Remember: Train only when you’re in a good mood and can be patient, train with your dog on your left, reward with verbal praise, touch your dog only with your fingertips, get your hands off your dog as soon as you can, enjoy training and PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE!!!!! Do sequence 1 exercise for one full week training at least 5-10 minutes a day.
SIT: Place your dog on your left side and kneel on your leash. Put your right hand on the dog’s chest, palm flat (two fingers in the collar if you need more control), left hand on the dog’s withers, stroke down the back under rump with left hand, as you say SIT! Tuck with your left hand and push with your right. PRAISE! Repeat with stand 10 times.
STAND: With two fingers of your right hand in the dog’s collar, palm facing downward, pull your dog forward keeping the dog’s head level, as you say STAND!, stop the dog’s forward motion by placing your left hand, palm facing the dog’s front, in front of the dog’s kneecaps. PRAISE! Repeat with sit 10 times.
DOWN: With the dog in a sit, reach your left arm over your dog’s withers. With open hands place your left hand behind your dog’s left leg, right hand behind the right leg, lift the dog as if begging and fold your dog into the down position as you say DOWN! Put your forearm across the withers gradually moving to having only your index finger between the shoulder blades. PRAISE! Repeat 10 times.
LONG DOWN: And a quiet place in your house, make sure your dog has voided, is not hungry or thirsty, place your dog into a down and watch. If your dog starts to get up push down on withers, if the dog gets up place back down, say NOTHING. You are to sit in the floor next to the dog and together you’ll stay for one half hour. In front of the TV is a good spot, or with a magazine, but remember that you must keep an eye on your dog. This exercise establishes dominance over your dog, so if you’re having a hard time do it more! 3 times a week, unless you’re having trouble, then do it everyday.
STAY: Gather your leash up into your left hand so that you have about 1 foot remaining. Apply pressure to the leash straight up, with right hand give the dog the stay hand signal and step toe-to-toe in front of your dog. Keep the pressure on the leash straight up. Count to ten and pivot back to heel position, release the pressure and PRAISE! If the dog should break the stay, place the dog back into a sit without saying anything. Stay is an exercise in memory. Work up to a 1-minute stay.
COME: With the dog 180 degrees ahead of you, call your dog with “NAME, COME!”. If the dog turns and comes, PRAISE! If the dog does nothing, reel it in PRAISING. You may reward with food and do reward with petting for this exercise.
The above commands give you the skills to SHOW your dog what you want it to do. They are the beginning of the dog learning your language. You may have to use these preliminary steps throughout your training with your dog. Remember to be patient and to praise profusely.
Basic Obedience
Sequence Two
To do these next steps your dog should be able to be motivated with a food treat. It your dog is not motivated by food then you need to cut your dog’s food intake by half until your dog is motivated. Penning or crating the dog for two or more hours before you attempt to train is also recommended. A hungry, bored dog is much easier to train.
DOWN: With the dog sitting on your left and food in your right hand, place your left index finger between the withers. Show the dog the food RIGHT UNDER IT’S NOSE but do not let the dog have it. Move the food down between the dog’s front legs, close to the dog’s chest as you gently push down with your left finger. As you do this say DOWN! and move the food outward just a little and then give the dog the treat. The dog’s nose should stay with the food. Watch out tar moving the food too fast or too far forward. When the dog is down-PRAISE! Repeat with the next sequence of sit 10 times.
SIT: With the dog down by your left side and two fingers of your left hand in the collar between the ears, show the dog the food right in front of it’s nose. Move the food upward making the dog lift it’s head skyward to get the food. Give the treat when the dog is sitting. You may have to help the dog into a sit by pulling up on the collar. Do this only if you have to. PRAISE! Repeat with down 10 times.
STAND: Repeat sequence 1 keeping your dog on you left. When your dog is steady, move your left hand away from its knees. Keep your right fingers in the collar, palm facing down. Watch your dog’s feet. If they start to move pull forward slightly with your right hand and stop in the knees with your left. Be very patient with this exercise, it can be very difficult for some dogs. PRAISE LIKE CRAZY! Keep your dog in stand for 2 minutes 5 times a week.
