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There are many methods and techniques for dog obedience
training. When working with an *unusual or difficult
breed there is no need to invent totally new methods.
Stay with the proven techniques and an established trainer
and fit the proven techniques to your individual needs.
Usually dogs will try to do what the owner wants, pleasant
or unpleasant. However, if there is really harsh corrections,
especially with the stubborn animal, the dogs learning
ability can be blocked. If the owner can reasonably
demonstrate what he wants, and rely on the instinctive
pleasing desires of the dog, tension is reduced and
the dog will try to do what is required. Learning to
please is the name of the game. Most dogs will never
forget a pleasing situation, and will consistently do
the desired response to cause the pleasant situation
to repeat over and over.
This is a very basic, but reliable approach to take
with all obedience training.
This does not mean the lessons should be boring. Commands
and praise should be consistent, but if the routine
is varied, the dog will not anticipate each exercise,
nor will the dog or trainer become bored. Also, long
drawn out training can cause boredom and fatigue.
Because some breeds, such as scent hounds or sight
hounds, or dogs that have been bred for many generations
to pull, such as sled dogs, etc., do not take to heeling
as easily as others, don't start these breeds with heeling.
You want to start with positive training, and the many,
many corrections you would need with this type of dog
on heeling, would not necessary lead to a positive training
session for you or your dog.
Long Sit
For the difficult of unusual breed it is most often
best to start with the long sit. It is a useful exercise
because you can be in control of your dog early on,
and it is achievable for any dog. Start by sitting the
dog in the heeling position (beside your left leg).
Encourage the dog to watch you while he is in the sit
position. If the dog breaks the sit, pull up on the
lead and collar, and gently push down on the rear to
sit him again and praise when sitting.
After the dog sits and watches you consistently at
heel, try the watch me from other positions such as
with the dog sitting in front of you. Also try the "watch
me" when giving the dog a treat (you cannot fail this
way, and then the praise is both verbal and the treat).
Do the sit and "watch me" about 4 or 5 times a day.
Its easy, and you can do it anywhere in your home or
outside.
Recall
Once again, before doing any heeling, practice and
perfect the recall. What puppy or dog won't want to
come happily to you when its a positive training session.
With many breeds training the come on lead is a good
idea, but if you have a lead puller, don't fight it.
In the house or in your fenced yard with no lead walk
away from your dog (never over 10 feet at first) and
call him. Remember the dog does not yet know a perfect
sit in front or a perfect heel, the key is that he comes
to you happily. You can use arm and hand gestures at
this stage and all kinds of happy talk. The finer points
come later, but for now, happy training sessions, and
a happy willing dog will result.
The recall can be boring for the non-typical obedience
dog, so try to make it a happy game. Turn and run a
few steps from your dog, and let him catch up and come
to you. Praise each time he does. These methods for
the recall can eliminate slow recalls from a bored dog.
You will have a happy dog. Remember you have trained
this exercise with no lead, therefore no unpleasant
pulling and need for corrections.
* unusual or difficult meaning a dog
not typically seen in obedience very often, i.e., basset,
afghan hound, dachund, bull terrier, Newfoundland, siberian
husky, pekinese, etc.
More tips for teaching unusual dogs next week...
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Reprinted with permission by Bonnie Tetlock
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