Training Tips

Owning a dog is a big responsibility.  A well trained dog is less likely to develop unwanted behaviour patterns, as dogs tend to establish bad habits when they are bored. The fault lays with the owner not the dog.  A well-trained dog will reward you with its love and companionship in return for your efforts and attention.

Your dog should be taught a few basic commands. Making the training enjoyable will see greater results.

Please check with you local vet or obedience club for training organisations.

The following is a guide only, for more training activities consult a training organisation or publications on training from you local library or bookstore.

Sit

Place your dog on the lead and stand them on your left hand side.  Hang onto the lead with your right hand. With you left hand push down gently on the hindquarters of your dog saying sit at the same time.  When you dog sits praise them, and repeat.

If your dog responds to food, it is a good tool for training.

Sit your dog down on the left again and show him a piece of food in front of his nose.  As he recognises the food move it up over the top of his head saying “sit”.  To see the food he must sit down, once he has sat down give him the food and praise him Good Boy or Girl.  Repeat

Drop

Once your dog has mastered the sit it is time to move on to the drop.  With your dog in the sitting position on the left, squat down pulling slightly on the lead (towards the ground) saying, Drop.  If your dog is reluctant pull gently on the lead and repeat, Drop. Praise your dog when he has dropped.

With food rewards complete the same process but instead of pulling on the lead hold some food in front of the dogs nose, once he has recognised it move the food closer to the ground.  As the dog lowers its head move his front legs forward so that it is comfortable to lie down.  Once in the Drop position, reward your dog.