Making Friend: Training Your Dog Positively by Linda Colflesh

Author:Linda Colflesh
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Dogs, Pets, General
ISBN: 9780764573293
Publisher: Hoboken, N.J. : Howell Book House, c2004.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Making Friends: Training Your Dog Positively

Teaching your dog to accept restraint can prevent aggressive behavior when your dog is groomed, examined by a veterinarian, or hugged by a child. (English Springer Spaniel) Some dogs may strenuously resist doing this. It is important to be more stubborn than your dog is. He may even be frightened. If he is, it is important for him to learn that he will not be hurt, so don’t give up. If your dog struggles strongly, it may be helpful to try a different position. Kneel so that your dog’s back is against your knees and his legs are facing away from you when he is on his side. Hold the front and back legs that are closest to the ground. Hold your dog in this position until he relaxes. When he does, praise him quietly, release, and reward.

If at any point in doing this, you think your dog might bite you, stop immediately and seek the help of an experienced dog trainer.

Handling Paws on a Down-Stay

Next week you will be clipping your dog’s toenails as part of his training to accept restraint. To prepare for that, here is a warm-up exercise. Down your dog and roll him over onto his side. Then handle each of his paws. Squeeze them as firmly as you will when you cut his toenails. Release him with an

“okay” and reward him.

If you have already tried unsuccessfully to cut your dog’s toenails, you may have to overcome toenail clipper phobia. Start by placing the toenail clippers by your dog’s bowl when you feed him. Then put your dog on a sit-stay and reward him for staying while you hold the clippers in your hand.

When he is comfortable with this, progress to putting him on a down-stay and touch his toes with the clippers. Be generous with your rewards.

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Basic Training the Positive Way

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Week 5

Reliable sit

Stay in the car and at the door

Sit-stay for ear cleaning and teeth exam

Stand-stay for petting and grooming

Down-stay away from home

Toenail clipping

Reliable Sit

There are times that your dog will ignore your sit command because he is very distracted or because you do not have a treat. When this happens, gradually pull up on the leash or collar until your dog feels discomfort but his front feet are still firmly on the ground. Keep the tension on until your dog sits. Do not jerk and release. The second your dog starts to sit, release the tension.

Your dog may take quite a long time to sit the first time you try it because he will not understand what to do to make the discomfort go away.

Keep repeating the sit command in a calm voice. Be persistent (have I said this before?). Eventually it will take less tension and less time to get a sit, until you will only have to touch the collar. Remember to keep praising and rewarding with treats! (I think I’ve said this before, too.)

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