Step-by-step training guides from basic obedience to advanced tricks and behavior.
Reliable recall is the most important safety command.
Steps: 1. Start indoors, no distractions. 2. Say name + Come in happy voice. 3. Run backward. 4. High-value treat when they reach you. 5. Increase distance and distractions. 6. Use long line outdoors.
Tips: Never call for something negative. Make coming the best thing ever. Extra-special treats for recall only.
Drop It ensures release of dangerous objects.
Steps: 1. Offer low-value toy, let dog hold. 2. Hold high-value treat to nose. 3. Say Drop It. 4. When they release, mark and reward. 5. Gradually command before showing treat. 6. Practice with more valuable objects.
Tips: Always trade up. Never chase or pry. Practice multiple items.
Teaching attention is foundation for all training.
Steps: 1. Hold treat at your eye level. 2. Dog looks at treat then your eyes. 3. Say Watch as they look. 4. Mark and treat. 5. Gradually increase duration of eye contact. 6. Add distractions.
Tips: Start in quiet room. Use excited voice. Short sessions. Essential for reactive dogs.
Leave It teaches self-control for dangerous items.
Steps: 1. Treat in closed fist. 2. Dog sniffs/licks/paws. 3. Moment they stop, say Yes and treat from other hand. 4. Repeat until immediate look away. 5. Practice with treat on floor under foot.
Tips: Never let them get the item. Use higher-value reward for leaving item. Takes many reps.
Down is a useful settling behavior.
Steps: 1. Start in sit. 2. Treat at nose. 3. Lower to floor between front paws. 4. Move treat forward. 5. Dog follows into down. 6. Say Down as they settle. 7. Treat and praise.
Tips: Hand gently on back if they pop up. Soft surface. Never push them down.
Walking calmly on loose leash makes walks enjoyable.
Steps: 1. Start with dog on left. 2. Stop when leash tightens. 3. Wait for slack. 4. When dog looks back, mark and treat. 5. Take steps and repeat. 6. Reward checking in.
Tips: Front-clip harness helps. Never yank leash. Reward voluntary walking near you. Takes weeks.
Teaching sit is the foundation for all training.
Steps: 1. Hold treat at nose. 2. Move up and back over head. 3. Bottom lowers naturally. 4. Say Sit as they sit. 5. Treat and praise. 6. Practice 5-10 times.
Tips: Use high-value treats. Keep sessions 5 mins. Practice in different locations. End on success.
Stay teaches impulse control for safety.
Steps: 1. Ask for sit. 2. Open palm say Stay. 3. Step back. 4. Praise and treat if stay. 5. Increase distance/duration gradually. 6. Release with Okay or Free.
Tips: Build duration before distance. Use release word consistently. Never punish broken stay.