Dog Training - Teaching Your Dog the Basics: Sit, Stay and Lay Down
Today we are going to discuss some of the most basic, but also most important commands to teach your dog. Many dog owners, fail to teach these basic commands to their dogs, and that is a terrible mistake. This commands could make a difference on your life and your dog's life.
If you doubt this, let me give you an example. Imagine that you are walking your dog around your neighborhood, the street is relatively calm, without much traffic. Suddenly out of the blue your dog gets loose, (his collar was to loose), and the dogs runs across the street at the same time that your next door neighbor is coming home. Now, I do not have to tell you what could happen to your dog…But if your dog have learnt the simple command, stay, for sure the story could be a lot different. Incidents like these happen every day, and your dog won't know better. He depends on you to train him and teach him what he can or can't do.
Read My Article Below:
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Title: Teaching Your Dog The Basics - Sit, Stay and Lay Down
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
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A well trained dog is a joy to have around. An untrained dog is a bit of a nightmare.
Everyone wants a well trained dog, but it won't happen overnight, and it won't happen on it's own. You as the owner, need to put time and effort into training your dog, but your reward will be a pet that everyone loves to have around.
One of the first things you need to train your dog to do is go outside to do her business. One way of doing this is to take your dog outside and stay with it, until it has gone to the bathroom, then bring the dog inside again. Do this at regular intervals and the dog will soon learn that if it goes to the door, it will be let out. If your dog is a puppy, you need to bring him out 15-20 minutes after eating, and immediately after waking up from a nap.
In the night, when you do not want to be outside with your dog, then take her outside just before bedtime, when she has finished, bring her in and put her in her designated sleeping place. First thing in the morning, take her outside again. If you are away from home during the day, and she is left alone, follow the same procedure. Take her outside just before you leave, put her in her designated sleeping place, and the moment that you return, take her outside again. You have to accept that there will be some accidents along the way, but perseverance will pay off.
You should teach you dog to sit, and to lay down.
To teach your dog to sit, then sit on the floor with your dog. Choose her favorite toy and play with her with it. Hold it above her head, as she will often sit in an effort to keep her eyes on her toy. When she does this gently push on her back hind, and say the command "sit". Eventually she will do it without the toy. You may need to hold your hand up a little so that she looks at it. Each time your dogs sits, make sure that you give her lots of love and attention.
After your dog has learned the sitting command is time to teach the stay command. One technique is to gently hold the dog's back hind down on every attempt that he makes to get up after the sitting command, and say the word, stay. Do not let the dog get up from the sitting position until you release him with an Ok.
In the same way, you can teach your dog to lay down. Again get onto the floor with your dog and give her lots of attention. Tell her to "sit", and when she does, this time, gently pull her front legs a little so that she will lie down. Each time you do this, say the command "lie down". Every time she does this, make sure you give her lots of love and attention. She will soon be doing by herself every time you say the command.
Remember to practice these commands with your dog daily for fifteen minutes. Make the training practices fun, by giving him some treats and praising him when he follows the commands. A well trained dog is really a great dog to have, and both you and your dog will be very happy.
Have a great "dog training" day,
Dr. Alfonso
