How to be successful

• To be really successful in your training you need to really understand your dog.
  Try to get in to his head - If you can understand how he feels then you will understand how he will react.
  
• Don't yell at your dog - it doesn't work
• Be consistent.
  persistent and patient.
  
• Reward and Praise in equal measures.
  
• Set the environment and the boundaries - You are in charge.
  

Lets start with the basics.
Teaching your dog to - 'come'

• Begin teaching this basic command "COME" as soon as possible.
  
• This command should not be any real difficulty to your dog as it is a natural pack animal and will naturally want to follow the leader i.
  e YOU.
  
• If for some reason your dog doesn't come or does not recognize your call or is distracted - you need to keep repeating the call "COME" firmly again and again until your dog reacts-and he will!
• As soon as he comes - reward with a treat and praise.
  
• He will recognize this and will learn to come - gradually stop the treats but continue the praise.
  

"Out" and "No" -How to teach this command.

• We will use this command - with getting an object out of your dog's mouth.
  

We have all been in a situation when our dog has something in his mouth that we don't want him to have - it may be shoes or a stone - but it could be something altogether more dangerous such as a electric cable or a plug - but how do you get the object out of his mouth.

• Your dog will not at first be able to understand or make much sense of this command.
  
• You will need to bring this command in slowly - start by saying 'OUT' loudly and decisively several times- while also trying to get the object out of his mouth.
  
• Don't change the command if you start with 'OUT' then keep it, don't start chopping and changing and bringing in other commands as this will only confuse your dog.
  
• If your dog is resolutely refusing to let go of the object (if it is dangerous to your dog's health) - try this secret trick - Do not do it hard - gently grab your dog by the muzzle and press its lips gently against his teeth - this will work almost every time!
• When your dog opens his mouth and releases the object - Praise and reward allot!

"Sit and Stay" - How to teach this command.
Your dog should know this command as early in it's life as possible as it may save his life.
How many times have you opened the door to a puppy and it has run out on an empty street- REMEMBER - the street is not always empty.

• The word sit will mean nothing to your dog until you have taught him it.
  
• Put your dog on your left hand side.
  
• Pull the leash and collar lightly and quickly upwards and put some gentle pressure on your dog's hips with you thumb and index finger and say 'SIT'
• Dog's learn verbal commands at the same time as pyhsical touch and relate the two.
  So do the same with the command 'STAY'
• Gently touch the front of your dog's nosewith the palm of your hand - gentle but decisive
• Do both these commands in a quiet environment- keep repeating these methods with rewards and praise.
  

In Part 2 we will focus on more dog training problems and advanced training techniques