Dog Training Tips Often Overlooked
Look for Golden Opportunities to Teach Your Dog. When your dog makes a mistake correct him. For example, if you open the front door and your dog streaks out - make use of that golden opportunity to teach your dog not to go until you issue the command. On-the-spot lessons like this can last a lifetime.
Two common problem when teaching the sit command are giving the command several times before the dog actually sits and then allowing the dog to move once he is seated. Your dog needs to sit promptly the exact moment you give the command and stay in that spot until he is given a release signal. Paying attention to these kinds of details will help develop a dog who will listen.
It is a good idea to teach the stay command soon after the dog learns to sit. Your dog needs to learn to stay as you walk around him and even go out of sight.
Inside the house, play a game of sit or down and stay. Go to another room and wait ten seconds. Then call him to you. Build up to 2 or 3 minutes or more.
Here are some tips for the come command which is often referred to as the recall. After your dog thoroughly understands the sit and stay commands you can introduce the recall. Work him at a distance and keep control by attaching a long line to his collar. It is important that the dog learns to return directly to you.
Sometimes handlers make the mistake of assuming too much too soon and remove the leash from the dog, expecting him to behave off-leash as well as he did on-leash. They lose control of the dog and become discouraged. Be sure to keep your dog on the leash while he is learning.
Jean Smith's Retriever Training Course
Teach Me Please Dog Series Inc.
P.O. BOX 1515
St. Helens, Or. 97051
