How to Train and Equipment needed for training your dog(s)
When training, I learned that it is easier to train them when they've just been weened from the mother; but they can be trained at any age. Each of these steps usually take from 1 week to 3 weeks to perfect their training. I recommend at least 30 min a day every day, and it must be kept up throughout the dog's life.
First you will need to get the dog to walk on leash. To do this you put on the choke collar and leash. It is a good idea to leave the choke collar on at all times so the dog gets used to it. Now you start to walk and gently pull on the leash. If the dog seems to fight the leash a lot you can let the dog drag it around; just attach the leash to the collar and let it drag it around for about 10 min, but watch it so it does not get the leash caught on anything. Now try to walk the dog again. Do not keep the choke collar tight.
Slowly begin walking, gradually the dog will get the picture and begin to walk with you; once the dog is walking with you and not pulling back on the leash, you are ready to heel the dog. To do this you bring the leash up short leaving about 1 foot between the dog's neck and your hand. Then you give the command "heel"* and begin walking. Every time the dog gets ahead of or behind you pull it back into heel position. Do this by a short, sharp pull on leash and a sharp command to "heel"*. Once the dog no long tries to get ahead of or behind you, slowly release more of the leash. Remember, every time the dog gets ahead of or behind you, deliver a sharp, quick correction (this is the pull and command). Once you have only the handle of the leash in you hand and the dog is remaining in the heel position, with out needing correction, you have finished step one.
But again i must urge you to go through these procedures at least twice a week,once you feel the training is complete.
Apply firm, but gentle pressure on their rear (in a down-ward motion).Pull the leash a little and while you are doing the pushing, say "Sitz"*
Once the dog is in the sitting position, their rear must be completely on the ground; count to ten, then praise the dog and give him/her a treat. (WARNING-Don't give praises or treats unless the dog completely obeys, or you will spoil it's training.) On to step 3.
This step goes along with step two. Once you give the command "sitz"* you want the dog to stay in the sitting position, while you walk to the end of your leash. Once the dog is sitting you give the "blite"* command then start to walk away with your right foot first. If the dog moves with you, give a sharp, short tug on the collar with the command "blite"* "fouey"* re sit the dog and try again. It won't be long until the dog actually stays put while you walk to the end of your leash, holding nothing but the handle of the leash. Once you can do this and the dog remains sitting where you left it, you are ready to "recall" your dog. To "recall" your dog once you are at the end of the leash you give the "he-yaa"* the dog should promptly return and sit in front of you. Wait 10 seconds then praise the dog, give the "fouse"* command; the dog should then go around you and return to a sitting-heel position. Once the dog does this you can begin to drop the leash and walk further away, around 6 to 8 feet away. Once it does these things on command the first time the command is given, you are ready for step 4.
To do this you very firmly yet gently, apply pressure on the collar in a downward motion while giving the "platz"* command. The dog should lay down, if not apply a little more pressure until the dog lays down. Once the dog is laying down wait 3 or four minutes, have the dog get up let it walk around then do the same procedure again. Keep doing this procedure until the dog lays down on command without you having to apply any pressure at all to the collar. Once the dog does this with no problem, you are ready for step 5.
To get the dog to do a walking sit, you must first begin to walk with your dog. After walking about 6 to 8 feet with the dog, without warning stop and give the "sitz"* command; the dog should immediately sit. If it does, wait 10 seconds then praise the dog. Once it does the walking sit with no problem, you are ready for step 6.
To do this you follow step 5. Only once the dog is sitting, then you give the "blite"* command. Then walk about 8 to 10 feet; the dog should stay. If not, you correct the dog; make it return to sitting position, give the "blite"* command again and walk away. Once you have been away from the dog 3 min, "recall" the dog using the "he-yaa"* command. The dog should return to you and sit in front of you. When it does this, praise the dog. Then have it return to the heel position using the "fouse"* and "heel"* command. Once you are comfortable with the dogs performance up to this point, you may proceed to step 7.
To do this you follow step 6. Only instead of giving the "sitz"* command, you give the "plitez"* command. Again you walk away from your dog; once the dog has stayed in the down position for 3 mins or so, you then recall your dog. Continue theses steps throughout the dog's life; it will make the dog more manageable.
If all of these steps are followed and your dog does each thing without hesitation, then you have just basic obedience trained your own dog. Once you are very confidant that your dog has learned each step of this program, then you are ready for advanced obedience. Advanced obedience is doing these 7 steps the same way; only with out the leash!!
Have fun with your training. If you have any questions about these steps or any problems such as: chewing, jumping on you, wetting the floor, or just questions in general, e-mail them to me in detail. My address is on my index page.
*=All my training commands are in German, but you can train in any language you desire. If you want a list of all my commands click here.
**=NEVER let the collar get to small for your dog. As the dog grows, it's neck will increase in size; which means the collar must be checked often. As long as you can get two fingers under the collar, it is fine, but when you can no longer get two fingers under the collar comfortably, it needs to be changed for a bigger one.
