Basic dog training tips…?

8 Comments

1. GiddeeYup says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   1. Be patient and never ever hit a dog.
   2. Keep it simple! Dogs see things in black and white (for every action, there is either a consequence or praise).
   3. Keep vocal commands/corrections to a minimum of words (ex.: a simple stern NO, or GOOD SIT/DOWN/STAY/HEEL, etc.)
   4. Keep praise & corrections balanced (don’t overpraise or overcorrect).
   5. ALWAYS start training with a leash and collar. That will be your foundation for eventual off-leash).
   6. Don’t put your dog in a situation where you’re not in a position to correct for a bad behavior within 3 seconds.
   7. Always end on a positive note.
2. Strawberrylvr says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   If you are potty training, teach your dog to go to one place if it has to go to the bathroom. Once you get that, give the dog a precise area to go to the bathroom. Good luck.
3. abby_k9 says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   Find a trainer to work with.

   There really isn’t a good substitute for obedience classes. With a trainer on hand, they can show you how to break down a task to teach your dog, how to go step by step, and correct you if you do something wrong. That makes training and getting set up for success a lot easier and you and your dog won’t end up frustrated and miserable. Group classes are also great for teaching your dog to focus on you and get used to work around other dogs without being distracted.
4. Blue_Bee says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   ALWAYS reward with a small bite size doggie treat (I kept them with me at all times). Food is a much more effective motivator than a smack on the rear or nose!

   Be consistent. If its "No" once, it must ALWAYS be "No" or don’t be surprised if he/she doesn’t listen.

   A very good method for punishment is the clicker method. Puppies don’t like sharp loud noises and if they’re doing something bad - like chewing for instance - you can either buy a clicker at your local pet store, or a few pennies in a soda can works too. Shake vigorously while saying "NO" in a firm voice. Works great! Good luck!
5. Shepherdgirl says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   The Basics
   SIT, COME, DOWN, STAY, HEEL.

   SIT
   Holding a treat in your left hand just above the pup’s nose, gently rest your right hand on pup’s rump.
   Slowly move the treat in an upward motion while applying gentle pressure to the rump. ( you dont want to push hard because if you do the dog will sit every time someone touches him and this is not good for competitive obedience)
   as soon as pup sits say in a very happy excited tone "GOOD SIT" and give the treat.
   Repeat excersize 7x. then take a play break and move on to something elce.
   very young pups should not train for more than a half hour each day
   every time you put food bowl down or give a treat give the sit command, and wait for the sit. then once pup sits give treat or food down.
   DO NOT move on to something new until pup has the new command down pat.

   COME
   walk away from pup about 10 feet to start. say pup’s name and "COME" in a happy voice. once pup comes praise it lavishly have a bit of a play and give it a treat.
   Gradually increase the distance you walk away. and eventually once pup knows command only treat every 3rd come. tappering off until he comes every time with out treat using only praise.
   this will take a few days to learn if you practice every day.

   DOWN
   Start with pup in sit. move hand with the treat between the pup’s front paws on the ground.
   Say "DOWN" in firm but not loud voice.
   pup might try and get treat without going down, dont let him have it until he downs.
   praise in happy voice "GOOD DOWN"
   repeat 7x

   STAY
   Start pup in down possition. say "STAY" in firm voice. walk to end of leash, backwards. if the pup moves say once only "AP" in a not pleased tone. go back do not say anything. put pup in down again repeat "STAY" walk backwards to end of leash.
   pup does NOT get praise or treat untill he stays for 30 seconds, then a minute, then 5 minutes. move times up each week.
   after he can do a 5 minute down/stay every time. move on to a sit/stay doing exactly what you did for down/stay.
   Once on leash sit and down/stays are reliable for 5 minutes each. drop the leash and walk away from your pup, your back to the pup. about 10 feet away. wait 5 min. recall your dog. with dog sitting in front of you once he reaches you. treat and praise.

   HEEL
   Please do NOT train with a choke collar. i recomend martin gayles.
   with dog on a short leash exactly beside you on your left side say "HEEL" if the dog starts to pull give a correction snap with leash on collar. and recomand "HEEL" the second your dog complies peaise with "GOOD HEEL" in happy voice. and continue to walk , correct, and praise for 30 minutes.

   Always end training sessions on a positive note. Never get angry with your pup for not responding to a command. Praise lavishly every time pup responds to a command.
   NEVER hit your dog. NO reason is an acceptable reason for physicaly abusing your pup.
   Group obedience classes will help with socialization and a good instructor will be able to help with training your dog.

   Here is a link to how to crate/house train your if you care to read it:
   http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipQ7s_iRPflmvufO5t1r9_ty6IX?qid=20070505163414AA0FHSm&show=7#profile-info-lfKyeHuFaa
6. JordTeic says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   My wife likes to train dogs a lot. She always makes sure to put the dog outside when it looks like it’s looking for a place to go. She then praises it with "good dog!" and stuff like that. I always feel stupid doing that, so I haven’t ever tried it. Anyway, after you teach a dog that, teach it a few tricks like how to shake and sit, and while it’s learning that, it will pick up on how to be obedient. From that point on, you just have to make sure it listens when you tell it stuff (like to stop getting on the counter for food, begging, etc). Dogs will test their limits even if they’re trained really well, and they will become bad dogs again if you let them.
7. Robyn M says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   I’m not sure what you call basic training…sit, stay, down? Here’s a link to the best dog trainer out there, who only uses positive reinforcement in his training, Dr. Ian Dunbar. All of his books are helpful, but if you have a puppy, I recommend "After you Get Your Puppy". It’s great. "How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks" is good too.
8. puppy_love says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:09 pm

   Be patient and have lots of food and praise