Basic Obedience Commands - Part 2

Serious training should start when a dog is about 8 months old. Puppies younger than that have a very short attention span. So, serious training is really useless. Getting your puppy used to a flat collar (a collar with a buckle) and being on a leash is the first order of business. Then, when the puppy is of the correct training age, you can switch to a training collar. I believe in using treats or bait, as it is called to train. I know some don't agree with that, but I have had super success using it. Your training sessions should only be 15 min. at a time.


Heel: Starting with your dog on your left side and your lead in your right hand, step forward and give the command "heel." I use my dog's name and then follow with "heel." If your dog gets ahead of you, pop the lead lightly and say, "no, heel." (you want your dog even with your left heel) Repeat this until your dog is doing it correctly. (in the obedience ring, you start out leading on the left foot)


Sit: With your dog standing on your left, take your left hand, lightly push down on your dog's rump, while lifting up on the lead in your right hand and giving the command "sit." Remember, praise, praise, praise!! I usually do this command when I am walking my dog or I want to give a treat. When I stop, I want my dog to sit at my heel. (This is great for walks and you meet someone and want to talk. Your dog is being mannered and polite by sitting quietly while you visit)


Stay: From the sit position, step in front of your dog, facing them, give the command "stay!" and start to walk backwards. If your dog starts to move, step forward, putting your hand under their chin, and lightly push backwards, while saying the command " no, stay." This command is started when your dog has the sit command down pat. Repeat until you are satisfied with the results.


I am going to go to the come command, as the down command is often difficult, because it is a submissive posture for a dog.


Come: This is the most important of all the commands. If your dog knows this command, it can save his/her life. Put your dog in a sit/stay position. Step in front of your dog, (like you did when teaching the stay command), and walk backwards until you reach the end of your lead, still facing your dog. Wait a few seconds and using your dog's name, followed by the command "come!", at the same time, reel the lead in toward you, pulling your dog gently toward you. When your dog gets to you, use the sit command. Remember, praise, praise, praise!!! This can be taught, really at anytime. Say you are just walking around the yard (if you don't have a fenced in yard, make sure your dog is on the leash. Not only for their safety, but because of the leash law.) Have some treats in your pocket. Tell your dog to "come!", use your dog's name and then the command "come." When they come to you, give the treat and praise, praise, praise! Never, never, never, reprimand your dog when they come to you. This will make them afraid to come to you.


The down command is the most difficult for a dog. When a dog is laying down, they feel vulnerable. Start with your dog, on your left, in the "sit" position. With the leash in your right hand, slide your hand down the lead to where the leash meets the snap. Push the leash down toward the ground and at the same time, push gently against your dog's shoulder with your left hand, while giving the command "down." This will put your dog off balance and make it easier for them to go to the down position. Remember, dog's feel vulnerable when laying down, so praise, praise, praise when they get to a down position. Keep your hand in the same position on the leash, holding them down, gently, for 5 to 10 seconds and then let them up.


Repeat this several times and then stop and praise.