when starting off.
5. Always walk with a loose lead.
6. Correct pulling, lagging, sniffing.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. I will teach the proper techniques.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
10.Train at least 15 minutes per day.
Sit Stay
With your dog seated on your left side and attentive, command STAY while you wave your right palm towards your dogs eyes. The lead should be in your left hand with the clip above the dogs head. As you give the command to STAY gentle tension is placed on the lead. This teaches the dog not to move. Once settled step out with your right foot arms distance away and slowly take the tension off lead by lowering your arm.
Your dog should sit still initially for 30 seconds.
To properly release your dog, return back to heel position. ( dog is now on your left side) Place both hands on your dog not allowing it to move and PRAISE. Then pat your dog firmly on its chest and say in an uplifting voice tone OK BREAK your FREE and PRAISE again while getting your dog up and moving.
We want to teach the dog that STAY means never move, EVER until you return back Praise and RELEASE it.
Before repeating this exercise walk your dog around for a minute before practicing again.
Corrections: After you give the stay command, if your dog starts to flinch or move give a verbal correction reminder. ( AH,AH firmly then OH Good in an uplifting voice tone and "Stay"). Never use your dog's name. Saying your dog's name may cause it to get up or move.
If your dog gets up or lays down correct with a firm verbal NO and simply start exercise over again.
1. Give a firm Stay command with hand signal.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. I will teach the proper techniques.
6. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
7. Always start with your dog positioned on your left side.
8. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Down Stay
After commanding Down and your dog is laying quietly, ( as in the down/wait/sit exercise) place your left hand on the shoulder while saying STAY, (at the same time give a right hand signal waving your right palm to your dogs eyes and press firmly on the shoulder with your left hand). This will teach your dog to stay down. Step out and away from your dog. Not to far. Unlike the sit stay you will have no control with the lead. You can step on the lead. Be ready to verbally correct if your dog flinches or gets up. You can repeat the STAY command and don't move.
To properly release your dog, return back to heel position. ( dog is now on your left side) Place both hands on your dog not allowing it to move and PRAISE. Then pat your dog firmly on its chest and say in an uplifting voice tone OK BREAK your FREE and PRAISE again while getting your dog up and moving.
We want to teach the dog that STAY means never move, EVER until you return back, Praise and RELEASE it.
1. Give a firm Stay command with hand signal.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. I will teach the proper techniques.
6. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
7. Always start with your dog positioned on your left side.
8. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Sit Settle
This exercise is wonderful to Develop Eye Contact and to Teach Attention Skills. When your dog is out of control and not listening, apply this exercise.
Stand in front of your dog and place both hands under the collar cupping the muzzle so the dog is forced to look at you. Keep your elbows locked and wrists locked especially if your dog is not compliant. If the dog becomes rambunctious lift the front legs off the floor and then gently place.
Simultaneously, give verbal corrections. For example, UH UH or Stop It or Knock It Off, etc. in a firm voice tone. Followed by praise in an uplifting voice tone. Your index fingers rub behind the ears while holding the collar and say," Good Boy, or Good Girl, Oh You're so Smart, Nice, etc."
Correct unwanted behavior and Praise wanted behavior, using voice intonation.
Once your dog is under control and attentive begin the obedience exercises or release your dog if it is not training time. Always go back to Sit/Settle when needed.
** NOTE: For small and toy breed dogs, kneel in front of your dog and then continue the above process.
Working the Sit/Settle with a large unruly dog.
Sebastian a 4 year old very large chocolate Labrador male was very difficult to sit and settle. He was never trained and very rambunctious . This exercise is the foundation for dogs to learn. If they are not attentive then they will not be able to hear or understand commands. Their minds and instincts will be at another place.
As he was jumping up scratching me with his long unclipped nails, made me more determined to get this boy under control. I tried to keep my elbows locked and my wrists locked as I held on to his collar cupping his muzzle with my hands to try to develop eye contact. As he was out of control I kept working him into a sit position and with verbal corrections each time he jumped and praised every time I got him to sit. This went on for several minutes as my client watched. I was beginning to get tired. It was very important that I prevailed.
