Training Lessons
Training your dog is hard on both of you. A young dog cant take more
than 10 minutes of training
at a stretch. It is wise to limit the time during your first lessons.
You can gradually increase the
time to about 30 minutes but take it slow. Before and after each lesson
have a play period. It
reduces the strain on both of you. If you find that you are losing
your temper with your dog stop
and take a break. Soon your dog will learn that your training lessons
are serious and that they will
get playtime afterwards. If you spend to much time on one phase of
training your dog will become
bored. Always try to end a training lesson pleasently. 9 times out
of 10 if your dog isnt doing what
you want its's usually because your not getting the idea over to him
properly.
Training to sit
Training to sit is usually the easiest. Stand him on your left side. Hold
the lead firmly, as you give
the sit command, pull up slightly on the lead and push his hindquarters
down with your hand.
Dont let him lie down or stand up. Keep him sitting for a moment, then
release the pressure on the
lead and praise him. Constantly repeat the command as you hold him
in the sitting position. This
will let him know that the word goes with the action. When he reaches
the stage where he will sit
without you having to push his hind quaters down insist that he sit
on command. If he is slow to
sit gently tap his hind quarters with your hand to get him down faster.
Teach him to sit facing you
as well as at your side. When he begins to sit on command try it without
the lead.
Training to Lie Down
This is one of the most important parts of training. A well trained
dog will drop on command and
resist temptation. You must be perfect in the sit command to get him
to this part of training. Well,
it is best that he is close to perfect on sit. Place the dog ina sit,
and kneel down before him. WIth
both hands reach forward to his legs and take one front leg in each
hand, thumbs up, just below
the elbow. Lift his legs slightly off the ground and pull them somewhat
out in front of him. Give
the command "down" and lower his legs to the ground. Hold the dog down
and stroke him. Let
him know that staying down is what you want him to do. After he begins
to get the idea of what
you are doing slide the lead under your left foot and give the command
down. At the same time
pull the lead gently. This will help get the dog down. While doing
this raise your hand in the down
signal. Take this in several differant sessions. If you do he will
coorerate better.
Training to Stay
The next step is to train your dog to stay either in a sit or down position.
Sit him at your side. Give
the command stay but dont use his name. If he begins to move repeat
stay and hold him in that
position. Continuly repeat the command stay to fix it in his mind.
After he begins to stay for a
little while gradually increase the time of his stay. While he is staying
walk around him, and stand
in front of him. Hold the lead at first later drop the lead on the
ground in front of him to keep him
in the stay position. If he bolts, scold him and place him back in
the same position and repeat all
the excercise. Use words like "Okay" or "up" to let him know that he
can get up and always praise
him for a job well done. Later on after he has got the hold of what
he is supposed to be doing you
can try walking out of sight.
Traing to heal
Using the command heal and heal start forward on your left foot, giving
a tug on the lead to get
the dog started. Shorten your lead for this lesson. Always say your
dogs name first followed by the
command on this lesson. Such as "Buddy, Heel" Saying his name will
help get his attention. Walk
briskly, with even steps, going around in circles, squares or a straight
line. While walking make
sure that your dog stays on your left side and close to your leg. If
he lags behind, give him a tug on
the lead to get him up to you, then praise him for doing a good job.
He if tries to go ahead of you
or swings wide, Stop and jerk the lead sharply and bring him back to
the proper position.
Remember to repeat the command when correcting. Remember to praise
him when he does a
good job. It is best to do this excersise for only five minutes or
so at first. To keep your dogs
attention talk to him as he walks in place.
Stop Your Dog From Chewing
1. When you are busy and cant watch him, put him in his crate until
you finish what you are doing. Please dont leave him in there all the time
though.
2. Get your puppy his own chew toys. When you catch him chewing on
something that he shouldnt be chewing on sternly tell him "no" and give
him one of his chew toys. If you keep this up then he will eventually catch
on. Consistancy is the key.
3. Most of the time puppies chew when they are bored. Make sure that
he gets plenty of excersice and attention.
4. Puppies like to chew on your shoes and socks because the smell in
them reminds him of you. Keep your shoes and socks out of reach of your
puppies.
5. You can buy commercial sprays that are very unattractive to your
puppy to keep him from chewing.
6. Your puppy may suffer from teething pains. Check with your vet if
you see signs like pawing at his mouth, rubbing his jaw and mouth on the
floor or trouble eating. He may need his baby teeth pulled.
7. Let him chew on some ice cubes or a cold damp cloth. These will
help save some of your possesions and may save him from eating something
that could endanger him.