Stay, Come & Follow

If your dog doesn’t listen to you, there’s only one way to improve: practice.  After a week of practice we can see the dramatic improvement in control.

Training a wriggly puppy to stay is takes some concentration.  The dog must already have a firm understanding of the basic positions, as well as the “Off” command.  Build your stays a little at a time.

Dogs often behave differently with different people.  In a family, it’s very important that all members train with the dog so that everyone has a similar level of control.

Off leash following requires mental control.  Without any treats you can use your voice and energy to keep your puppy happily following by your side.  If a 7-year old can do it, you can too!

If your dog isn’t the most energetic, you may have to work harder to get them excited and motivated for training.  If they’re lazy, praise them enthusiastically!

This exercise is all about building off-leash control of your dog.  It rewards your dog for coming when called, sitting and having their collar taken, which makes them very easy to catch. The alternative is a dog that runs away when you go to take it’s collar.

Always reward a good recall.  However, as soon as their recalls are solid, you want to start adding a default sit at the end of recalls, so your dog is ready for the next cue.

An effective trainer can switch immediately from sweet praise to stern reprimand.  Use the tone of your voice to let your puppy now when you like what they’re doing and when you don’t.

To start building distance control, you want to try luring your puppy into following you without touching them first.  After you lure them, it’s still important to positively reinforce the collar grab.

Following your dog rewards them for walking away from you.  But if you walk or run away from them they’ll probably come after you, and then you can praise them for following you.