Dec 27, 2024
Dec 27, 2024
The next step now is to teach him to SIT. For this the dog comes to you smartly and sits on his haunches in front of you. His forelegs are straight and parallel to yours. His muzzle is almost touching your legs. As compared to COME, this exercise is slightly difficult because the dog feels his freedom is curtailed as long as he sits in front of you. Puppies being trained for SIT without leash come and sit and run away after taking the reward. However, in my method since the leash remains all the time attached with one end in your hand, his chances of bolting are zero.If he does bolt, a jerk on the leash reminds him not to do so. Please note that any command once given must be obeyed. In case he does not, please do not ignore him by thinking, ‘it’s alright, next time he won’t do’. But he has already disobeyed you. Given a chance he would like to disobey you every time. Therefore, please keep in mind that there is nothing as ‘Next time’. The procedure for SIT is simple:
Word of Command: SIT
As the training sessions continue, you will notice that now after 30 days the response of the dog is much better. He looks forward to the session. It is obvious that by now your dog has learnt the commands of COME and SIT to a level of proficiency with leash.
The next command in this order is to take Down position on command DOWN. This is position which dogs prefer while relaxing. Their all the legs are parallel to the ground and so is the body. All the legs point front wards. In case of dogs with long tails like Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd, the tail should be drawn out in a line with the body, parallel to the ground. Weak or overweight dogs tend to shift the load of their body on one side. This should be discouraged from very beginning. The dog should rather appear alert and ready for action, with not trace of slouching to one side. This position comes really handy if you have a dog that welcomes everyone into the house. In case of a stranger at the door it is very reassuring if there is a huge dog between you and the stranger in Down position as you open the door. The dog may be wagging his tail, but to a person with evil mind he would look like a monster to jeopardize his designs. As usual the training starts from the confines of a room:
Word of Command: Down
While the dog learns the above three commands, you find that he responds much better to the touch of hand. It is wiser to use your hand for patting the dog’s chest and scratch his forehead in praise. Of course sweet tone has the magical effect. Recent researches have proved that the touch of hand carries lot of meaning to the dog. Even sick dogs are cured by the master’s gentle caress. Therefore during the training session and even at other times you must touch your dog as much as possible.
The three commands, COME, SIT and DOWN are such that the master remains stationery while the dog moves towards him. The next three commands, STAY, STAND and GOare slightly different. Amongst these in the first two, master is free to move after the dog has learnt the command. It takes about 45 days for the dog to learn the first three commands. Though the method is planned for another 45 days for the remaining three, but I am sure that if the master is serious about training and religiously carries out the routine, the remaining three can be learnt by the dog in a much shorter time. Once the dog has learnt all the commands, it is for the owner to continue the daily practice. The retaining power of dogs is poor; therefore a daily repetition is a must. You will observe that the dog always looks forward to you after the training. His personality improves. As bond between you two becomes stronger and you can innovate many more lessons for him.
Dog Training is an art and science both. I have tried to explain the science of training you have to develop the art by practice. If you maintain a regularity and devotion your dog will show more devotion. If you are irregular then please forgive me and your dog both.