STAY: Gather up your leash so that you have only an arm’s length left (about 3 feet). Turn your collar so that where the leash attaches to the collar is under the dog’s chin. Give your dog the STAY command and step in front of the dog 3 feet away. Put your left hand on your stomach, right arm by your side. Watch your dog. If the dog looks like it’s thinking about moving, step up to the dog, put your right hand under the leash at the collar and push upward, forcing the dog back into a sit, then step back lithe dog gets completely out of position, reposition, from in front of the dog-right hand on chest, left hand tucks and say NOTHING. Remember stay is an exercise in memory. Always step back. If your dog continually breaks the sit, then you’ll need to back up to sequence one for a few more days. Work up to the dog staying 2 minutes 5 times a week.
HEEL: Gather up your leash in your left hand and plant it on your left thigh. Show your dog food with your right hand, but don’t let the dog have the food. Command “Name, HEEL” and step off with your left leg. Praise continuously. Take ten paces and release.
AUTOMATIC SIT: While heeling, stop with your left foot slightly ahead of your right, bend your knees and sit your dog with right hand on chest, left hand tucking.
TURNS
LONG DOWN: If you have mastered sequence 1 three times in one week, move up to sitting in a chair, the dog on a down by, but not touching, your feet. Remember the dog is not to be chewing or playing during the long down. If the dog goes to sleep be sure to wake it up after the 30 minutes are over. If you have to interrupt the session remember how much time is left and finish when you have the chance. Repeat 3-5 times a week.
COME: By now your dog may be keen to you reeling it in. Get a long line (15-40 feet) and let the dog go away from you. When the dog is distracted and you are the last thing on it’s mind, call out NAME, COME. If the dog turns at all PRAISE and reel it in if you need to. If the dog continues to be distracted (most will) put both hands on the line and making sure that the line is first slack (very important), pull as hard as you can. The dog may bounce!! You will bend down and praise like mad, actually you should make a fool of yourself here. Give hugs and food when the dog gets to you and try again, if the dog will leave your side (most won’t if you do it right). If your dog is very bad about not coming when called be sure to leave a leash or long line on all the time or until you see the light bulb come on and stay on!
Basic Dog Obedience
Sequence Three
Train in 3 different location free from distractions.
DOWN: Kneel in front of the dog, 2 fingers of your left hand in the collar under the dogs chin. With the right hand show and move the food just like you did in sequence 2 as you command DOWN! You will apply pressure to the dog’s collar - back and down - even if the dog is willingly going down as you move the food. Praise. Repeat 5 times with the next sequence of sit.
SIT: Still kneeling in front, slip your left fingers (still in the collar) to between the dog’s ears. Show the dog the food, command SIT, pull up, give food, praise. The trick is to pull up even if you dog is already going up. Repeat 5 times.
STAND: Stand your dog, keeping your right hand in the collar. When you’re ready stand up, remain in heel position. Watch your dog and reinforce if it moves. Praise. Work up to a 3-minute stand-stay.
SIT STAY and TEST: Sit dog. Put collar on dead ring. Put leash under dog’s chin. Leave dog with STAY! and go 3 feet in front. Keep your leash in your left hand at your waist. Apply pressure until dog resists. Be prepared to reinforce with right hand under the leash. Release pressure, repeat 3 times for 5 to 10 seconds each. From in front of your dog increase sit-stay to 3 minutes.
RETURN: With the dog on a sit-stay return around your dog to the right so that you make a full circle. Have your right hand ready at the withers should the dog try to stand up. Move quickly back to heel position. Praise. Repeat 3 times.
SIT FOR EXAMINATION: Leave dog on a sit-stay. Have a friend or relative go over your dog while you are 3 feet in front. Be sure to reinforce when your dog looks like it’s thinking about moving.
HEEL: Practice performing 20 paces with an about turn to
the right. TURNS
AUTOMATIC SIT: While heeling, stop with your left leg ahead of your right, put your right hand on the snap of the leash and pull straight up as you command sit and tuck with your left hand.
NAME: With dog on your left side call out your dog’s name. If you get your dog’s attention release with OK! and run forward praising. If your dog ignores you “POP” the leash to the right until you get the dog’s attention, then release. Repeat 5 times.
COME: Let your dog get distracted and directly in front of you. When the dog is not looking at you, command “Name, COME!”. If the dog starts to come, bend down, praise. If the dog does not come, pop the leash hard and then bend down and praise. Repeat only once more.
