Dogs need to learn a lot of things for them to live comfortably in our world, such as walking on a leash and greeting people without jumping. Group classes can be a great place to work on these skills.
Positive punishment is a form of training that involves adding something the dog does not like to a behavior. This can include pops with a training collar or verbal cues. Read on Sierra Canine for more information.
The “come” command is one of the most important commands to instill in your dog. It enables them to return to your side when off-leash, which ensures their safety and strengthens the bond between you and your pup. However, establishing reliable recall requires a lot of time and consistent repetitions to become ingrained in the animal’s behavior.
Begin by practicing the command in a quiet room with no distractions and a comfortable level of leash tension. Throughout the training, encourage your dog to come by offering treats and verbal praise. Repeat this process until the animal consistently responds to your call. Afterward, you can move on to more challenging exercises and locations. Once the dog has mastered this command on the leash, you can train them for off-leash adventures in safe areas.
To increase the reliability of the “come” command, make sure your animal responds to the command by coming all the way to you. If your dog fails to do so, you may need to replace your current reward with a different motivator. Food is an excellent choice, but you can also try toys or environmental reinforcements such as sniffing.
It is important to train the “come” command in different environments, as your dog may not fully understand the command if only trained at home. Additionally, you can use a remote training collar that emits a tone or vibration to help reinforce the command in noisy environments. If your dog fails to come to you despite multiple attempts, you can also apply gentle pressure on the leash until they respond. However, it is vital to remember that using corrections should be used sparingly and only when necessary.
The “shake” command
The “shake” command is a useful tool for your dog, as it allows them to shake themselves dry after getting wet. It also helps them interact with people in a more confident and controlled manner. The shake command is simple to teach, and it will likely come naturally for your dog once they get the hang of it.
Begin by nudgeing your dog’s paw with your finger while giving the “shake” command. Continue to do this until they lift their paw into your hand. When they do, mark and treat them. This will reinforce their behavior and make them understand that they need to respond to the command.
Once your dog begins lifting their paw into your hand, you can start moving your shaking hand around the floor, while continuing to mark and treat them whenever they leave their paw in your hand. Once your dog has mastered this, you can begin to introduce the verbal command. It’s up to you what you choose to call the shake command, but it’s important that you choose a word that will be easy for your dog to recognize.
After your dog starts responding to the shake command, you can begin phasing out the treats. Continue to reward them whenever they respond to the shake command, but eventually you should switch to only rewarding every other time. This will help your dog learn that the shake command is a self-rewarding behavior, and it will allow them to become more independent from treats.
Once your dog has mastered the shake command, you can start training them to shake with other people, such as friends and family members. This can be a great way to socialize your dog, and it will also help them be more comfortable when greeting visitors to your home.
The “off” command
The “off” command is used to get a dog to take their paws off people, furniture, or anything else they don’t have permission to be on. Like the “come” command, the “off” command is important for ensuring your dog’s safety and maintaining control in situations where they are off-leash. It can also help ensure their recall capabilities in busy environments, which can save lives in emergencies.
The best way to train your dog to off is to use a treat or their favorite toy and a verbal command. Say their name and then put the toy or treat in front of them and let them sniff it. If they try to lick or paw at it, say “off” or “no” firmly and give them a light leash correction. Then, as soon as they stop putting their paws on it, reward them with the toy or treat and lots of verbal praise.
Once they are comfortable with the off command, try to apply it in everyday scenarios such as at the park or when you have visitors. This can be difficult because dogs may jump on a visitor to gain attention, but by consistently using the “off” command you can teach them not to jump.
This command can be especially helpful if your dog is interested in something they shouldn’t have, such as garbage or a plant that is toxic to them. Use the “leave it” command when training this behavior and make sure all family members are on board with it. You can also practice this command with a stuffed toy or a treat during walks. It is important to train your dog on things that smell bad because these are usually the most tempting for them to explore.
The “drop it” command
If you’re walking your dog and they grab a piece of garbage, a toy that they shouldn’t play with, or a dangerous object like a stick or a rock, having them able to drop it on command will save both your hands and your dog’s teeth. This is a valuable skill to teach them, and it will also come in handy if they are aggressive guarders (growl, bare their teeth, bark or snap at you when you try to take something from them).
To teach your dog the “drop it” command, start by offering them a treat, then letting them have the item they’re holding. Repeat this sequence several times until they consistently drop the item to get the treat. Then, begin training them to drop items with higher-value objects, such as a ball or a toy that you can then throw for them. Gradually phase out the reward, so that they will drop things based on a verbal cue alone (drop it).
The best way to train a dog to drop it is to use play as the primary reward, such as a game of tug or fetch. This sets them up to not rely on food treats for this important life-saving command, and it teaches them that they must drop something when you ask them to even if they are excited or distracted.
To help your dog understand that they must “drop it” no matter where you are, practice in different rooms of the house, then outside and finally when you’re out and about (the park, pet store etc). Be patient and consistent when teaching this command, and be sure to practice it in quiet places without distractions.
The “stay” command
The “stay” command is an essential training tool that can help your dog stay safely by your side. This is especially useful when you’re taking your dog for a walk or when you want to keep them away from an item of interest. It’s also helpful in situations where you need to prevent your dog from running out into traffic or bolting when a natural disaster strikes.
To train your dog to stay, start by getting them into a down or sit position. Then, place your hand in front of them with the index finger pointing at them. When they stay, give them a verbal command and immediately reward them. Repeat this process a minimum of 5 times. Gradually increase the duration of the stay by a few seconds each time you practice. Once your dog can hold a stay for 30 seconds, you’ll be ready to add distractions.
When adding distractions, be sure to start slow. Begin by introducing small distractions, such as a toy or other dog, and gradually work your way up to more challenging distractions. As you progress, remember to practice in a variety of environments and always come back to reward your dog.
In addition to rewarding your dog when they do a good job, you should also use positive punishment when they disobey. This can include physical corrections such as the pop of a training collar, verbal commands such as “Eh Eh!” or other trained cues like sound. This will teach them that a specific behavior is off limits and that they should wait for a release. It will also improve your relationship with your dog as they learn that obedience is non-negotiable.
