Dog / Puppy Every Day Skills - Positive Dog Coach

This information is based on what I used for my dog and is not guaranteed to work for your dog nor is it the only way to train. There are many resources available which may or may not be appropriate for your specific situation. Safety is the most important consideration in any training with your dog so please proceed with that in mind.

Biting

Puppies are teething and learning how to navigate the world with their mouth. It's what they do. We need to teach them that it is not what we want them to do.

Here are some simple strategies:

- get up and walk away for 5 - 10 seconds
- return to play and repeat if the dog bites again
- continue playing if the dog doesn't bite

Refrains from biting during play:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Drop It

This skill can start at home and then become very useful outside while on a walk.

Here is a strategy:

- when they have a toy in their mouth, --hold out a treat and say "drop it"
- as soon as the toy leaves their mouth, mark and then give a high value treat
- practice with different items
- fade out the treats by doing it every few times and increase the times without
- practice it outside after

While at home:

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While on a walk:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Kennel

Not all dogs like to be in a crate. Some might prefer an X-pen.

Here is a simple strategy:

- use a high value treat to have them go into the kennel and use the word "kennel" when they enter
- point to the location and use the word "kennel" or the word you have designated
- slowly increase the duration spent in the kennel
- when they go into the kennel, give them a treat
- do this often until they can go into the kennel from anywhere in the home

When at home alone:

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When going to bed (if used):

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When traveling:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Leave It

This skill is best taught at home first using items that are appealing to your dog.

Here is a simple strategy:

- start with a lower value item and put it somewhere that they can access it
- you can start with your dog on a leash so you can guide them away if needed
- go near the item and let them smell it and say leave it, as son as they turn away from the item, mark the behavior and give a higher value treat
- they will chose the higher value treat and leave the item with you
- slowly increase the value of the item that your dog is to leave as they are able to leave the lower value items
- practice outside while on a walk

With food on the counter:

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With food on the coffee table:

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With items on a walk:

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When someone has food in their hand:

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When other dog owners have treats:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Lie Down

If your dog doesn't know what lie down is, you can lure them into the position.

Here is a simple strategy:

- hold a treat at your dog's chest
- move it down and forward and the dog's body will follow the treat to get it
- as soon as your dog is in the position, mark it and reward using the word "down"
- continue until your dog lies down without the lure

At home:

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While out at a restaurant:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Loose Leash Walking

Start this skill early, consistency is critical in teaching this and it can take time for it to become conditioned.

Here is a simple strategy:

- while walking your dog, give them treats while walking close to you
- when they move ahead too far, stop and call them back to your side and give them a treat
- if they pull, stop and call them back and give them a treat beside you
- they do not need to be looking at you to receive a treat
- continue this until your dog is consistently walking without pulling
- fade out the treats by giving them less often and eventually not at all unless passing something that is distracting them

Safety Precautions:

- always be aware of your dog's reaction to other dogs and people
- keep your dog's leash sort of tense so that they cannot lunge
- only use a long line on a walk when you are accustomed to it's dangers
- cross the street if you need to be further away from distractions

On neighborhood walks:

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While distracted:

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When a dog is in sight:

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While passing people:

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When a squirrel is spotted:

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Comments / Action Plan:

On Your Bed (Place)

This skill will be useful for having guests over or just quiet time.

Here is a simple strategy:

- put a treat on your dog's bed while they are away from it
- when your dog goes onto the bed, mark and give them another treat
- give your dog treats while they are on the bed to encourage staying
- after a few seconds, say a release word such as "free" to allow them to leave the bed
- progress to not putting a treat onto the bed first and only marking and treating once on the bed
- gradually increase the amount of time to keep your dog on the bed
- fade out the treats for the dog going onto the bed and treat for staying
- eventually fade out the treats for staying on the bed

While relaxing at home:

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At bedtime:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Recall

This skill should be very reliable before you allow your dog off leash.