Finally, Sebastian sat and was settled as I continued to hold him in place rubbing the back of his ears with my index fingers. His eyes became focused on mine as he sat still. Once I felt his body was relaxed I began the next exercise. The Stand/Wait/Sit.
Stand Wait Sit
Your dog is in a seated position and attentive. Kneel beside your dog and place your right hand under the collar as instructed. When ready command “STAND” and gently guide forward. With the left hand press up on the belly and stand your dog. Keep the left hand under the belly and with the right hand hold the muzzle straight and still, as I showed you to do. When the dog is calm, command “WAIT” and keep holding the belly. PRAISE. After several seconds command “SIT”. Bring the head upward with the right hand and with the left hand cup the rear and place into a sit. PRAISE. Repeat this 5 reps 2 sets daily.
1. Never press down on the dogs rear. Especially with puppies or small breed dogs. Always cup the rear.
2. Drag out your commands. By the time you finish saying the command your dog should be in the proper position. Proper timing is how dogs learn.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. With larger stronger dogs, its best to stand beside your dog to teach this exercise.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
10. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Down Command from a seated position
There are several techniques for teaching this exercise. Here is one of them.
Place your dog in a seated position and have an eye contact. Be sure your dog is attentive. Kneel beside your dog and take your left arm and place it over the its shoulder and with your left hand hold the upper left leg. Your right hand should be under the muzzle developing eye contact and attention skills. When ready drop your right hand and take hold of the right leg and command, DOWN. Walk the legs forward until the dog is laying. While doing this your left forearm is now resting on the shoulder. Once the dog is down take your left hand and place it on the wither. PRAISE. Then command WAIT with a right hand signal over the eyes, after 8-10 seconds command SIT. To get your dog to begin to sit from a down, place your fingertips between it's legs on the chest and whatever side your dog is laying place your right fingertips on the ribs. Command SIT and at the same time press and keep pressing with your fingertips until your dog pushes up into a sit position. PRAISE. Repeat 5 reps 2 sets daily.
1. Never press down on the dogs back or neck.
2. Drag out your commands. By the time you finish saying the command your dog should be in the proper position. Proper timing is how dogs learn.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating. No Rolling over. Your dog needs to be taught that DOWN means to drop and lay.
5. With larger stronger dogs, its best to stand beside your dog to teach this exercise.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
10. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Recall or Come When Called
There are three principle parts to train your dog to Come When Called reliably. First, When calling out our dogs name we want a good response. Second, when we get that response, command COME with a right hand signal. We expect our dog to come running directly to you. Third, when our dog approaches we want it to sit in front of you and look up establishing eye contact to accept PRAISE.
Begin with your dog in seated heel position and attentive. Command “WAIT”, with right palm give a hand signal by the dogs eyes and place tension on the lead with the left hand. (Please Note: If your puppy is not waiting properly yet, have an assistant gently hold your dog in seated position and immediately release your dog when the dog's name is called) Step out with your right foot and walk to the end of the lead. With the lead in your left hand, call your dog’s name firmly while you gently pop the lead towards you. After the dog gets up, step backwards say “ Oh GOOOD” and command “COME” while giving the right hand signal. ( As you command "come" extend your right arm outward palm facing your dog and wave your arm towards your chest ending signal with palm hitting your chest) PRAISE while the dog trots directly to you. Use the lead to teach your dog to come directly to you. When within arms reach command “SIT FRONT". With your right hand hold the collar under the muzzle and guide it upward while your left hand places the dog into a sit as you command “SIT/FRONT”. Then PRAISE. Eye contact.
NOTE: To get additional motivation, place a treat in your right palm and as your dog approaches you, hold the treat palm facing the dog by your knees and raise it upward and command SIT, place the puppy with your left hand, praise and then treat. Repeat several times and be consistent. You can alternate giving your puppy a treat. Always use verbal praise in an uplifting voice tone.
It is best to train without treats as we want our dog to be responsive to you and not because you are holding a treat. Only use them if necessary at this point.
