FUN, FAIR &
FIRM
Always start your obedience training with play. By doing so helps your dog
enjoy and understand the training. You should work your dog 30 minutes,
then play with the dog again, always beginning and ending the training
with play. DURING THE TRAINING YOU SHOULD ALWAYS GIVE VERBAL AND PHYSICAL
PRAISE. The dog should be worked a minimum of three times a week.
NO
The command NO must be taught as a basis for all training. Whenever this
command is given, it means for the dog to stop doing whatever he is doing.
A leash and choke chain should be on the dog when the command is given and
a sharp, quick jerk should be given at the same time as the NO. Do not
reach for the dog. Always reach for the leash.
HEEL POSITION
The dog's shoulder should remain no more than 6" away and no closer than
4" parallel to the side of your hip.
HEEL COMMAND
Meaning to walk off starting with the left foot first - at the same time
giving the dog a gentle bump on the should with the left foot - at the
same time giving a gentle jerk and release on the choke chain and the
command to HEEL.
SIT
The dog should be sitting with rear legs placed directly under him and
facing the same way as the owner. (Do not let the dog move.) Lift up with
the lead and push down on the dog's rear end. Say "sit." To perform a sit
from a down position, start with your right palm facing the dog at ground
level. Then bring your hand in front of the dog's face to the leash above
his head and lift the dog quickly into a sit position, with a command to
SIT.
STAY
To remain stationary. The hand command for stay is to bring your left hand
around behind the dog's head, and then in front of the dog's nose. At the
same time, give the command to STAY. The dog should remain in the position
he was in at all times. If the dog should move, he should be placed back
EXACTLY in the same position he was in.
DOWN
Down in the heel position - To lay down with all four legs facing forward
under the dog's body and head. The hand command is to take your right hand
from your left cheek down in front of the dog's nose grabbing the lead and
jerking down and forward toward the ground. Say "Down, stay," and give
verbal and physical praise when the dog minds.
COME
Come with dog in sit stay or down stay position. Place the lead in your
left hand and with the right hand extended palm facing the dog horizontal
to the ground, bend at the elbow, bringing your hand to your chest. At the
same time tell the dog to COME, giving a jerk towards you on the lead and
pulling the dog toward you. This should end with the dog sitting in front
of you, facing you.
FINISHING THE DOG
With the dog sitting in front of you and facing you, give your dog the
HEEL command. (1) At the same time, rock back on your right foot, swing
him around to your right side, behind you,
and then to y our left side. The dog should be sitting next to you, facing
forward in the HEEL position OR (2) At the same time, rock back with your
left foot, pull him back and away from you, swinging him into the HEEL
position.