Dogs are fun but, if they don't listen to you, they can get frustrating to handle. Here are a couple of commands your dog can learn easily and will make your life easier as a result. Keep in mind that these commands use food as a reward, but the best rewards are the compliments and praise he will receive after obeying each command. It is also a way to create a special bond with your dog and to encourage him to obey even for the attention you give him.
Steps
Step 1. Build a strong bond with the dog
If the dog is tied to you, it will be easier to start training.
Method 1 of 5: Sit down
Step 1. Take some of your dog's favorite foods, whatever they are
They will help get your dog to listen to you. If it's something small, it's better. Don't give your dog something he can't chew, or you will teach him to be aggressive.
Step 2. Hold a treat in your hand so that she can smell it but not eat it
Step 3. Holding the reward tightly in your hand, right above his nose, say in a firm tone, "Sit down
".
Step 4. The first time you will have to 'show' the dog what to do
Push him to put his hindquarters on the ground by gently pushing with the palm of your hand on the area of his hips (not his back) while pulling up the leash or the lower part of the collar.
Step 5. When the dog has sat down, tell him:
"Good boy!" and give him his reward. It is important not to repeat the word "Sitting". You only need to issue the command once, and then make sure it is carried out. Being nagging doesn't work with dogs either.
Step 6. Repeat these steps until your dog begins to associate obeying commands with receiving rewards and compliments
Once the dog is able to carry out the command smoothly, you can stop rewarding him.
Method 2 of 5: Lying down
Step 1. Repeat the ritual of rewards and compliments
Step 2. Have the dog sit with the command seen above
If you haven't been able to enforce it, getting him to lie down will be even more difficult.
Step 3. When your dog is sitting, keep the reward on the ground, out of his reach, so he will have to lie down to reach it
Step 4. In a firm and clear tone, tell him:
"Sitting!"
Step 5. If necessary, keeping the reward on the ground, gently pull his front legs forward to force him to lie down
Step 6. Give him the reward and compliment him
Step 7. Eventually, try to get him accustomed to following orders without using any rewards, so that he only responds to your verbal commands
Method 3 of 5: Roll
As before, if you have not been able to get your dog to lie down, it will be difficult for him to roll over
Step 1. Show the reward to the dog
Step 2. Get him to lie down
Step 3. Tell him to roll as you bend down and slowly describe circles in the air with his reward in hand
Step 4. The first few times you may need to help him roll
After a while, try to get him used to responding only to the command and hand gestures.
Method 4 of 5: Stop
Step 1. Have your dog sit down and ask someone to hold him off the leash
Step 2. Stand still next to him, facing the same direction, so that the dog's head and shoulders are aligned with your legs, hips and shoulders
Step 3. Extend your hand 10-15cm from his face and tell him to stay still
Step 4. Stand 2 meters away and face the dog
Start by letting it sit still for just a few seconds, then gradually increase.
Step 5. Start with the dog to your left and walk around it until it returns to the starting position
Step 6. Reward him
Step 7. Free him from the leash
Step 8. Repeat, as you did for the other commands
Method 5 of 5: Here the Paw
Step 1.
Have him sit down.
Step 2. Grab one of its front legs and squeeze it as you would for someone you just met
Step 3. Tell the dog:
"Here the paw!"
Advice
- Once you have gained some experience as an instructor, you will be able to use a clicker (you can find it at any pet shop), hand gestures or other signals, as well as voice commands. Dogs often understand more than people realize. Rewards are always the best way to get your dog to pay attention, listen, understand, and learn.
- Remember, if your dog doesn't do what you say the first few times, the worst thing you could do is get frustrated and take it out on him. You would frighten him, and he would become deaf to your commands. Just try again, and then again, congratulating and rewarding him when he can do what you asked him to do, and you will soon be able to get your dog to sit on command whenever you want, wherever you want. If your dog just can't do it, don't give up; both take a 20-40 min break and try again.
- Using your hand, apply gentle pressure on the back of your dog's knees to make him sit up. Congratulate yourself extensively, and I also recommend that you give him a reward right afterwards. Doing so will give him a boost of self-esteem, and make him more eager to learn. Try to make it fun and playful for your dog; in return he will give you his love, respect and obedience.
- If you have more than one dog, isolate them with the one being trained so that they don't have any further distractions.
- Always use a fairly firm and firm tone of voice when giving a command to your dog.
- Don't overwork your dog, especially if it's a puppy. Try to notice when he has had enough and is starting to get bored or distracted.
- There is no need to train him every single day. Leave some space between sessions so your dog can relax. By doing so, it will tend to follow you better.
- Don't interrupt your dog's training. Just give him some time to relax.
- Don't stress your dog! If you do, he may get aggressive to the point of wanting to attack you!
Warnings
- Be careful to push your dog's rear to the ground. If you push too hard you could do some damage.
- Among friends and family, there will be someone who will be impressed by the tricks you taught him and who will ask the dog to do them for him. Okay, the problem arises when they allow the dog not to complete the commands. For example, if someone said, "Sit down!" to a dog, and the dog does not sit at the first attempt, he should avoid repeating the command several times and then get tired and allow the dog not to sit. The command must be repeated a maximum of two times (and only after training is completed). After two attempts, the dog is gently forced to sit down. Try to imagine what would happen if a dog only sat down when he felt like it. If he was going to run into the street or attack another dog and you told him to sit down, he would ignore you. Don't let someone give your dog commands and then allow them to ignore them.
- Make sure you don't give your dog too many rewards, or he will get used to receiving them for doing anything; he may decide not to do anything that does not provide a reward in return. However, in the later stages of training, acknowledging his good behavior by complimenting him will only do him good.
- Don't use a command to punish your dog. For example, if you want to punish him for doing something like relieving himself inside the house, avoid calling him back and then punishing him. You might make him think, "He's calling my name, it means he wants to punish me as soon as I get to him, I won't go to him the next time he calls me!" A good punishment is to go to him and say in a firm tone: "NO!". It will be enough.
