Introduction to Training

When training, you must always remember that each dog has his own level of understanding. All dogs will try to please their masters if the master is kind, but they may not understand you for an amount of time, or they may understand you right away. Never yell at, kick, hit, or any other way abuse your dog, no matter what they've done; instead, if they refuse to do what you've asked them and already know how to do it, grab them at the back of the neck, in the middle, and dig your fingers, not your fingernails, into the dog's neck. This stimulates a bite; dogs then understand that you are saying, "I'm boss, so get this done, or else." If your dog refuses to respond, you could use a choker chain. If you jerk on this to tighten the chain, it will get your dog's attention, and they may obey. Or you can flick them hard on the lip, a soft place. One way or the other, be sure to make your dog do what you've asked until they do it properly, or they will build up a resistance to you. And when you are training, always praise a futile attempt to do the trick. I like to praise on levels. If the dog does the trick absolutely right, praise them as much as you can, give them a treat. If they don't do it very well, and they are just learning, praise them some, give them a treat. The dog will soon realize that if they do the trick well, their master is happy, and if they do not do the trick well, they still get praised, but they can feel the unhappiness. This is how I do it, and this is how I suggest you do it.

Potty Training

This can be simple or hard; the best way to do it is to take the pup out immediately after they have eaten. When they use the bathroom, praise them with all you've got. Soon they'll get the hang of it.
If you see a dog using the bathroom in the house, say "no, bad boy/girl!" then take them outdoors, even if they have finished. Soon the dog will get the hang of it. If they continue, you have a problem. One way to stop them is to blow air into their face by way of a toy or other object. It must be a fast, cold wind. No dog likes this, and they will quickly stop. If dogs refuse to use the bathroom while outside, leave them outside until they do. You should have no more trouble after doing this. If you do, mail to: horsesandfriends@windstream.net

Teaching Sit

Sit is a simple trick; either you can play with the dog, and when they sit down on their own, say "Good sit!" and praise them as much as possible, or you can put a treat above their head so they are forced to sit down. Immediately reward with the treat and plenty of praise. Give the command while you are holding the treat above their head. You may have to repeat this procedure many times before you can simply say "sit" without a treat, and without put your hands above their head. You should also make a signal for sit, because dogs cannot really understand human words; they recognize syllables, signs, or the way your mouth moves. With a signal, they will always know what you mean.

Teaching Stay

In order to teach stay, you must be able to hold the dog's full attention. Ask them to sit, then, looking directly at their eyes, say "stay" and hold out your hand in a 'stop' gesture. Bend down if need be so that you can be almost directly eye-level with the dog. Back up a few steps, then allow the puppy to come, and reward with a treat and plenty of praise. If the pup comes to you while you are backing away, say "no" firmly and repeat. Do not train in any longer than 5-minute sessions. For a pup this young, it is hard for them to keep still. Just think of them as a young child. As the child gets older, you will be able to hold his attention longer and longer, but that's another session. As the pup learns stay more and more, you will be able to turn your back and walk away, even around a corner, and come back and your dog will still be there. Just be patient.

Teaching Come

Come is simple; you must simply tell your dog "stay," then say "come" and offer a treat. Slapping your leg is another good way to get the dog to come.

Teaching Lie Down

Lie down can be hard. You can either play with your pup, and when it lies down, reward with a treat and plenty of praise and say, "good lie down;" you can also tell your pup to sit, then hold the treat against the ground about the length of the pup, from base of tail to head; then say "lie down" and pat the ground. Most pups will either stand up or lie down to reach the food. If they stand up, say "no" firmly and repeat. If nothing works, you can gently and carefully pick up your pup's forelegs and lay them on the ground, then immediately reward with a treat and praise, all the while saying, "lie down." Be very patient on this one.

Teaching Heel

In order to teach heel, you must first teach your pup to focus only on you. Get it so that your pup will look at your eyes for ten seconds. This can be done by simply saying "look here" or waving a hat or some other thing to attract your pup's attention, then look into their eyes and hold it. Now tell them to look at you, and say "heel" and begin to walk away. Your pup, following your eyes, will walk with you. If all fails, you can also use a treat or toy and hold it just above your pup's reach and tell him to heel. The heel trick may take a while for you pup to catch on to, so be patient, but you will be well rewarded for your work.