TRAINING YOUR DOG

Training, your pet is important. It helps build a strong bond between you and your dog, and makes your dog the companion animal that you want. The more you train, the loser you two will become and the more secure your dog, Will feel.

Training should begin as soon as You bring your dog home using such basic commands as "SIT," "DOWN," "OFF", "STAY" and "COME." Training should continue throughout the dog's lifetime, slowly building for more difficult behaviors. Be sure to praise your dog, immediately once the command has been successfully completed. After the behavior is completed, it is a good idea to release your dog from the command using words such as "release," "break" or "at ease." If you don't use a release command, your dog won't know when you want him to stop performing the command and will make that decision for himself, not always when you wish. Consistency is the key to successful dog training.

An obedience class led by a professional dog trainer will help you and your pet cram a greater understanding of each other and give you the skills to train your dog more successfully.

When you take on the job of training, remember:

· Be positive; never hit your dog, jerk on the leash or otherwise treat the dog roughly.
· Be firm; give commands in a clear tone, preceding the command with your dog's name.
· Train frequently and for short periods of time, always ending on a positive note.
· Be consistent and patient.
· Respond immediately.
· Reinforce good conduct using dog treats as reward for correct response.
· End all sessions with a great deal of praise and affection.

Following are some basic commands. We will use a treat in these suggestions, which is one method of teaching your dog these commands. Your dog obedience instructor can give you a variety of methods with which to work.

Sit: Have a small piece of treat in your hand. Slowly place your hand, holding the treat, near your dog's nose. Slowly raise your hand thereby leading your dog's nose up, which will usually cause the dog to sit. Give your dog a treat and praise only when your dog actually is sitting. Repeat these actions several times. Now add the dog's name and the command "sit." Release your dog using your release word after your dog sits. If your dog is leaping up, you're holding your hand too high; hold it right at nose height and move slowly.

Down: Have a small piece of treat in your hand. Slowly place your hand, holding the treat, near your dog's nose. Move your hand down to the floor luring your dog's nose and eventually the dog's whole body to follow. If your dog began from a standing position, bring the treat to the floor slightly, back and between the dog's front legs. If your dog began from a sitting position, bring the treat to the floor between the dog's front legs and then slide the treat forward away from the do, until she is down. Give the dog the treat and praise only when it is actually down. Repeat these actions several times then add the dog's name and the command "down." Release your dog using your release word after the dog has completed the down.

Off: This command is very important as well. A jumping dog is a happy and excited dog!!! Start teaching the "OFF" command when your dog is still a puppy and you will spare yourself many muddy shirts!

When most puppies are little, their "people" inadvertently encourage them to jump up. It is not very distressing to have a little pup jumping up on your ankle or shin, in fact, it's kind of cute. So, the puppy learns from early in life that if he wants attention, he should jump up on his "person" and they will reward him for it with praise and attention. As the puppy gets older and bigger his "people" all of a sudden decide that what they have taught him to do (jumping up for attention) is now putting paw prints on their favorite shirts! You can start teaching "OFF" at this point, or if you're lucky, you will have taught your puppy "OFF" from the beginning!

Teach your dog the "OFF" command when he is not excited, and doesn't particularly want to jump up. Say "UP" and encourage the dog to jump up on you or on a piece of furniture. When he jumps up say "GOOD UP!" and praise your dog. Then say "OFF!" and push your dog's chest so that he must release and put all four paws on the ground. When all four paws are on the ground say "GOOD OFF!" Kneel down so that you can give your dog praise and attention. Keep doing this exercise, at least three times a day. ALWAYS end the teaching lesson by kneeling down and giving your dog praise and attention. This will make him eager to obey the "OFF" command.

After your dog is familiar with the "OFF" command (about 2 days to 2 weeks) begin using it when he's really excited and jumps up on you. (Usually when you just come home.) The most important thing to remember when executing the "OFF" command is to kneel down and give your dog praise and attention IMMEDIATELY when he puts four paws on the ground!

If you are teaching a dog that has been used to jumping up to receive attention, this command may take many months of consistent and positive reinforcement before your dog will become reliable.

Stay: This can be incorporated with the sit, down and a combination with the off command until you release your dog. Remember to start slowly and work up to longer times and further distances and distractions.

Place your dog in the sit or down position. Say your dog's name and "stay" while you place your open palm in front of his nose. Initially stay close to your dog so you can encourage him to remain sitting or lying down. Release your dog after a very short period of time. Very gradually increase the distance and time.

Come: This command is probably the most important one your dog will ever learn. In case of danger, you should be able to rely on your dog coming when called. Begin indoors with no distractions. Have your treat ready. Call your dog's name. When he looks at you, lure your dog towards you by backing away from your dog in an animated manner. When he reaches you, lure him into a sit, touch his collar, and give him the treat and lots of praise. Slowly build up distance and distractions by moving to a safe outdoor place.