Things You'll Need:
- Leash (retractable)
- Treats
- Toys (chew and fetch)
- Patience and vigilance
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Step 1
Probably the first thing you want to do is teach your puppy to sit. Make sure you have treats handy. Tell the dog "sit" and as you say this, push the puppy's bottom to the floor so it is sitting down. Immediately give the puppy a treat and love on it, saying "good job, good boy (or insert name)" Repeat this over and over again. You don't have to teach him in one day, but at the very least repeat this 4 or 5 times a day (more preferrably). He'll eventually learn that he gets praised (and treats) when he sits down. Once he starts sitting each time you ask, start to replace the treats with praise. Soon enough, you'll tell him to sit and he will, and all you'll have to do is say "good boy" and pet him, no treats needed.
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Step 2
It's the same with lie (or lay, however yoy say it) down and stay. When teaching him to lie down, first tell him to sit, then say "lie down" and gently push his upper body to the ground. Give treats and praise. Teach him to lie down the same way you did when you taught him to sit. For stay, hold your hand out (like if you were saying "stop") and tell him to stay. Slowly start backing away. If he gets up to come after you, loudly and SHARPLY say "AH!" This works better than "no" because when you say "AH AH!", your entire body tenses, and they can tell. This will make him stop momentarily. As soon as he stops coming toward you, say "good boy! Sit!" When he sits, tell him he's a good boy, then hold your hand out and tell him to stay. Keep repeating this until you can back up a few steps and pause, while he's still sitting where he was, put the treat down (still keeping your hand in the "stop" position) then say, "ok, come get it!" or something to that effect. When he comes and eats it, praise him. Repeat this as often as needed.
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Step 3
Getting him to come can be easy or hard, depending on how you do it. When he's in a confined area (like a room in your house) stand at the other side of the room. Pat your legs and in your happy voice (the voice you use to praise the dog) tell him to come. If he comes, praise him and give him a treat. If you keep doing this and he comes every time, then take him outside and try it again. It may be a little harder because of all the smells and distractions. If he just will not come no matter what, a trick is to call him and lay on the ground. This immediately piques his attention and he'll want to come over and see what's going on. Praise him when he starts coming over, and give him a big treat when he comes to you.
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Step 4
Those are the basics for training your dog. However, without constant mental and physical stimulation, your dog may become a trouble maker. He could dig up your yard, tear up your furniture, or develop a bad biting habit (because he wants to play). You'll need to take him on long walks often. This will help him calm down a little. Take him to a dog park where he can play with his other canine buddies.
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Step 5
A game that is sure to keep this dog happy is a good old-fashioned game of fetch. Whether he's fetching a ball, a frisbee, or a stick, this game will help get rid of some of his excess energy. Also, tug-of-war is a great game. Just make sure that you don't give the impression of being weak (so don't let him drag you all over the place..and if you can't keep yourself from being drug all over the house, don't play). If he thinks he's stronger than you, that could lead to dominance problems. You have to remain the Alpha dog, so to speak.
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Step 6
Try hiding a favorite toy (maybe a special bone that he loves) and having him find it. Start easy, with putting it behind your back and asking "where is it? Where's your toy? Go get it!" in an excited tone of voice. He'll get all happy and search for it. Progressively make the game harder...hide it behind the couch, under the bed, anywhere so he'll have to hunt for it (but make sure he won't break anything or be unable to get it once he's found it).
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Step 7
Any new trick you see another dog do, try to teach him. They love do learn new things. Just do the same thing you did for teaching him to sit, lie down, stay, etc. Always reward for when he does it right, and in the beginning help him along. After he's got it, slowly replace treats with praise.
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Step 8
Another thing to keep him busy would be to have him fetch (or just swim) in your pool or at a nearby public lake. Of course, I wouldn't suggest the lake idea if you live in Florida or any other area where alligators are known to be, but if you have a pool that would be a great way to keep him busy. Go out daily and throw his favorite toy in. He may go in after it, he may not. He may not even like to swim. And that's fine. But at least try it.
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Step 9
Get ideas from dog trainers, tv, anything. New tricks. For example, I've met someone who (through a LOT of training) taught their dog not to eat treats that were put on her paws until the woman said it was ok. Then she taught her to eat the one on her left paw when she said "left" and then the right paw when she said "right" (or visa versa).
Comments
revisitingnixon said
on 7/23/2007 Congrats on having this article be picked as the winner for the "Top Written Requested How to Article!" Check out the forums and see which other winners we have this week. Check it out at:
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-Rich