From the Desk of Sharda Baker

Good day and welcome everyone!

This is Sharda with another potty train newsletter.

Here we go!

Now that your dog is a pro at basic dog obedience training, he can begin advanced obedience training!

If you need to spend one, two, three, or more months on the basic training, then by all means, do so.

It will be much better for your dog’s self-confidence if you train slowly and consistently, than quickly and randomly.

But, there will be a point when your dog is ready for the challenge, so let’s begin!




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THE "WAIT" COMMAND AT THE FOOD BOWL

In the previous chapter, your dog learned how to wait at a doorway or curbside. Now, you will teach him how to wait at his food bowl. With the temptation of his favorite kibble right in front of him, he will need to learn patience!



Give the “sit” command and then say “wait” while simultaneously placing a treat on the floor in front of him. If your dog goes for the treat, remove it quickly and say “wait.” After a couple seconds of waiting, praise him and release him with “ok” and let him have the treat.

Practice this exercise several times and then increase by one second. Repeat several times and then increase by another second. Continue this until he can patiently wait for 5 seconds before getting a treat.

Now, once he has succeeded with treats, let’s apply the same exercise with his food bowl. Hold the food bowl and say “wait.”

Lower the bowl to the floor and if your dog moves towards it, remove the bowl quickly and say “wait.” After a couple of seconds waiting, praise him and release him with “ok.”

Practice this training exercise for every meal that you give him. If he starts to jump at the dish while the bowl is in your hands, try the treat exercise again.

THE "LEAVE IT" COMMAND

The “leave it” command is different from the “wait” command. “Leave it” means you don’t want your dog to go near something. “Wait” as you recall, means a temporary pause.

You will want to use the “leave it” command if there is something on the floor that you don’t want your dog to go near, such as food, a pill, broken glass, etc.

To practice “leave it,” put a little distance between you and your dog and place a treat on the floor in front of you. If your dog starts to move toward the treat, cover it immediately with your hand or foot. Once your dog stops, say “yes” and give him another treat from your hand.

Your dog should get the idea that if he looks at you, rather than go for the treat, he will still get a treat! Once he has the hang of that, start saying the command “leave it” right when you toss the treat on the floor.

Your dog will learn that “leave it” means come to you—not go for the treat. If your dog avoids the treat on the floor by looking at you, looking away from the treat, or turning his head in the opposite direction, give him verbal praise and a reward. Let him have the treat by saying “take it.”

With a lot of practice, your dog will be able to resist touching anything!


WALKING ON THE LEASH: THE RIGHT-ABOUT TURN

By now your dog is comfortable walking on a leash. Now, we’re going to advance his walking capabilities.

The right-about turn is a 180 degree turn that you would do walking in a straight line, then turning around to walk back. It is a good idea to do this right-turn about often when walking, so he knows that you are leading the way.

As you approach your turning point, switch the leash from your right hand to your left hand. This way, you can pat your right leg with your right hand. Make a sharp turn as you pat your leg. You may need to give the leash a slight tug as you turn.

Keep the leash loose at all times. If you pull on it, your dog will pull away. Practice this several times. Once he has the hang of it, start adding the command “turn,” “heel” or “pivot” as you pat your leg and make the sharp turn. Praise him immediately. Then you can return the leash to your right hand.

Practice the right-about turn often when you are walking your dog and keep him on his toes!

WALKING ON THE LEASH: THE RIGHT TURN

The right turn will be very easy for your dog once he knows the right-about turn. The only difference between the two commands is that this is a 90 degree turn, whereas the right-about was a 180 degree turn.

As with the right-about turn, sharp turns work better than slow and wide turns. When he turns correctly, praise him.

WALKING ON THE LEASH: THE LEFT TURN

The left turn is usually easier for dog owners because they can keep the leash in the right hand at all times. When you are ready to turn, grab the leash with your left hand, slightly tug the leash backing line with the dog’s spine, while pivoting on the ball of your left foot towards the left, and bring your right foot around and continue walking. Then, let go of the leash with your left hand.

It is important to keep on walking and not stopping when you step around with your right foot. As your dog sees you turn your body, his body will follow. If you accidentally step with your left dog first, you might step on his paws.

When your dog correctly turns consistently for several times, start adding the command “turn,” “heel” or “pivot” as you are about to turn. Always praise him when he turns correctly.

I hope that you learned a lot from today's dog training newsletter.

All the best and take care

Warmly,