1. Every time we want the dog to respond to it’s name immediately.
2. Every time when called we want the dog to trot smartly and attentively to you.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. If the dog breaks the wait do not correct, simply call the dog to you. ( Until your dog understands the wait command, then you should correct)
5. Always encourage our dog to come to you as we want our dog to be happy to be with you.
6. I will teach the proper techniques.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. Always work your dog positioned on your left side.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
10.Practice this exercise 5 reps 2 sets daily.
Heeling with variations
The most important exercise to teach your dog is to heel properly and reliably. We want to train our dog to eventually walk free without a lead. We want to train our dog never to leave our side, unless commanded to. How do we accomplish this? How do we communicate proper heeling no matter what the distractions are? When we turn our dog turns with us. We want to train our dog to watch you while heeling. When we stop walking our dog sits,stands, or lays down depending on our command. If we walk fast or slow we want our dog to change pace or walk at normal pace.
Dogs learn at different rates. It's never too late to begin training.
It's very important to initially train your dog where there are no or limited distractions. Eye contact, attention and cooperation skills must be developed.
Steps to begin to teach proper heeling:
1. Dog in seated position on your left side.
A. Dogs are always trained on the left side of the trainer.
B. Place your left hand knuckles forward on lead and be sure the clip is facing the ground and there is a U in the lead. When walking there should always be a U in the lead unless the dog is pulling,lagging, or sniffing. In those instances the lead will tighten. When in formal training mode there is no pulling, lagging or sniffing. These faults must be corrected with a slight pop release on the lead to teach the dog proper position and immediately place the lead in neutral position with the U. This is called Pop and Praise. If your dog is faulting more than two or three times in a row then sit your dog and get your dog to pay attention. Use Sit/Settle or Stand/Wait/Sit exercise to get your dogs attention.
C. When teaching your dog it's faulting, verbal corrections are, Ah! Ah!, Let's go, hurry hurry, with me, followed by PRAISE in an uplifting voice tone.
2. When ready say your dogs name, once the dog is up and moving command Heel. Praise. Step out with your left leg and if your dog does not respond teach it by popping forward on the lead and back to neutral. We need to have a great response when saying your dogs name. We want the dog to move! The pop action on the lead must be appropriate to the dog. Gentle for smaller breeds and firmer for larger breeds. Any type of collar or harness can be used with no problems.
A. With puppies, begin walking in a straight line then halt. Maybe 10-30 feet. As you come to a stop we need to teach your dog to sit.
B. Don't pull up on the collar with puppies. Simply when ready, place right hand under muzzle and left hand cupping the tail set and command sit. Lift up on the muzzle and gently place the rear into a sit. Hold position and praise.
C. Then begin again.
D. We do not allow our dog to mouth, bite or hold on to the lead. If this happens pop the lead and say "leave it". If the dog continues and does not respond simply sit and get your dogs attention. Do a stand wait sit or down wait sit exercise to teach your dog attention skills. Then begin again.
NOTE: Remember. Whenever correcting a fault by lead or verbal, follow it by praise in an uplifting voice tone or petting your dog. We want our dogs to understand proper behavior and proper walking position.
Train heeling at least 15 minutes each day.
Training the L Pattern
The L pattern is a great way to teach turns,circles and pace changes and be consistent in the training process. Have your dog seated in heel position and follow all the steps for heeling. ( above)
Develop an imaginary L on the street or area you are training. Grass areas for puppies are more difficult as there are more scents for puppies to be distracted and they will be interested in sniffing. More difficult to correct.
Begin by walking about thrity feet and make a 90 degree left turn. As you are walking no pulling, no lagging and no sniffing, correcting all faults. Keep your dog in heel position working on attention skills. You can pet your dog for encouragement, and talk in an uplifting voice tone to keep it's attention.
Then walk another thirty feet and do a right about turn. You will be stepping away from your dog. As soon as you are making your turn, call out your dogs name and gently pop the lead and praise teaching your dog to bend right and follow you. This technique is pop and praise. Do not pull or sling your dog around as this will not teach the dog.
