THREE ESSENTIAL COMMANDS:

• SIT: with bait in upturned fist, put your fist on your puppies nose. Then as you say "sit" move your fist straight back toward his ears. As his nose goes up and his tail meets the ground immediately release bait and say "good dog". It may help to have him backed into a corner.

• DOWN: from a sitting position (puppies not yours), holding bait fist down. Hold your fist infront of his nose, command "down" as you move your fist to the floor. As his nose follows, hold on to bait until he drops to the floor to get it, immediately release bait and say "good dog". You may have to hold his rump from going up as his nose goes down :).

• STAY: you'll need to have collar and lead on for this exercise. It's like pretending your a yo-yo. With palm open flat, to his nose say "stay" take one step backward and then forward. If he hasn't moved release bait and say "good dog". Repeat a few times then increase the distance.

THE MOTHER OF ALL COMMANDS

• RECALL!! Imagine watching your dog head straight into traffic as you call in vain. Practise this every day! A puppy owner should have a pocket full of treats at all times for this purpose. During that delightful adolescent phase you will need to reinforce it. Think of Pavlov. Your dog must associate a recall with something good. Never call your dog to you to punish him or to throw him in the tub.

HANDY COMMANDS

• DROP IT: Just a command to add as you grab your dog and remove something offensive from his mouth, it will come in handy later on as in DROP THAT SHEEP!

• LEAVE IT: (This is really handy in a field full of meadow muffins) Show your puppy that you have a treat in your fist. Tell him "leave it". When he stops trying to get the treat and backs off, immediatly release the treat and tell him he's a "Good Dog"

• WATCH ME: Comes in handy to take your dogs eyes off a subject of desire, fear or aggression (another dog). It will also make training easier if your dog is in the habit of keeping an eye on you. Say "watch me", and with treat in fist lightly touch your dogs nose, then bring your hand to your face. If you got your dog to look at you, hand over the reward. It is so simple the dog must tell his buddies that he is so wonderful that his person just looks at him, melts and hands over the treats:)) (NOT a good command to start on an already agressive dog!)

• FETCH: teaches two important commands: "TAKE (IT)" and "GIVE (IT)" Your puppy can learn a large repertoire of words if you keep them short, concise, make sure they are heard, enforced, and rewarded. Some pups are naturally mouthy, others can be taught. Get a favorite toy, sit cross legged on the floor and coax your puppy onto your lap (if he isn't there already:)) While you let your puppy chew on the toy, pet him, then let or help the toy fall out of your lap. Of course he will hop out to get it and be right back in your lap for more petting! :) Gradually increase the distance and add the command "fetch" or "take it" and "give it" Dont forget the verbal praise"good boy".

Tricks are often just a matter of linking many commands together. For example rolling over starts as "down", Play dead or BANG , and then finally roll"OVER". The wave starts as a "sit", then "shake" a paw, then hi-five and finally "wave". The real trick is to hold the food in the right place. WHERE THE NOSE GOES THE DOG GOES. Training is a matter of timing . The concept of clicker training or target training is to reinforce a random behavior to happen on command. Conditioning your dog to relate the word GOOD DOG with a reward is basically the same idea.

CAUTIONARY NOTE

These methods are designed for puppies and may work on well adjusted adults. If you have a dog with aggression or dominance issues I would recommend a different approach to training. Best to find an experienced trainer in your area to work through problems.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

First of all dogs don't think like people, its part of their appeal:) They notice things that we are completely unaware of like smells, sounds, possibly even air pressure and electrical energy (storm approaching). Even the way they see is different. Dogs are instinctive creatures, meaning certain behaviors occur without thought. Don't be surprized when a scent breed wonders off following his nose. OR a herding breed jumps into the middle of a herd of cattle, he has not likely sat back and thought of the pros and cons or the best approach, he just knows he's got to do something. He is driven to it. A dog is subject to pack drives, prey drives, food drives, sex drives. Dogs also have their own system of justice, it may not appear too merciful or fair to us. This is why it is important to think about why a dog is doing something before you decide how to deal with it.