An obedient dog takes time, work, & patience.
So lets get started on our own Lassie
SIT
Sit is a basic command that I really haven’t seen anyone have any real trouble with. Sitting is something that dogs do on their own frequently making it the easiest command to teach. Simply hold one hand on dogs chest and push firmly on their rear end saying sit until they sit down. Do this frequently whenever spending time with puppy. They will pick this up quite easily and will be sitting on command fairly quickly.
STAY
With a leash attatched to the dog put one hand against the dogs chest holding the dog in place and pull on the leash with a slow firm pressure while saying stay. Then move on to doing it without holding the dogs chest. The dog will naturally resist the slow pulling of the leash learning the stay command naturally. After doing this several times a day for 3 to 4 days try telling the dog to sit then stay and walk around him while holding the leash. If he moves say NO and then move dog back to where he was sitting and repeat STAY firmlyand reapeat the process until you are able to walk around the dog 2w times without him moving. DO not stop this exercise until the dog is successful at staying for the 2 trips around him then praise him pat him and go do something fun. Always end a training session on a good positive note. When the dog is successful at completing a command you need to make a decision on whether to stop there or keep going. If you choose to keep going be prepared to do it several times again until dog is successful again. I feel it is very important to stop at a time when the dog is successful and everyone feels good and positive. I do this with all training.
DOWN
To teach down I use a technique that was taught to me by a professional trainer in Belgrade Maine named John Palange. Hold the leash in right hand step on leash with right foot pulling leash snug. Now step on leash with left foot as close to the dogs collar as you can and push down saying down at the same time. Push all the way down until you are standing on the leash. Keep saying down firmly. Stay this way until dog lays down and does not struggle. Then praise dog and let him get up. Repeat this until dog lays down as soon as you start pushing with left foot. At this point start saying down after stepping with right foot but before any pressure with right foot. If dog doesn’t lay down say NO and then use left foot saying down again. You will be surprised how soon the dog will pick this command up using this method. I have never had a dog not get this command quickly using this method. After dog is doing the down command faithfully with no correction move on to down, stay. Do this the same way we did sit, stay. Say down then stay and walk around dog twice. If dog moves say NO and place dog back where they were and try again. Remember to end session on a good successful try.
Thank you for visiting my site on dog training and basic dog obedience. Check back soon there is lots more to come