Now you are walking back in the L and at the thirty foot area make a 90 degree right turn. Again you are stepping away from your dog so use the pop and praise to teach your dog to bend right to follow you.
When you are at the starting point do a left about turn and halt. Your dog sits. Praise verbally and pet. Left turns are easier because you are stepping into the dog and it just needs to pivot away from you.
Circles
After practicing the simple L pattern try inserting circle left and circle right. At any point in the L walk in a large circle and back into the L and at any point in the L walk in a large right circle and back into the L. Remember walking right you are walking away from your dog so use voice and pop and praise method to teach your dog to bend right walking with you.
Your pace should be normal. Train your dog to walk promptly and briskly.
1. It is more difficult if your dog is apprehensive. Try to be patient and coaxing is better. Work on building confidence . Even if it is 2 or 3 steps then sit. Praise. I will help with this type of temperment.
2. Always train with dog on left.
3. Use voice encouragement while heeling.
4. Say your dogs name on right turns and when starting off.
5. Always walk with a loose lead.
6. Correct pulling, lagging, sniffing.
7. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
8. I will teach the proper techniques.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
10.Train at least 15 minutes per day.
Sit Stay
With your dog seated on your left side and attentive, command STAY while you wave your right palm towards your dogs eyes. The lead should be in your left hand with the clip above the dogs head. As you give the command to STAY gentle tension is placed on the lead. This teaches the dog not to move. Once settled step out with your right foot arms distance away and slowly take the tension off lead by lowering your arm.
Your dog should sit still initially for 30 seconds.
To properly release your dog, return back to heel position. ( dog is now on your left side) Place both hands on your dog not allowing it to move and PRAISE. Then pat your dog firmly on its chest and say in an uplifting voice tone OK BREAK your FREE and PRAISE again while getting your dog up and moving.
We want to teach the dog that STAY means never move, EVER until you return back Praise and RELEASE it.
Before repeating this exercise walk your dog around for a minute before practicing again.
Corrections: After you give the stay command, if your dog starts to flinch or move give a verbal correction reminder. ( AH,AH firmly then OH Good in an uplifting voice tone and "Stay"). Never use your dog's name. Saying your dog's name may cause it to get up or move.
If your dog gets up or lays down correct with a firm verbal NO and simply start exercise over again.
1. Give a firm Stay command with hand signal.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. I will teach the proper techniques.
6. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
7. Always start with your dog positioned on your left side.
8. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Down Stay
After commanding Down and your dog is laying quietly, ( as in the down/wait/sit exercise) place your left hand on the shoulder while saying STAY, (at the same time give a right hand signal waving your right palm to your dogs eyes and press firmly on the shoulder with your left hand). This will teach your dog to stay down. Step out and away from your dog. Not to far. Unlike the sit stay you will have no control with the lead. You can step on the lead. Be ready to verbally correct if your dog flinches or gets up. You can repeat the STAY command and don't move.
To properly release your dog, return back to heel position. ( dog is now on your left side) Place both hands on your dog not allowing it to move and PRAISE. Then pat your dog firmly on its chest and say in an uplifting voice tone OK BREAK your FREE and PRAISE again while getting your dog up and moving.
We want to teach the dog that STAY means never move, EVER until you return back, Praise and RELEASE it.
1. Give a firm Stay command with hand signal.
3. Be ready to correct faults and praise proper response using voice intonation.
4. Be sure your dog is cooperating.
5. I will teach the proper techniques.
6. Setting the proper foundation is key for advanced training.
7. Always start with your dog positioned on your left side.
8. Never say your dogs name when training this exercise.
9. Use proper voice intonation when correcting and praising.
Intermediate Novice Course
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.
Off-leash and Long-leash training of Beginner skills, but with distractions present (such as Heeling while on a busy street)
Advanced Novice Course
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.
Off-lead training of Beginner skills with distractions present; Fetch, Carry, etc.
Championship Course
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.
Custom-designed, professional training for AKC Show Dogs.
