Pet talk

By Maneka Gandhi

In this week’s Pet Talk, Maneka explains how to teach dog a few commands

Can you teach me how to teach my dog a few commands?

1. Come: The ‘come’ command is a useful tool for managing annoying puppy behaviours. This command helps keep a dog out of trouble, or gives him a job to do.

If he escapes the fenced yard or bolts out an open door, the ‘come’ command can also save his life.

This foundation skill is one that the two of you will use, and refine, for the rest of his life.

How to teach ‘come’?

1. Clip a light line to your dog’s collar and let him drag it around; 2. After he is accustomed to the line, pick up the end and hold it as you follow him around the yard. As he gets used to this, he’ll begin to understand that the two of you are attached; 3. With your marker word in mind — “Yes” — and a few treats, walk backward, encouraging him to follow along. When he twirls around and comes toward you, say “Yes!” and treat. Tell him that he’s the cleverest dog in the world; 4. Begin to pair the behaviour with the word “Come.” Every time he responds correctly, praise and reward him. Make the ‘come’ command a game that your puppy wants to play.

Don’t get in the habit of yelling “Come come come come” multiple times if your dog does not respond. Once your dog understands the command, if he does not come the first time you ask, go to him and gently guide him to where you want him to be. If you stand in the yard, or at the door, and holler repeatedly, he either doesn’t understand the command yet, or you are expecting too much too soon. Never call a dog to come and then hit him or scold him. If so, you will teach him to associate the command with a negative consequence. If your dog is behaving badly, always go to him rather than calling him to you.

Stay: The ‘stay’ command is one of the hardest for puppies, and young dogs, to master. Asking a dog, who only wants to sit on his owner’s feet, or lean against her while she is in the kitchen, to stay put in another area is almost asking too much! Like the other basic commands, however, the ‘stay’ is a lifesaver. A dog, who is taught to stay, won’t chase a duck in a pen, or charge a cow in a field. The dog who understands ‘stay’ can also go on to more advanced obedience or rally competitions. The goal with ‘stay’ is to teach your dog that his job is to remain right where he is until given further instructions.

How to teach ‘stay’?

1. Put a leash on your dog and have him sit comfortably next to you; 2. Wave a flat palm toward his muzzle and say “stay”; 3. Step in front of your dog, wait a few seconds, and then step back beside him; 4. Reward him for not breaking his stay; 5. If he moves, calmly say “Oops” or “Uh uh” and put him back where he was initially. Again, give the ‘stay’ command along with the hand signal; 6. Practice this multiple times every day, in different locations. After rewarding him with praise and a treat for success, teach him a release word, or the word you will say when it’s time for him to be released from the stay. A good release word is “Okay.”
2. Down: The ‘down’ command is a good management tool that helps keep dogs out of trouble and out from underfoot. This behaviour is often difficult for many dogs to learn, because it’s a submissive posture. A shy or fearful dog might have more trouble learning or performing a ‘down,’ so go slowly while teaching this skill.

Use a happy voice, lots of praise, and good treats while training.

How to teach ‘down’?

1. Hold a very tasty treat in your closed hand and place it at your dog’s muzzle; 2. When he notices the scent of the treat, move your hand toward the floor. He should follow the hand that hides the treat; 3. While the dog’s head follows your hand, move your hand along the floor in front of him. His body will follow his head, and once he stretches out into a “down,” open your hand to let him eat the treat; 4. Repeat multiple times daily and pair the behaviour with the word “down.”

If your dog lunges toward your hand, say “Nope” and take your hand away before he can get to the treat. If he tries to sit up, break away and start again. Never push him into a ‘down.’ Clever dog that he is, your dog will try everything to get to the treat. He’s showing effort and should not be punished for thinking. Encourage every little bit of progress until he understands the command. After a successful attempt, always release your puppy from the ‘down’ and run off to play with him.

1. Walk nicely on leash: A dog who doesn’t lunge or pull at the end of his lead, shows your neighbours and friends that you have trained him to be a good member of the community. Additionally, a puppy who walks attentively next to his owner is less likely to become fearful in new situations. Your puppy has already begun to learn the ‘come’ command on leash and to understand that the leash connects the two of you. It’s time to begin to train him to walk politely and calmly by your side.

How to teach ‘Walk nicely on leash’?

1. Attach his leash to his buckle collar and say “Let’s go” using your happy voice. Put treats in your left side pocket or a bait bag; 2. Encourage his forward motion by patting your left leg. When he is close to your side, pop a treat in his mouth; 3. Every few steps stop to praise him for being in the correct place; 4. When he forges ahead or lags behind, stop to let him wander to the end of his leash; 5. The slight leash tension will cause him to turn around. As soon as you feel the slack in the line, say your verbal praise marker: “Yes!” Praise and treat when he bounces back to you; 6. When he pulls, practice the “be a tree” principle, stopping all motion. His unwanted behaviour will self-correct. Wait him out if he doesn’t come back to your side.

Loose-leash walking takes a dedicated owner, who allows her dog to make mistakes and has the patience to teach him the proper behaviour. Once your puppy can walk on a loose leash, begin to pair the behaviour with the ‘heel’ command. This means “stay close to my left leg whether we are stopped or walking.” Take a few steps with your dog in the heel position, treat and praise. Practice, practice, and more practice are required to teach your puppy this command.