Training Suggestions

Julie’s Training Guide

Golden Rule: Every dog must give something to get something

Basic Commands

Sit – Hand signal, fingers slowly move from low to high just in front of dog’s nose.
*ask only one time and wait for result
This command is a foundation for all other commands. It is great for impulse control. Use on walks before crossing streets, before feeding/treats and in situations where dog is getting out of control. Great reset button!

Come - Hand signal, hand motioned to come
This command is for recall. This command is the only command that can be repeated. If dog doesn’t listen to your command of “come” on first couple requests, get treats to lure him in and praise. Practice often! Important not to scold him when he does return after several failed attempts. That will only reinforce his not listening, a very common issue.

Stay – Hand signal, flat hand aimed at his face
*ask only one time and wait for result
Use at street crossings, before walking out doors (so you can go first) and for general control.

Down – Hand signal, two fingers slowly moving downward in front of face
*ask only one time and wait for result
This command is great for impulse control. Use to keep dog in controlled position or when trying to get him to relax.

Off – Hand signal, pointer finger pointing down and away
This command is for getting dog off furniture and people. If he doesn’t listen after two requests to get off of furniture, get leash and gently pull him into correct spot, ask him to sit and praise him once in correct place.

Leash Training

Heal –This command asks dog stay by your side and follow your feet on walks.

Release – Use when you want to release dog from commands such as sit, down, heal (free to roam, pee and smell things)
20 % of walk – use “heal” (use when walking out/in front door, passing people)
80 % of walk – use “released” (dog gets to smell, pee and enjoy the walk when safe)

Common Behavioral Issues and Answers

Jumping On You/Guests

Turn back to dog, fold arms and ignore until dog calms down and stops jumping. Once dog is calm, turn back toward dog, ask dog to sit and give praise (say in calm way “good dog,” pet under chin and under neck
Lift knee towards dog to claim space. Once dog is calm, ask to sit and give praise (say in calm way “good dog,” pet under chin and under neck
March toward jumping dog. They hate to be up on back legs going backward. Once dog is calm, ask to sit and give praise (say in calm way “good dog,” pet under chin and under neck
Leash dog and place handle under heavy furniture. As person approaches and dog gets over excited, person steps backward. Once dog sits calmly, person walks forward. Repeat until person can approach a calm dog, then praise for calm behavior. If dog gets excited again, walk backward again. Repeat as necessary.

Dashing Out Door

Put dog on leash first! Ask Dog to sit near door. Dog should always be behind person (not next to door). Once seated, slowly open door. If dog’s butt gets up, close door fast. Repeat over and over until dog stays seated while door is wide open. Then slowly walk out door first and invite dog to “come.”
Teach dog to “go to place.” Place towel or folded blanket on floor away from door. Say “go to place” and teach dog to put all four feet on towel/blanket. Once there, praise and reward with treat. Repeat this often to train. When guest come, give command “go to place” and “stay” to have dog stay there until guests enter door. Great to prevent jumping on guests as well.

Barking

Allow dog to bark once (great to have as alarm that someone is there). After first few barks give command “enough.” If dog stops, give praise. If barking continues, say enough and clap hands loudly. If dog stops, give praise. If barking continues, shake penny bottle loudly. This should stop the barking. Once barking stops, ask dog to come, praise, ask dog to sit and praise.

Pulling/Lunging

Pulling and lunging on leash can be dangerous. Use appropriate training collar placed just below ears. When pulling starts, give sharp snapping pull sideways giving pressure to dogs side neck muscle. Never pull straight up! Repeat until pulling stops.

Mouthing/teeth on humans

Imitating a litter mate, give out a high pitched puppy cry letting dog know it has gone too far. Dogs understand this to mean stop biting. Immediately place nyla bone in dogs mouth and praise.
If biting continues, carefully curl dog’s upper lip into upper tooth and gently push saying “no bite.” This will always make dog release whatever is in dog’s mouth.

Potty Training

Have dog sleep in properly sized crate. Dogs by instinct will not pee or poop where they sleep and eat. First thing in the morning, take outside, on leash and place dog where you want them to go. Keep dog in area you want them to go until they do. When dog goes, say “Go potty, good dog” to label action and be sure to praise heavily. Dogs by instinct will pee and poop where they smell other pee and poop.
If accident inside, be sure to clean all well with Nature’s Miracle or other enzymatic to be sure all molecules of scent are gone.

Marking

If dog starts to lift leg near corners, furniture, items on floor, immediately yell no and take dog outside to try and “go potty,” Dogs will usually sniff area, do a small turn and then lift leg so look for those clues to stop behavior before it becomes a habbit. If necessary, use belly wrap to prevent furniture from getting peed on.

Other Tips

Always have dog sit before feeding – establishes leadership
Always go through doors first – establishes leadership
Don’t allow dogs to go up on things without invitation. If they do, say “off” praise when they do and then invite back up if that is what you want. The idea is they can’t take, it must be given.
Use calm voice and energy to calm dog. Use excited voice and energy to get dogs excited.
Use two finger poke to the neck muscle as a strong negative reinforcement. This signals dog brain to stop whatever behavior they were just doing.
Make use of game of fetch to teach: Recall, Sitting, Staying and Fetching. Great game to play and teach at same time. Wonderful way to teach impulse control.

Recommended Tools

Crate – to sleep in. This is great for helping nervous dogs relax, potty training and keeping dog safe from household hazards. Can be used when traveling as a home away from home”
XPen – for new dogs, puppies. Keeps dogs safe and helps reinforce potty training
Martingale Collar - Don’t use a harness for training! They create an automatic response in dogs to move forward making it very hard to teach no pulling.
Solid Leash – find something comfortable
Empty Water Bottle filled with pennies – this works as great negative reinforcement
Bully Sticks – use in crate only for easier crate training (keeps them busy for hours)
Nyla Bones – use to train “no bite” for the mouthy dogs
Toys – enrichment to prevent boredom
Treats – use for training. Easier to lure dog into good behavior using high value treats
Water/Food Bowl – Dogs like having their own bowls