Free Obedience Training Tips For Dogs

Obedience training is a must to "build or strengthen a close, healthy and appropriate relationship between you and your dog," says the Dog Obedience Training Review website. You need to establish yourself as the pack leader by setting rules and boundaries to eliminate any confusion your pup might have as to its place in your pack. Start your pup's training in a safe place without distractions, and don't overwhelm it by teaching multiple commands at once. If you stick with teaching one command per week and practicing them every day, your pup will become a picture of obedience.

  1. Teaching "Sit" and "Down"

    • To teach "sit," hold a treat over your pup's nose and then move it over its head. It will follow the treat with its nose, causing its butt to touch the floor. As soon as that happens, say "sit," give your pup the treat and praise it, even if your pup did it by accident. To teach "down," put your pup into a sitting position. Next, hold a treat close to its nose and then move the treat straight down toward the floor. Your pup will follow the treat down until it is lying on the floor. As soon as it touches down, add the command "down" and shower it with praise.

    Teaching "Stay"

    • Once your pup is calm and exercised, get it into a "sit" or "down" position. Stand directly in front of it for one to two seconds and if it doesn't move from its position, praise it. Repeat the process and add a few seconds to your waiting time. If it holds its position, praise it. If it breaks it, make a noise to discourage the behavior (for example, "aah-aah") and start over. Once your pup can do this, verbally add "stay" while you hold your hand up, palm facing your pup in a stop position. If your pup doesn't move, praise it. Each day you practice "stay," add more time to your pup's position. Try taking a few steps away from it and then step back to it. If it holds the position the whole time, praise it.

    Teaching "Come" -- The Most Important of Commands

    • The "come" command is the most important one to teach your pup, therefore, you should never punish it for coming back to you. Your pup may think punishment is a bath or being gated in the laundry room, so it is up to you to make the "come" command overwhelmingly positive and rewarding for your pup. Kneel or crouch on the floor, say your pup's name and then "come!" As soon as it comes to you, praise it excitedly and give it a special treat. Repeat this throughout the day. If possible, let another person hold your pup while you hide somewhere in your house and call it with "come." When your pup finds you, excitedly shower it with praise. Eventually, take your pup outside on its leash and practice "come." Keep the end of your pup's leash in your hand, walk backwards a few feet in front of it and use the command. Shower your pup with praise when it comes to you. Next, try a longer line (for example, a rope or lead) and repeat the praise when it comes to you. Never use a leash or line to bring your pup to you.

    Teaching "Leave It"

    • Sit on the floor in front of your pup. Place a training treat in one hand and in the other, its favorite treat (for example, cheese). Open the hand with the training treat and hold it in your palm under your pup's nose. When it reaches for the treat, immediately close your hand. If your pup acts disinterested the treat, verbally praise it and give it the cheese from the other hand. Approximately 10 seconds after you complete this, repeat it. If your pup still doesn't go for the treat, leave your hand open with the treat in view, praise your pup and give it the cheese. Repeat this several times. Next, add the command "leave it" as you hold out the treat. If it leaves the treat, praise it and give it the cheese. Your pup will learn that if it leaves the training treat, it will be rewarded with something better. Over time, add changes, such as holding the treat in different positions or using a toy on the floor instead of a treat in your hand. Your pup will learn that "leave it" applies to whatever is in front of it.