Puppy and Dog Basic Beginners Course

About Training:

This obedience training course is a do-it-yourself form of instruction. For this reason it is, also, the least expensive type of training for the dog owner and the dog.

Since this is an internet course and there is no actual class it would be a good idea for you to involve one or more of your friends and meet once a week (for at least 7-8 weeks) to practice what you've learned in a class-like session. Work in a circle (with plenty of room between dogs) and have one person call out the commands (at the end of this course) as an instructor would in a real class. During the week between classes, you will work with your dog at home, teaching and practicing the lessons in the homework part of your course guide.

The methods used in training your dog have been formulated over many years of experience, by many different instructors and are very similar to most other dog training courses. These methods are not harsh, cruel or abusive, nor are they weak and silly. We use common sense dog training methods based on our experience and knowledge of the canine. If you need help in how to deal with your dog in training as per the requirements of your dog's breed, temperament, age, size and personality, be sure to email us for guidance immediately. No trainee will be asked to abuse their dog. On the other hand, we require that you do control your dog, completely, as firmly as its nature demands! That means strong, aggressive, dominant natured dogs will require firm, hard and swift corrections for errors.

Dog training is simple, easy and rewarding and it can, also, be fun! It all depends on your attitude and interest in learning.

The obedience exercises taught in the Puppy/Basic Beginners Dog Training Course are the fundamentals of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Novice Obedience exercises. From these fundamentals comes all other forms of training; hunting, herding, advanced obedience, guards dogs, etc.

You can maximize your training effort in two ways. When you do anything with your dog, such as putting on the collar or letting it outside to potty, and you do it the same way every time the dog will quickly learn to know what you expect and be more compliant. Control exercises are a big help in bonding with your dog and gaining it's respect. (Examples of control exercises are at the end of this course guide.)

Dog obedience training has a very practical side. It is not just for use in class and while teaching/practicing at home! After the dog knows the exercise, adapt it for use in your life at home, in public, visiting friends, trips to the vet, receiving visitors, bathing, etc!

The Obedience Exercises:

All work in this dog training course will be with the dog on leash.

1. Healing and Figure 8 exercise - Teaching the dog to walk beside the handler (you), without lagging or pulling, or sniffing of the ground, floor, shrubs, or walls, etc. Your dog will maintain your pace, whether going slow, running, walking normally, or turning. Your dog will sit when you (the handler) stops walking and remain there. Attentive for the next command.

2. Sit Stay - Your dog will stay sitting in the same spot while you leave it, stand six feet away for one minute, return and release your dog from the stay command.

3. Down Stay - Your dog will lay down on command. It will stay in the down position for three minutes, while you leave the dog, stand six feet away until the time is up, return to your dog and release it from the stay command.

4. Stand Stay - A great practical exercise for visits to the vet, for bathing and grooming! Your dog stands on command. It stays standing, without moving its feet, while you circle the dog or leave the dog and stand six feet away, then return to the heeling position and release the dog from the stay command.

5. Recall and Finish - Your dog sits six feet away from you. When the dog is called, it responds by coming quickly to you (the handler) and sitting in front of you. Upon command to "heel", it goes smartly to your left side to the heel position and sits, attentive to your next command.

Training Method:

We use the demonstration-reward form of dog training. It is the most common form of dog training instruction. It is also a form of dog training that blends with the "natural" dominance order of the canine pack. Some call the demonstration-reward method a form of "force" training and in it's root form, it is. How much "force" is put into the training depends on the dog trainer and the nature, age, size, and temperament of the dog in training. We prefer to think of it as "enforcement."

Stubborn, dominant, strong dogs must receive firm, hard, swift corrections. Gentle, easy going dogs should receive light corrections. Puppies receive physical guidance, encouragement, easy, light, hidden corrections.

Use of the Demonstration-Reward Method:

1. COMMAND - Verbal word, in an even, firm clear tone (not shouting!) to tell the dog what you want.

2. DEMONSTRATION - Physically showing the dog what you want.

3. CORRECTION - Use of choke collar and leash in a jerking (not pulling!) motion (this will be done repeatedly for a while). Also, use of voice in a firm, clear, displeased tone.

4. REWARD - If you have a willing worker, the reward will be lots of good, honest praise and petting from you!

Some dogs however are not willing performers and the use of tidbits of meat, cheese, dog crackers, etc. could help along with lots of praise and petting. This should be discontinued as soon as possible. Do not fall victim to the tidbits becoming bribes, where the dog will not work without them!

Trainees who have, or can develop a dominant leadership image for their dog will have no trouble using this method of training. Trainees unwilling to dominate their dog and require obedient behavior from it are wasting time in dog training!!!

Back

Menu

Next

Main Page