LONG DOWN: If you’ve mastered last week’s sequence you can move up to sitting in a chair across the room from your dog on the down. Be sure to keep an eye on the dog.
LONG SIT: 10 minute long sit with you sitting in a chair.
Basic Dog Obedience
Sequence Four
Train in 3 new places with distractions this week. Your dog is really trained when it will do as you say anywhere, any time.
SIT and DOWN: From the side perform the same compulsion sequences as sequence 3 but do not use the food. Your dog should be responding to the commands now. Be sure to praise enthusiastically when you notice your dog is starting to catch on.
STAND: Stand your dog, stand up, give your dog the stay command and step toe-to-toe in front. It your dog thinks about moving, from in front of your dog, put your right hand in the collar, pull forward, left hand stops the knees. Count to ten, pivot back to heel position.
H EEL: Practice in the new locations. Make sure you have your dog’s attention and do not settle for anything but a perfect performance. Try to achieve 20 paces, about turn, 20 paces, about turn.
TURNS
NAME: With your dog in heel position, call out your dog’s name. If your dog looks at you count to 3 then release. If you dog does not look, POP the leash and then release. If you haven’t been successful, you haven’t been getting through to the dog and you’ll need to POP a little harder or think about different equipment.
SIT STAY: With the collar on the dead ring and the leash under the dog’s chin, give the stay command and go three feet in front of your dog. Keep your gathered leash in your left hand at your waist, your right arm by your side, ready to reinforce. Put pressure on the leash, count to ten then release the leash pressure. Repeat 3 times. Return around your dog, put the leash back on live ring, keep it under the chin, repeat the stay command and go three feet in front. Keep your eyes on your dog and reinforce WHEN YOUR DOG IS THINKING ABOUT MOVING. Return around your dog after 3 minutes.
AUTOMATIC SIT: Same sequence as last week, this week command SIT! only every other time. Make sure your dog is sitting straight. If not, take a step forward and place the dog into a straight sit.
DOWN HAND SIGNAL: Kneel in front of the dog, leash folded in your left hand, 2 fingers of your left hand in the collar. Give hand signal and command Down! as you push back and down. Praise, repeat 4 times.
SIT HAND SIGNAL: Stand in front of the dog, leash in left hand on right hip. Slap the leash with your right hand toward the dog as you give the signal and command Sit! Praise. Repeat 4 times with the down hand signal.
DOWN STAY: From 3 feet in front, work up to 2 minutes.
COME: Leave dog, pause for count of 5, open hands, smiling, and call dog. When the dog arrives praise and pet for a full minute.
LONG SIT AND DOWN: This week move around the room during the 10-minute sit-stay and the 30-minute down-stay. Do each 3 times on alternate days. Do not go out of sight.
Basic Dog Obedience
Week Five
Be sure to train in numerous places with lots of good distractions!!!
STAND: Stand your dog, leave and go 3 feet in front, count to ten, return. Examine your dog from head to toe, look at the teeth, under the tail, lift each paw, but reinforce the stand if your dog should move. Leave the dog again, 3 feet count to ten, return, release.
TURNS
NAME: Dog in heel position, call out name, if dog looks count to 5. If dog looks away POP leash and release immediately. If the dog continues to look for the 5 seconds release and praise! Repeat 5 times.
SIT STAY: Perform the sit stay test (dead ring, leash under chin) 3 times, count to 10 with each episode of collar pressure. Return around the dog and put back on the live ring. Leave the dog and go 6 feet away keeping your eyes on the dog constantly. Reinforce with the right hand under the leash if necessary. Work up to 3 minutes.
HEEL: Practice with changes of pace, slow and fast and about turn. Keep your dog’s heel in position, praising continually, try to keep your dog’s eyes on you too.
HEEL HAND SIGNAL: With your left palm over the dog’s head, sweep your hand forward, toward the dog’s nose, as you say HEEL! Keep your leash in your right hand planted on your left thigh. Repeat 5 times.
DOWN HAND SIGNAL: kneel 3 feet from dog, 2 fingers of your left hand in the collar. Give signal and command DOWN! as you push back and down. Praise. Repeat 5 times with the sit hand signal.
