No dog, or owner, will be happy without beginning dog obedience lessons. Like small children who run wild, an untrained dog will not be welcomed in many places. Wouldn't it be much nicer to have a dog who will sit calmly at your side as you visit a local winery on a pretty day?
You won't get far training your dog if Fido doesn't have a reliable sit. When starting to train your dog, put a treat over his head and he'll naturally back up and sit to look at the treat. Immediately reward and praise your dog.
Hold a treat between your dog's front paws and wait for him to follow it with his nose - his elbows will follow. 'Down' is a very necessary command when training beginning obedience.
This might be the most important command you can train your dog so do it right. Teach him that 'Stay' means 'don't move a muscle. Don't breathe' (ok, that last part was for grins only). Reward the stay command ONLY when the dog stays. If he gets up or moves, place him back in the exact location where you issued the command and reward for a 'Good Stay.'
Giving the 'Come' command means 'Stop what you're doing and beat feet over here right now.' Don't give this command unless you're sure your dog will obey. If he doesn't come, you must go get him and make him come. Again: This command should only be issued when you're certain your dog will obey.
This important command could well save your dog's life one day. A stern 'Leave It' means 'stop what you're doing right now.' It can mean 'don't run after that deer' or 'don't chew on your brother's ear.'
When training a dog in obedience, the hardest part is training the human. Issue a command only ONCE; always only once. If you're not willing to make the dog obey the command, do not issue it. People who say 'sit, sit, sit' only teach the dog that they don't have to listen to the first 'sit.' It's called diluting the command and it just confuses your dog.
Nice list! Great job!
Good job!
Your list is well prepared and so needed. Socializing a dog means teaching and expecting good results.
select one here...