DOG 16

Training
your dog

The charity dedicated to

helping sick, injured and
homeless pets since 1897.
 Trainin
g your d
og
A well
trained
behave do
d can t g is a happy
in mor ak dog. A
e place e part in fam dog th
at is w
s. ily life ell
and is
welcom
e

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For example: Things to remember
A dog that greets politely rather than Make learning fun. Your dog will
jumping up will not need to be shut respond much more quickly, and if
out of the room when visitors arrive you do make mistakes the dog will
not be afraid of trying again. If the dog
A dog that walks on a loose lead is does make a mistake it is your fault.
much more likely to be taken for Try again, but this time ensure you are
more walks in a position to help your dog to get
A dog that is under control and comes it right.
back when called can be let off the lead Keep sessions short (about two
and enjoys more freedom and exercise. minutes) and practise about five to
This ensures the dog has more mental six times every day
and physical exercise and will be better
behaved in other situations. Practise in different areas, for example
in the house, out on walks and in the
Giving your dog food or toys to reward garden, but keep distractions to a
the behaviour you want makes it fun for minimum until your dog understands
both of you. You will also get to know your requests
each other better, which in turn ensures
you have a strong bond. When to reward:
– all the time for the right movements
How dogs learn – then for the whole action
Dogs learn by association, so if your dog – then for best attempts
does something and is rewarded, the
Rewards can be:
action is much more likely to be repeated.
For this to be effective the reward must – food (this can be part of your dog’s
be linked to the action. When training, this dinner or small treats)
means the dog should get the reward – praise
within one second of the action. – a toy or game

Remember it is only a reward if your dog

wants it.

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 s
o finger Equipment
be a ble to fit tw llar
uld co
You sho y fitting
d er a correctl A correctly fitting flat buckle collar or
un
“Gentle Leader” headcollar, long lead,
titbits, toys and a list of the commands you
are going to use (to ensure consistency).

Training for life

Remember you need to repeat these
exercises a few times a day, every day,
until your dog is trained. Once trained,
you can maintain your dog’s response
A Gentl
e Leade by occasionally going back to basics and
r headc
ollar rewarding the behaviour you want.

Getting your dog to pay

attention and respond to
its name
Hold the reward between your and
your dog’s eyeline, say your dog’s name
and as soon as your dog looks at you,
give the reward.
tbit When your dog pays attention to its
y to hold a ti
rect wa name you can teach the dog to come
The cor
when called.

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Come when called
Show your dog the toy or food Only call when you are going to praise
your dog – do not call your dog if you
Run away a couple of paces
are going to punish or shout at it
Call your dog’s name and say “come”
Recall your dog regularly when out on a
in a happy voice
walk and give a reward. Don’t call your
As the dog comes to you, hold the dog just to put it back on the lead.
collar and either feed or play with
your dog
Gradually increase the distance that
you are from your dog, until eventually
you can call your dog in and out of the
garden or from room to room

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“Sit”
Lure your dog into position with a titbit just
above its nose, then move your hand over
the dog’s back.
As the dog’s head tilts up and back the
dog will sit. As your dog actually sits, say
the command “sit”. Don’t say it before the
dog moves into position or your dog may
associate it with the wrong movement.
Caution – if the reward is held too high,
or moved too quickly, your dog may jump
up or back off.
Practise the sit at kerbs, or when greeting
people ask your dog to sit rather than
jumping up – remember to reward!

“Down”
From the “sit” position it is easy to lure
your dog to the “down” position.
Place your hand just under the dog’s chin
near to the chest – lower your hand to
the floor.
When on the floor, slowly draw your
hand forward and the dog will follow it
into a down position. As your dog lies
down, say “down”.
If your dog isn’t lying down, try teaching
the command under your leg or chair so
that the dog has to lower its body.

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“Wait” or “stay” Pulling often starts before you even leave
the house, so training your dog to walk on
When you have taught your dog to sit and a loose lead starts with getting your dog
lay down on command, you can extend to sit quietly as a lead is put on.
these exercises to include the dog staying
in one place. Ask your dog to “sit” or With your dog sitting at your side, set off
“down” then, instead of giving the titbit and give the command “heel” (so that
straight away, wait for a few seconds your dog is aware you are about to
and say “wait” or “stay”. move). If the dog gets ahead, stop and
encourage it back to your side with a titbit.
Walk on a loose lead Repeat.
Before you begin training, decide which To begin with, stop every three to four
side your dog will walk on and how far paces to praise your dog and give a titbit.
in front you are prepared to allow your Do not use your voice unless your dog
dog to go. You may also consider using is at your side. You can also practise this
a Gentle Leader since used correctly, this off-lead in a secure area – this makes
will stop the dog pulling and will give you you work really hard at keeping your dog
control of large or powerful dogs. with you, rather than relying on the lead.

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“Leave” or “off”
Teaching a “leave” or “off” command
helps teach your dog self control and
is also useful in the following
handling exercise.
Handling, grooming
Continue to give titbits, but every third
or fourth time say “off” or “leave” and
and restraint
keep the titbit between your fingers Your dog must learn to be touched all
and thumb so that your dog can’t eat it. over so that you are able to go to the
Don’t move your hand away as that will vets, give medication, clean teeth and
encourage snatching, but as soon feet and so on.
as your dog stops nibbling your
When your dog has learned the “off”
fingers and moves away slightly,
command you can hold a titbit just in
immediately reward by saying
front of your dog and gently handle your
“take it” and allowing the dog
dog. Start by briefly holding a paw, lifting
to eat the titbit. The dog learns
a lip or stroking under the tummy, then
to back off in order to receive
allow the dog to take the titbit. You will
the titbit. As you move the titbit
be keeping your dog’s attention on the
towards your dog say “take it”.
food and rewarding your dog for being
Repeat a few times. handled in one exercise.

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Go on to teach your dog You may also consider joining a dog
training club for your dog to work towards
more useful things gaining the Kennel Club Good Citizen
When your dog has learned the basics Award, or taking part in a sport such as
and learned to work for rewards, you agility. The Kennel Club and Association
can teach lots of fun and useful things of Pet Dog Trainers will have a list of
such as: go to bed, settle, retrieve and training clubs.
tricks such as shutting doors, roll over,
give a paw and so on.

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Happy, healthy pets
Blue Cross advice leaflets are packed Blue Cross
full of top tips to help owners with their
pet questions. They cover a wide range Blue Cross has been dedicated to the
of topics, from training a puppy to caring health and happiness of pets since 1897.
for an older cat. So if you need some Abandoned or unwanted, ill or injured –
support to help you with a pet problem, we do what's needed to give every pet
whether it’s about a dog or a degu, we’re a healthy life in a happy home. We're a
here for you. charity, so the more help you give us,
the more help we can give pets.
You can read and download our leaflets
online at www.bluecross.org.uk How you can help
Visit our website to take advantage Blue Cross doesn’t receive any
of all its features, including: government funding, so we rely on
the generosity of pet lovers like you.
• blog posts from Blue Cross experts
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Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4PF
Telephone: 0300 777 1897
Fax: 0300 777 1601
M6617/0112

Email: [email protected]
www.bluecross.org.uk
Registered charity no: 224392 (England and Wales), SC040154 (Scotland)