Here is a simple strategy:

- start with recall in your home
- call your dog into different rooms
- move to your yard if you have one
- move to an open and enclosed area without distractions with your dog on a long line (for safety reasons do not hang onto the longline)
- have someone call your dog and gradually increase the distance of calling them back and forth
- as soon as your dog is in a run to the recaller, mark and treat when they get to you.

Be very sure it is safe before taking your dog out to an off leash trail, when you do, give high value treats often when your dog comes back to you to check in.

Safety Precautions:

- make sure the recall is reliable
- practice walking in parks with your dog on leash so that they can get used to being around other dogs
- start with a dog you know in an open off leash area
- you need to know how your dog is going to react to other dogs while off leash

In the house:

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While distracted:

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In the yard:

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At the park:

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At the park when engaged or distracted:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Sit

This skill is one of the easiest to teach and most difficult to call on consistently and in different environments.

Here is a simple strategy:

- start with teaching it in your home
- use a treat to lure them into a sit by moving it up and to the back of their head but not far away from it and say "sit"
- as soon as their bum touches the floor mark, use and treat
- progress to not using a lure (comes fairly quickly)
- practice in different rooms
- practice while out on a walk (while on leash)
- fade out treats

When waiting:

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While stopped on a walk:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Stand

This skill can be very useful while at the vet or if your dog is lying down and you want to put on their harness.

Here is a simple strategy:

- use a treat to lure them into a stand position by holding the treat in the position you want them to be standing in from a sitting or lying position and say "stand" as they get up for the treat.
- as soon as your dog stands mark and give them the treat
- change the treat to a hand signal
- when your dog does this consistently, fade out the treats
- practice in different areas in the house

From sitting or lying position:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Stay

This skill is important for many reasons including safety.

Here is a simple strategy:

- while your dog is sitting in front of you, say the word "stay" along with a hand signal.
- wait a few seconds, mark, and give them a treat
- repeat this while gradually increasing the duration and the distance between you and your dog
- practice safely in different areas of your home and in an enclose area outside
- fade out the treats

When Sitting:

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When lying down:

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When I leave the room:

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With distractions:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Take It

This skill is useful for when you do not want your dog to take a treat or something right away.

Here is a simple strategy:

- hold a treat in your hand .
- when you are ready, say "take it"
- while playing with a toy, hold it away from your dog and when you are ready, say "take it"
- use "take it" whenever you are giving your dog something

While taking treats:

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While taking meals:

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Comments / Action Plan:

Wait

This skill is very useful in many situations inside and outside of the home. This allows them to calm before eating or going to a destination.

Here is a simple strategy:

- hold a treat in your hand .
- say "wait"
- if your dog makes an attempt at it, close your hand and say "wait"
- continue this until your dog can wait a few seconds before you say "take it"
- for door entry, have your dog wait, before going through the door
- if your dog attempts to go through the door, close the door (gently)
- wait until your dog is able to wait long enough for you to open the door and then say "ok"
- going through the door is the reward so no treat is required
- have them do the same for eating dinner
- have them wait until you say ok to eat their food

For Food:

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At Doors:

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When Sitting:

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Comments / Action Plan:

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Basic Dog Training Dog / Puppy Every Day Skills

Basic Dog Training

Biting

Drop It

Kennel

Leave It

Lie Down

Loose Leash Walking

On Your Bed (Place)

Recall

Sit

Stand

Stay

Take It

Wait

Finish Course Early?

Basic Dog Training Dog / Puppy Every Day Skills

Basic Dog Training

Biting arrowup6

Drop It arrowup6

Kennel arrowup6

Leave It arrowup6

Lie Down arrowup6

Loose Leash Walking arrowup6

On Your Bed (Place) arrowup6

Recall arrowup6

Sit arrowup6

Stand arrowup6

Stay arrowup6

Take It arrowup6

Wait arrowup6

Finish Course Early?

Biting

Drop It

Kennel

Leave It

Lie Down

Loose Leash Walking

On Your Bed (Place)

Recall

Sit

Stand

Stay

Take It

Wait