SIT HAND SIGNAL: Stand 3 feet from the dog, leash in left hand on your right hip. Slap the leash with your right hand as you command and give the signal. Praise. Repeat 5 times.
COME HAND SIGNAL: With the leash in your left hand and your arm by your side, bring your right hand out and then into your chest as you command COME! If your dog does not come, pull with the leash. Practice 5 times with WAIT! (Open fingered Stay command).
AUTOMATIC SIT: With your leash completely gathered into your left hand and held over the dogs shoulder region, command heel and step off. To halt, stop with your left leg slightly ahead of your right, pull up on the leash as you command SIT! If the dog doesn’t sit straight, back up to right hand on the snap of the leash and make the dog sit straight. Next time pull up a little harder. Repeat 5 times.
DOWN STAY: From 6 feet in front, work up to 4 minutes.
COME: Leave dog, pause for count of 5, open hands, smiling, and call dog. When the dog arrives, tuck into sit, you stand up, leash back on, then PRAISE!
LONG SIT AND DOWN: Move around the room as your dog does the 10-minute sit and the 30-minute down. You may leave the room for a short period. Be sure to replace the dog if it moves.
Basic Dog Obedience
Week Six
Your dog should be starting to understand your commands. Be sure to take your dog to lots of different places and train with lots of distractions.
STAND: Stand your dog and go 6 feet in front. Have a family member, or friend touch the top of your dog’s head, withers and rump. If the dog should move, reinforce from the front. SAY NOTHING. If you continue to have problems, use the stand-stay review sequence.
TURNS
SIT STAY: Perform the sit stay test 3 times, gradually increasing the pressure on the collar each time. Return around the dog, put the collar back on the live ring, leave and stand 6 feet in front for 3 minutes. Return, drop the leash, leave, go 6 feet in front for 10 seconds. Return, release.
HEEL: Practice with the heel hand signal, working up to 3-4 minutes of heeling. You will position your dog into a sit with both hands. Work on changes of pace and about turn.
DOWN HAND SIGNAL: Stand 6 feet from your dog. Give the signal and command DOWN, reinforce by stepping up to the dog, left hand in collar, back and down. Repeat 3 times
SIT HAND SIGNAL: Stand 6 feet from the dog, leash in your left hand on your right hip. Command and signal, reinforce by stepping up to the dog, if necessary. Repeat 3 times.
COME HAND SIGNAL: With your leash in your left hand, tell the dog to WAIT! and go to the end of the leash and face the dog. Signal and command COME! reinforce, if necessary. Repeat 5 times.
AUTOMATIC SIT: Practice last week’s sequence, but do not command SIT unless you need to remind the dog. Repeat 10 times.
DOWN STAY: From 6 feet in front for 3 minutes, return, drop the leash and leave for 10 seconds. Return, release.
COME: Leave dog, pause, call dog from standing up, bending down as the dog approaches. Tuck into sit, praise. Repeat 5 times.
REMEMBER: Back up when ever you need to, be patient and enjoy yourself. HAVE FUN!!
Each day practice the previous day’s procedures, In order, one time. Then practice the new procedure five times. If you encounter any difficulty on any day, do not proceed to the next day’s exercise until you have successfully accomplished what you are working on. Remove the leash before beginning this exercise.
Praise with your voice, keep your hands off your dog as much as possible. Keep your dog in a Stand as you praise and put the leash back on. Release with much enthusiasm.
DAY 1: Stand your dog. Remain at his ride. Keep him standing perfectly still for 2 minutes, pause, praise, and release.
DAY 2: Review Day 1, then stand your dog, command “Stay,” pivot In front, count to ten and pivot back, pause, praise, release.
DAY 3: Review Days 1 & 2, then stand you dog, command “Stay,” pivot in front, count to 20, pivot back to your dog, pause, praise, and release.
DAY 4: Review Days 1, 2, & 3, then stand your dog, command “Stay,” go 3 feet In front of your dog, turn and face him. Count to 30, and then step back to his side, pause, praise, and release.
DAY 5: Review previous days, then stand your dog and command “Stay.” Go 6 feet in front of your dog, turn and lace him. Count to 30, and return around behind your dog, pause, praise, and release.
DAY 6: Review previous days, then stand your dog and command “Stay.” Go 6 feet In front of your dog and face him. Count to 60 and return around to heel position, pause, praise, and release.