Southern Horse Magazine Page 95
Mans Best Friend expert Beate Rothon
Following on from part one; How to start training your new puppy. Mans best friend expert Beate Rothon continues with part two:
TRAINING CAN BEGIN
The best way to be the best trainer is to follow these few simple steps
- use simple clear keywords -
combine the keyword with a hand signal you also use (handy for later distance control)
- do not try to teach many things at once - - -
start in a place with little distraction
give the dog time to understand the command stick with your teaching method
The last 2 points are very important. I often see owners changing their teaching methods every
few weeks,
because they have seen or heard about another way to teach. Different leads, collars, training aids methods…yes they might be all very good, but you need to give the dog a chance to fully understand what you want from him or her. Changing things too often will confuse the young dog and allow him/her to decide to ignore you or do their own thing.
Let’s start with Sit, Down and Come Sit:
If you have found a good training class you are happy with, follow the instructions of the trainer you trust, but ask questions and try to understand what you are doing.
There are so many books, articles, experts and TV programs on the market. Everybody claims to have the perfect answer and training method. But most important is that you understand!!
So before you start to train your dog sit down and decide
- what do I want to teach - which level do I want to achieve
A dog does not understand our language, all he needs is simple clear keywords, used immediately when he has done the right thing, combined with a positive encouragement in the form of a happy voice, treat or play.
Imagine yourself as being the dog to be trained and the trainer speaks Chinese!! Would long ongoing talking help you? Would you enjoy it? Most likely not.
And what if the trainer uses a lot of different body movement at the same time?
This makes understanding even more confusing! Show the dog a treat in your hand so he cannot get
to it. Move the hand towards your body and say ‘Sit’. Let the dog work out what you want and try not to use force. As soon their bottom touches the floor reward with your voice and treat. Repeat for a few times and always end on success. If you do this 5 times and the fifth time is good … stop! Continue it later.
Down: Start the same way I prefer to teach each command separately, so in this case the dog is standing and not sitting) point your finger with the treat in your hand to the floor and say ‘Down’. As soon the whole body is on the floor reward.
If you use the word ‘Down’ try not to confuse Sit, Down and ‘Sit-down’ this is a very common mistake.
Come: Again have a treat ready and start in a room, where the dog cannot escape. Call your dog with a happy voice and open arms. If the puppy comes to you put one hand into its collar and then give the reward. It is very important that the dog gets used to your hand in his collar before getting the treat; otherwise you might end up with the behavior of snatching the treat from your hand and immediately run away. Once the dog has got his reward by looking up to you put either the lead on or let him go off for a play. Mixing the 2 ensures a situation, that the dog understands that coming back to you is a positive thing and not always means: end of fun.
Never get angry if your dog does not come immediately. Coming back to you should always be rewarded, no matter how long it takes.
info@southernhorsemagazine.co.uk
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