Stay, Come & Follow

When you practice position changes, you want to vary the length of time you have the pup stay in each position, so they begin learning to “Stay.”

The easiest lure you can use is a food treat.  Dogs are naturally attracted to tasty snacks, and if your dog does something you like, it makes a very handy and effective reward.  Just make sure you slowly phase it out before it becomes a crutch.

If you’re dog is doing the right thing, you need to let them know.  The more enthusiastic your praise, the more effective it will be.  Sometimes a helper can help provide some extra energy.

As soon as your dog understands hand signals, stop using treats to lure them.  Put the food in your pocket and only bring it out occasionally to reward a particularly good performance.  And always finish on a good note!

Your dog can’t follow you if you’re not leading.  Walking away from your dog is the only way they can follow, and if you yell and clap and run away they’re likely to chase after you.

The best way to improve sits and and recalls is with lots of short training sessions filled with many quick repetitions.  If they get stuck, try luring them from the ground.

Lying down can be a sign of anxiety.  To get them moving again kneel down and lure them from their level, all while maintaining a loose leash.

Being able to alternate immediately between praise & reprimand according to a dog’s behavior is the most fundamental skill in dog training.

Make your food treats tiny, and if your commands aren’t working, try it more emphatically.  Use a stern tone, a hand signal or an exciting lure.  But if you need to use a food treat to lure them at this point, then they shouldn’t receive it as a reward.