How to train a dog

Training a pet dog is easier than you may think. Dogs respond most to the approval and love of their owner, so those are your best training tools.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A gentle hand, to pat your dog
• A few simple treats
• A little patience

1. Find a a quiet place with few distractions where you and your dog can work together for about a half hour.

2. Decide what you will work on this session: Sit, Stay, Come, Stay with me ("heel").

3. To teach "SIT," Look your dog in the eye to get his attention. In a firm voice, state the command, SIT, and gently push down his back end to sit. THe next time, just point your finger when you say SIT.

4. When your dog sits, pet him on the head, saying "Good boy." Repeat 10 times. About every three times, give him a treat. DO NOT GIVE HIM A TREAT EVERY TIME HE SITS.

5. At the end of the half-hour, let your dog relax and run around as he likes for a little while. Play with and pet him. Then leave your "training area" and come back to the same place the next time.

6. Between training sessions, be sure your dog practices what he's learned. Tell him to SIT often. When he does so, continue to show approval. The next session, start with what he knows (SIT) and proceed to the next lesson. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR DOG! That's it!

Tips & Warnings

• Your dog wants only to please you. If you are consistently the caregiver, provide him with food and water, exercise, attention, and love, it will be easy to get him to do what you want, including walking off-leash.
• If your dog is a large breed, naturally aggressive be sure you spend more time socializing him around other dogs and people before you let him off leash!

[lbernell]

on 3/28/2008 This person really knows how to train a dog for simple commands.