Posts Tagged ‘dog training course’

Before starting dog training, it is best that you know your options well. These days you can find many types of dog training, in many different places. These trainings vary in price and each one them has something different to offer.

The first type of dog training is known as puppy preschool. This is a dog training course meant for puppies that are about 6 weeks to 5 months old. These puppy preschool classes generally last for no more than 6 to 8 weeks. In these training sessions, your puppy is essentially taught how to socialize with people and as well as other puppies. Here your puppy also begins to learn how to sit down, stay at a place, and how to come.

The second type of dog training course is meant for the dogs that are at least 5 months old. This type of dog training is known as the basic dog training. The duration of these classes is usually about 8 to 10 weeks. This is the basic course, where your dog is taught the art of walking properly on a leash, sitting, staying, coming and heeling.

The third type of dog training course is known as the intermediate dog training. This dog training aims at teaching the dog mostly the same things that are taught in the basic training course, in a more detailed form. Here the dog is trained to stay for a longer span of time, and is also taught to follow the orders given by other people.

The intermediate dog training generally lasts for about 8 to 10 weeks, and is meant for those that are no less than 5 months old. It is essential for the dog to have completed its basic dog training course, or to be accustomed to the basic commands that could have been taught by the owner.

The next type of training course is known as the advanced dog training course. Here, once again, the course is quite similar to its previous one, i.e., the intermediate dog training course, except for the fact that this time it is more detailed. Here, the dog is taught how to sit even without you in the view.

This training course is about 8 to 10 weeks long, and is meant for those that have completed their intermediate training. Here, they are also trained to walk beside their owners without a leash. Moreover, it gradually prepares the dog to take the Canine Good Citizen training course.
The Canine Good Citizen training for dogs is the last course. To pass this course, your dog will be taught the 10 necessary aspects.

This course is strictly meant for those dogs that have completed all the previous courses. The test is quite tough and can only be passed if the dog is really well behaved. Depending on whether your dog can pass, the course can last for several weeks.

Keeping this information in mind, you should be able to decide the dog training course best suited for your dog. However, you may seek the opinion of your local dog trainers to know more. Many trainers consult for free. So now you should be at least a step closer to introducing your dog into a training course!

Training Your Dog to Stay 3 Homework

Practice this Training Your Dog to Stay several times a day, with fewer repetitions. Vary the time of day and location. Make sure there are as few distractions as possible.

Remember to use the same commands (“Stay,” “Free”) every time, using a low, quiet tone of voice.

Give instant praise and reward after just a couple of seconds by bringing the treat all the way to her mouth so she doesn’t move to get it.

Do not be tempted to see if she’ll stay longer. Right now it’s very important to lay a solid foundation.

Practice your “Stop sign” hand signal and make sure it’s different from your “Sit” motion.

In Addition to Practicing This Training…

• Reinforce Training 3, Teaching Your Dog to Come when Called. Continue teaching your dog to come when called. Practice in various locations that are free from distraction, at different times of the day.

  Remember the priority is to teach her that coming to you is a wonderful thing that will make her very happy. Don’t use the come command when what you’ll do when she comes is something she won’t like.

  Resist the temptation to give the come (“Come! Come! Come!”) command more than once if your dog doesn’t respond. Instead, go to your dog and show her the treat in your hand. Give the verbal command, turn and move away while clapping. Be sure to praise (“Good!”) as soon as she looks at you, and then reinforce generously with treats when she reaches you.

• Reinforce Training 2, Teaching Your Dog to Sit. Continue teaching your dog to sit at various times throughout the week.

  You can use a training area that is slightly more distracting than last week.

  After a few successes when using both the verbal command and arm motion together, try them separately. First by saying the word alone, without moving your arm (or anything else). After a few successes with that, try using the arm motion alone, without giving the verbal command, during your next session. Alternate these during practice sessions throughout the week… separately, not during the same session.

  Be sure to give lots of praise and several treats to reward the correct action.

  Intermittent Reinforcement Begins

  When you’re confident your dog will respond correctly when asked (verbally and via arm motion) to sit, you can begin “intermittent reinforcement” for this particular command. Continue giving verbal praise, but back off on giving treats every single time your dog sits on command. Give treat rewards intermittently, at random. This gradual withdrawal of treats is an important step, so don’t skip it. (You can delay it another week and continue with giving treats 100% of the time, though, if your dog doesn’t yet sit whenever asked to do so.)

  Start using petting (make sure it’s the kind your dog likes—most dogs do NOT like pats on the head, for instance) and play as other forms of reward. Always include the verbal praise.

• Reinforce Training 1, Teaching Your Dog Her Name: By this time your dog should be responding to her name even when the level of distraction is high. If she does so consistently, you can stop practicing this Training.
• Give yourself a treat! At the end of this week you’ll have been patiently being an excellent teacher for your dog for a full month! You’ve had to retrain yourself to focus on communicating in ways your dog understands, which may be contrary to what you’re used to. That’s hard work! So reward yourself for a job well done. Go out to dinner, indulge in your favorite food treat, do whatever you consider a great reward. Seriously, please do this. You deserve it… and it will help reinforce your correct behavior!
• Have fun playing with your dog! Don’t focus all your time together on training. Spend lots of quality time just enjoying each other’s company.

Read this Training Your Dog to Stay lesson 2 first, and then practice it with your dog.

First, load up your pocket (or a bag or pouch) with treats.
Take your dog to an area where there won’t be a lot of distractions.
If you’re right-handed, put a treat in your left hand (vice versa if you’re left-handed; you want the treat in the hand you won’t be using for your hand signal).
Place yourself about two feet away from your dog.
Ask your dog to sit. As soon as she does, say “Stay” in a low, quiet voice and raise your hand, palm open and facing her, in the universal “Stop” hand signal. Look directly at your dog. Try not to move any other part of your body.
After a very brief pause of just 1 or 2 seconds, say “Good,” lean forward and give your dog the treat from your other hand. Important: Make sure to quickly move the treat all the way to her mouth so she’s not tempted to get up and move toward it.
While your dog is still eating her treat, release her by saying “Free” in a low, quiet voice, and lean back away from her.
Important: Let your dog get up or do whatever she wants, but do NOT praise or reward her for getting up. You want her to learn that the Stay action is the one that will reap the rewards.
Repeat Steps 4-8. Be sure you don’t allow more than a couple of seconds to go by before rewarding after giving the Stay command.
Repeat this process five times.

If your dog doesn’t do what you want

If your dog doesn’t stay still for a couple of seconds, she’s probably too distracted. Try moving to a different location, or waiting until she has less energy.

Make sure she knows you have a treat in your hand.

Keep your tone of voice low and quiet, letting it drop in pitch (versus going up, as if you’re asking a question).

Make sure your hand motion is distinct and does not look like the arm motion you use during the Sit training.

Proceed to Training Your Dog to Stay 3