Your dog is a member of your family, someone you want to take out with you as much as possible and share as much of your life with as you can. Your loyal companion deserves to be by your side.
But most pups will need a little bit of training before eating out at dog-friendly restaurants, hiking, boating, or being in crowded public events before outings can go off totally smoothly.
Here are some areas and simple commands you and your pet can focus on as suggested by the American Kennel Club to make sure everyone has a splendid time with and around your pooch.
Sit
1.Stand in front of your dog while holding some of their food or treats and wait for them to sit on their own. Once they do, say “yes” (or click the clicker if you’re using one) and give them a treat.
2.Back away or sideways to encourage them to stand again; when they do, wait for them to sit again and when they do, give them another treat and say “yes.”
3.After a few more treats you can start to say “sit” just as they begin to take a seat.
Heel
1.Walk up and down a hallway or in a spacious room of your home. Carry lots of their favorite kind of treat, cut into small pieces, and hold out of the dog’s reach.
2.Call your dog’s name and point to the side you want them to come to. (Left is traditional for “heel,” but it doesn’t really matter.) As soon as they come alongside you, say “yes” or use the clicker and give them a treat.
3.After a couple of times, stop calling your dog or motioning to your side and wait for them to come beside you willingly, then say “yes” and reward them.
4.Speed up your pace and walk in crooked lines so your dog can learn to follow.
Stay
Don’t use treats with this one, as they will just lure the dog to come toward you.
1.Position the dog as you wish in either a sit, down or stand posture. Give the “stay” command, followed almost immediately by the “release” word you have decided to use such as “OK,” “Release” or “All done.” If the dog doesn’t come to you at the release word, clap your hands, smile or otherwise give them the “green light.”
2.Once your dog has been able to connect the stay and release words, begin increasing the duration between the two by a second or two; if your dog begins to move or looks like they’re going to, repeat the “stay” command until they do.
3.Then start to increase the distance you move away from the dog after commanding them to stay, taking a half-step away, then returning and releasing them. Work on this slowly, a step at a time, and always return before releasing them.
