Basic obedience skills are important for your dog to learn for a number of reasons, including your pet's safety. Teaching your dog the basic commands of "sit" and "stay" can stop him from bolting out the door and jumping on arriving visitors. In addition, these basic skills increases the bond between you and your dog and give you more confidence in your ability to handle your pet. It also reduces stress in your pet, who now understands how he is supposed to respond in various situations.
Things You'll Need
- Dog treats
Instructions
Sit
Take your dog to a quiet location, preferably indoors.
Take a treat and hold it above your dog's nose so that she naturally points her nose upward.
Move the treat over her head so that her haunches move toward a sitting position.
Give her the treat as soon as she moves into the "sit" position.
Repeat the exercise several times over several days. Begin saying the word "sit" aloud to name what it is she is doing and what the desired behavior is that you are seeking.
Stay
Put your dog in the "sit" position.
Wait a few seconds before giving him the treat. Over several training sessions, increase the amount of time between putting him in the sit position and giving him the treat. Begin adding the word "stay" to the exercise.
Increase the amount of distance between you and your dog while he remains in the sit-and-stay position, waiting for the treat. As he masters these skills, continue to increase the distance, including leaving the room.
Add a command to tell your dog that he is released from his stay. For example, say "free" and give the pet his treat to indicate that he no longer is expected to stay in position.
Door
Give your dog the command to "sit" before the door is opened.
Give your dog the "free" command once the door is closed and it is safe for her to move about again.
Give your dog her treat and lots of praise to let her know that the behavior she exhibited was what you had expected from her.