Posts Tagged ‘Step By Step’
Dog Training: Correct Heel Methods (6)
Now it’s time to find out if your dog has truly learned how to heel and execute an automatic sit after the many sessions of dog training.
Give him the command “Heel” and make any necessary corrections for poor heeling or lack of attentiveness to bring him up to the proper mental level of awareness.
Come to a stop and command “Sit”. Watch your dog do it all by himself. Get down to his level and praise him enthusiastically.
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For the stubborn or uncooperative dog who would rather be helped for the rest of his life, you’ll be surprised to see that he is going to graduate from being spoon-fed whether he wants to or not.
How do you do this?
When you come to a stop and command “Sit”, silently count to three. If your dog is not seated by the time you get to three, place both hands on the leash, making sure that there’s a little slack in it, and jerk straight up!
Your dog will immediately sit if you make the correction strongly enough.
Don’t forget the praise when you’re done.
If he still refuses to sit after the initial correction, consider that correction ineffective.
An ineffective correction is inhumane because it means that you will have to keep doing it. This is unfair to your pet and will only create resistance.
If you simply tighten the collar around his neck by pulling up slowly on the leash, the only thing you can accomplish is constriction of your dog’s breathing, and you have caused your dog’s training collar to turn into a choking chain.
This is your fault, not his, and he is going to wonder why you have suddenly decided to choke him. So, in all fairness to your dog, make a humane correction by an emphatic and upward jerk of the leash using both hands. Make the correction properly the first time, and chances are you will not have to make it again. Remember to follow the correction with loving praise the moment your dog has responded correctly.
The heel and sit combinations should be continued for one week, after which time you will notice that it’s no longer necessary for you to command “Sit” every time you stop. Your dog will realize that this is what is expected when he is out on a walk and you suddenly come to a stop.
At the end of a week, you can begin dropping the command “Sit” since he will be doing it automatically anyway. Be sure, however, that anytime he fails to sit, make the correction immediately, followed by praise.
Congratulations!
Now you have the proper tools to teach your dog to walk beside you and to sit automatically at your side each time you stop.
Why is this crucial?
In addition to getting your dog’s attention, which is necessary in order to take him to more advanced levels of dog training, it will make all the difference in the world when you take him for a walk down a busy street or a crowded place.
Should you stop to talk to someone, your dog is trained to sit at your side patiently, rather than jumping on the person you’re talking to or wrapping the leash around your legs and making a nuisance of himself.?
Always remember, don’t undo the dog training you’ve spent hours on!
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Dog Training: Correct Heel Methods (2)
As you begin your dog training, position your dog at your left side while keeping the leash short. Leave a belly of reserved slack, with your right hand, look at your dog, say his name, then command “Heel”!
Begin walking, starting with your left foot. Walk briskly in a straight line, with confidence in your movement. Your dog will lose confidence in you if you wander aimlessly.
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Remembering his experience on the long-line, your dog may walk alongside you fairly comfortably, but the odds are that since there are now only five to six feet connecting the two of you, he will react in one of the two following ways when dog training:
1. He will either rush forward past you in an attempt to keep a tight strain on that leash, or
2. He will hold back and be hesitant to walk with you at all. After all, this six-foot training leash is new to him.
If your dog is one that takes off like a marathon runner in a race, either surging ahead or out to the side in an attempt to keep the leash tight, simply open your right hand, release the slack you’ve been holding in reserve, and immediately do a right-about turn and walk in the opposite direction.
When your dog is back in the proper heeling position, give him praise and a pat on the head with your free left hand. If you have a small dog, bend over to his level and give him his pat while continuing to walk.
Each time he surges ahead, release the slack as you do and definite right-about turn. Without slowing your pace, pick up some reserve slack and place it once again in your right hand in preparation for his next heedless charge. Your left hand is free to reach down and give him a pat on a head when, and only when, he is in the proper heeling position.
That is, at your left side with his head and neck area about even with your left leg. Each time you place the reserve slack in your right hand, be sure to leave a belly of slack in the leash between you and your dog.
An Alternative Dog Training Method For The Introvert
If your dog has an introvert personality, one that is reluctant to walk with you, you will need a slightly different method. The introvert dog just doesn’t quite understand what’s going on with this new piece of equipment and he’s as reluctant to get involved as a person being taught how to play a new instrument.
This type of dog needs a little encouragement and a show of enthusiasm when dog training on your part, and don’t let anyone tell you any differently.
Use your free left hand to pat your leg as you give your dog a little talk of encouragement. Use short, forward snaps on the leash to help inspire your dog to walk with you. Watch closely as he begins to discard his reluctance, praise him enthusiastically and warmly.
This shows him three things. First, that you are pleased. Second, that everything is alright.
And third, that he has made the right decision. Praise is always an important and effective method of dog training.
Dog Training With A Clicker
Clickers are a fun and fast way to speed up your dog training. Clicker training relies on behavior shaping principles that mark desired behavior.
To begin, get ten treats. Click and treat; before you are finished, your puppy will be happily alert to the sound. Now use the clicker for dog training and to encourage good habits.
1. House-training: When your puppy eliminates in the right area, say “get busy.” Click the instant he finishes; then treat and praise warmly.
2. Jumping: When your puppy jumps, look away, Click, treat, and pet him after all four paws are on the ground.
3. Chewing: Anytime your dog is chewing an appropriate object, click, treat, and praise.
You can iron out everyday frustrations with the clicker. Use it to encourage silence, to train him to ask to be let out, to create a positive association to kids, and more. Also use a clicker to teach basic commands during dog training such as the following:
1. “Sit” command: “Sit,” luring your dog into position with a toy or treat if necessary. Click, reward, and praise.
2. “Down” command: “Down,” luring your dog into position with a toy or treat Click, reward, and praise.
3. “Come” command: Throughout the day, command “Come” when your dog’s near you.
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Dog Training Distraction Tips
A distraction is anything that interferes with your puppy’s focus on you during dog training. She will be easily distracted by noises, other people and items around the house which will take her attention away from you.
Use a motivator to bring her attention back to you.
In puppy class, the main distractions are other puppies and their owners. I always tell owners to bring their puppies’ favorite toys or treats to fight distraction.
Because of the many distractions in a puppy class, it actually makes a great place for dog training. It will help desensitize your puppy to these distractions as well as to new ones in the future.
When there is a distraction, move your pup away from it in the beginning, if possible.
For example, if you are training your pup near your kitchen table and she is distracted by something on the table, then move her further from the table.
Eventually, after countless dog training sessions, you will be able to bring her closer to the distraction and still hold her attention.
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