Teaching basic commands?

Montyforever

Montyforever

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2009
Messages
5,706
Location
Kent
Visit site
Barney seems to understand his name (selective hearing though :rolleyes:) But he doesnt know any other commands. Dont want to over face him now so when he lies down ive been saying "lie down" and he seems to be getting it a bit now :)

Can anyone suggest some tips to get him listening to me a bit more?
Thanks in advance! :D
 
Find out what he really, really wants and get him to work for it. Smelly cheese, tuna, liver, chicken - all these could work for him. Or maybe a favoured toy will be his thing.

As you get to know one another and bond he will listern to you more as well - it is still early days after all. So don't worry too much!:)

Try getting him to sit before you put his food bowl down - have a small treat in your hand, and hold that by his nose, then lift your hand up, while running your other hand down his back and applying very gentle pressure to his bottom. As his nose goes up, the bottom goes down, as the bottom hits the floor you say 'sit' then praise and give his his reward - his dinner and the little treat in your hand.
 
I would start off by using the food to guide him backwards into the sit (food high over his nose, moving it backwards, saying 'sit'. As time goes on, if he doesn't hit the floor immediately, then use the hand on the bum.
Don't nag him - if he learns to avoid 'sit' the first time, then put him in it with the hand as time goes on, or else you're going sit...sit...sit...sit and he will learn to ignore you.

With down, from the sit, with food, guide him out long and low onto the floor into position. It can be tempting to push down on the withers, but don't do that unless you have to.

Also don't say 'down' to get off the furniture, say 'off' so as not to confuse him.
 
Another way to teach the down (which I had to use with Mr Stubborn Spaniel:rolleyes:) is to kneel on the floor with one leg straight out to the side, then use food to tempt them under your outstretched leg. They have to lie down to fit under and get the treat and it is less confrontational than pushing down, which some dogs (Mr Stubborn Spaniel) resist with all their might:rolleyes:
 
When i was little i taught my dog some commands (sit, lie down, paw, hi5, dance, etc) I was about....12? to make him lie down i made him sit then i picked up his front feet and carefully lowered him into the down position. It worked :rolleyes: For sit i gently pushed his bum and said "sit" and rewarded with little bits of treats :)
 
numptynovice said:
For recall issues with stubborn spangles, I can recommend my training brick:

images.jpg


Throw it as hard as you can and your dog will stop instantly :D
Click to expand...

Haha! I shouldnt laugh, Barney has no recall at all! You stand there going ..

Barney, barney, baaaarney ..wait.. barney, BARNEY! come here Barney .. no leave the rabbit food alone BARNEY!

My neighbours must be having a right laugh! :D
 
I'd use a command like 'here' or 'come' rather than putting his name in all the time, it will deaden it to him.
You know what 'come' or 'here' means, he doesn't, it's not an ingrained thing, it's a learned thing.

You can also attach a trailing line when he is out and about and if he doesn't come on the first command, pick it up, give it an encouraging tug or reel him in to reinforce the command, don't give him the option of ignoring you, or else he will ignore you.
 
CaveCanem said:
I'd use a command like 'here' or 'come' rather than putting his name in all the time, it will deaden it to him.
You know what 'come' or 'here' means, he doesn't, it's not an ingrained thing, it's a learned thing.

You can also attach a trailing line when he is out and about and if he doesn't come on the first command, pick it up, give it an encouraging tug or reel him in to reinforce the command, don't give him the option of ignoring you, or else he will ignore you.
Click to expand...

Oh i didnt think of a long lead thats a good idea :) Thanks!
Just tried him with a bit of cheese and hes really nervous to take food from my hands, but really likes the cheese and did sit after a few minutes so far so good
Thanks everyone :D
 
My dog trainer said when you're teaching recall you should call your dog 50-100 times a day (or basically as often as you can! lol!). When you are sat at home keep some cheese next to you and every now and then say "Barney come" and get him to come over and then give him his reward.

He'll soon get the idea that that phrase means good things!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top