Training

Dog training is complteley unnatural to your dog. He doesn't preform tasks or follow commands in the wild. However in this day in age, it has become essential to have a well trained obedient dog - your dog must have at least a basic level of obedience. Although none of my dogs have attended training classes, I recommend them, as they are a great way for dog owners to learn how to train their dogs.

The main four command your dog must master are:

• Sit
• Stay
• Down
• Recall

These commands ensure your dog is safe when out and about. It doesn't however make him socially acceptable, as even the most obedient dog can have behavioural problems.

It is easy to teach your dog obedience, once you have shown him you are the Pack leader becuase he will already respect you.

Sit

1. Have you dog infront of you and some treats in your hand.
2. Hold a treat in your hand and move it from the dog's nose up his snout and over his head. He will lift his head to look at the treat and therefore lower his rear end.
3. As soon as his bum touches the floor, give him the treat and say 'SIT'
4. Repeat as many times as nessacarry for your dog to understand what is being asked of him. 

Stay

1. Put your dog in a sit. Have some treats in your hand.
2. Hold your palm up facing the dog and say 'STAY'. Then take 2 steps back.
3. If your dog stays walk back and give him the treat. If he doesn't, put him back in a sit and do it again.
4. Build up the amount of steps you walk away from your dog.

Down

1. Put your dog in a sit. Have some treats in your hand.
2. Put a treat in your fist and lower it to the ground, sliding it slightly away from the dog.
3. When he slides down to get the treat, as soon as he front legs hit the floor, say 'DOWN' and let him have the treat.
4. Reapeat as necessary.

 

Recall

1. Choose a command for the recall such a 'COME' 'HERE' or something else.
2. Put your dog in a sit. Say the command and give your dog a treat. Do that at least 5 times.
3. Try it from a distance. When your dog comes to you praise lavishly.
4. Do this in all different rooms in the house and the garden.
5. When your dog is responding instantly, put him on a longline and go to a quiet outdoor space. Go back to step one - the outside world is full of distractions!
6. Build up the distractions to eventually letting your dog of the lead without worrying!

Tilly demonstrating the sit and recall from a distance: