|
Training Sessions
Have several short training sessions during the
day rather than just one long one - this is
particularly important for puppies, which get
bored easily. Begin and end the sessions on a
positive note. When your pet is learning a new
command, train her indoors where there are few
distractions - when she knows the basics, you can
take her outside and add a few more distractions.
Obedience Classes
Even if you have been successful training your
dog at home, it's an excellent idea to enroll him
in an obedience class. You'll meet new people
through these classes, which are usually run by a
professional dog trainer, and your dog will learn
how to behave nicely with both people and other
dogs. It's a good idea to visit the trainer and
watch a session before signing up - make sure you
approve of the techniques the trainer employs. If
you don't feel comfortable with the trainer, or if
he/she encourages punishment or old-fashioned
methods that don't work, look elsewhere for a
better trainer.
Come
Come is one of the most important commands to
teach. Encourage your dog to come towards you with
a toy, a treat or just your voice and body
language. Say, 'Kelly, come,' as your dog comes
towards you, and praise her as soon as she
arrives. Hold for collar for thirty seconds, and
then let her go. When your dog is deaf to your
calls, you lean over, slap your thighs and yell
'Come!' However, this technique doesn't work.
Patricia B. McConnel, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist
and author of 'The Other End of the Leash', says
it's a better idea to walk away from the dog,
clapping your hands and using your voice to entice
your dog to follow.
Sit
There are several ways to train a dog to sit,
and these are the two most popular methods. Put
your hand of your dog's rump, press down gently,
and say 'Sit'. Whilst this is often successful,
you might want to try the second technique, as
some dogs won't sit unless they feel your hand.
This requires you to hold a treat above the dog's
head so that he needs to crane his neck to see it.
It relies on a theory that dogs sit down whenever
they want to look upwards. Say 'Sam, sit,' just as
your dog is bending his legs.
|
