*Not yet completed, but here's the video*
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Canine Quiz
Hey all...
I just made a short, but fun 13 question quiz. Figure out what breed(s) of dog you could possibly be.
Post your thoughts as comments and let me know what breed you are.
Click HERE to take the quiz!
I just made a short, but fun 13 question quiz. Figure out what breed(s) of dog you could possibly be.
Post your thoughts as comments and let me know what breed you are.
Click HERE to take the quiz!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Your input...
Hello one and all. Instead of posting a new command or trick for you to learn and share with your dog, I would like to put the leash in your hand, metaphorically speaking.
Please leave a comment or two on this post. I'd like for your comment to consist of the following elements:
1)Your Name and Your Dog's Name
2)The Most Common Obedience Difficulty You Have That I've Yet To Address
3)A Picture of Your Dog
For example, I would leave my name(Brandon) and my dog's name(Amos), the biggest obedience obstacle we run into is a the "STAY" command, and I'd leave a picture of him.
With enough feedback, I will make a post in response to the most popular problem people seem to have with their canine compadre.
Your input will be greatly appreciated!
Please leave a comment or two on this post. I'd like for your comment to consist of the following elements:
1)Your Name and Your Dog's Name
2)The Most Common Obedience Difficulty You Have That I've Yet To Address
3)A Picture of Your Dog
For example, I would leave my name(Brandon) and my dog's name(Amos), the biggest obedience obstacle we run into is a the "STAY" command, and I'd leave a picture of him.
With enough feedback, I will make a post in response to the most popular problem people seem to have with their canine compadre.
Your input will be greatly appreciated!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Speak to me...
PREFACE: This feat is not really for obedience. It is more of a trick. An excuse for your dog to earn a goody. Everything else we command of our dog is for a purpose. This is just for fun
3 Essential for this trick...
Your hand doing a motion that will look like this to your dog
A treat
Your dog
End result...
3 Essential for this trick...
Your hand doing a motion that will look like this to your dog
A treat
Your dog
End result...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Lay down...
3 essentials for performing this command...
A flat hand
This is the most effective gesture for getting your dog to lay down. Loosen those joints because when you give this command, you'll need to start with your hand held high but then it will swoop down to about your waist. Your hand will go from high to low, as if it is changing levels. Just like your dog will be doing. Makes sense, right?
A treat
As I stated before, nothing puts the ball in your court, yet at the same time makes a level playing field like an extra special treat. Again, I recommend Charlee Bear brand dog treats. These treats should be especially reserved for training.
A dog
Same as before. Dog obedience works best with actual dogs. A good dog is preferred. Just kidding, they are all good dogs.
Going through the motions...
Sit down... YOU, not your dog! Sit flat on your butt and raise your knees as high as they can go, thus creating a triangular shape with your legs. Your dog will now have a little overpass to crawl under or a tunnel to go through, if you will.
Here's what to do from this point on.
With the treat in your grasp, place your left hand right underneath your left leg on the ground. With your dog on the right side of you, vocally give the command of "down" while you are simultaneously giving the hand gesture and making light of the treat that you have. Basically, your dog will notice the treat on the opposite side of your body and a bit lowered down. He or she will eventually figure out that they need to go under your legs to get it, creating a "down" command. With your continued patience, enthusiasm, and consistency your dog will catch on sooner than you might think.
Confused? Here is how it should look!
A flat hand
This is the most effective gesture for getting your dog to lay down. Loosen those joints because when you give this command, you'll need to start with your hand held high but then it will swoop down to about your waist. Your hand will go from high to low, as if it is changing levels. Just like your dog will be doing. Makes sense, right?
A treat
As I stated before, nothing puts the ball in your court, yet at the same time makes a level playing field like an extra special treat. Again, I recommend Charlee Bear brand dog treats. These treats should be especially reserved for training.
A dog
Same as before. Dog obedience works best with actual dogs. A good dog is preferred. Just kidding, they are all good dogs.
Going through the motions...
Sit down... YOU, not your dog! Sit flat on your butt and raise your knees as high as they can go, thus creating a triangular shape with your legs. Your dog will now have a little overpass to crawl under or a tunnel to go through, if you will.
Here's what to do from this point on.
With the treat in your grasp, place your left hand right underneath your left leg on the ground. With your dog on the right side of you, vocally give the command of "down" while you are simultaneously giving the hand gesture and making light of the treat that you have. Basically, your dog will notice the treat on the opposite side of your body and a bit lowered down. He or she will eventually figure out that they need to go under your legs to get it, creating a "down" command. With your continued patience, enthusiasm, and consistency your dog will catch on sooner than you might think.
Confused? Here is how it should look!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Sit... good dog!
3 Essentials for performing the sit command...
A fist...
This is the preferred physical gesture for eliciting a "sit" from your pooch. Think of the Black Panthers notorious salute. Every command we ask of our dogs is accompanied by a physical gesture, which is best suited for the hand. Our dogs are used to our hands for many other forms of attention (such as being pet, scolded, or being handed a biscuit, so it is their natural inclination to look to our hands for direction
A treat...
If you were performing hard work or were producing a task that was a a result of something you don't necessarily want to do, wouldn't you expect to be compensated? Same principle applies here folks. We want to be payed as thanks for our work, and since we can't monetarily reward our dogs, we should compensate them the most sensible way; with a treat. I prefer you make this treat extra special, something aside from the every day biscuit or kibble that your dog already receives. Give them that extra incentive! I recommend Charlee Bear dog treats. They provide a taste Amos is wild for and they are all natural. I'm sure you can find them at Petco or a local store near you.
Keep this treat sealed away tight in your free hand and you will most certainly keep your dog's attention. If they know that there is an extra incentive to work for then they will most certainly to what it takes to get a taste. Make sure to only reward them with a treat once the action has satisfactorily performed. It's simple... you need to reward the action being performed, not anything else, because then your dog will think he/she is being rewarded for something other than what you are looking for. It's positive reinforcement! Accompany the treat with a pet or rub and lots of cheery, vocally pleasant praise.
And a dog...
I have found from previous experiences that canine obedience yields the best results with a live action dog. Cool...
Going through the motions...
Okay, I have found that this task is best performed close to a wall. Make it known to your dog that you have a treat in your hand, to capture their attention and appetite. Your talk will be much more willing to work with you. Every time you say "sit" say your dog's name first, as if to say "You, yes I am talking to you."
Now, hide the treat behind your back and don't let them perceive it again til the task is complete. Stand tall over your talk and in one simultaneous effort clearly state your dog's name,make the fist (signifying "sit") and hold it high but still within their line of sight, and clearly say sit. This might take several attempts... stay patient and calm. If your dog detects anxiety or frustration, they will pick up on it and lose focus.
Earlier I mentioned being close to a wall. Here's why! If you dog is physically not responding to your command, you should continue to hold your fist and take small, but authoritative steps toward them. Basically, back them up to the wall, if you have to. By now, you will have your dog sitting. Knowing that you still have a treat and that there is still something in it for them, they will want to see what happens and not take off.
Once the result happens, reward and praise! Just be consistent with your physical gestures and voice commands, and your dog will be on par in very little time.
End result...
*Good owner!*
A fist...
This is the preferred physical gesture for eliciting a "sit" from your pooch. Think of the Black Panthers notorious salute. Every command we ask of our dogs is accompanied by a physical gesture, which is best suited for the hand. Our dogs are used to our hands for many other forms of attention (such as being pet, scolded, or being handed a biscuit, so it is their natural inclination to look to our hands for direction
A treat...
If you were performing hard work or were producing a task that was a a result of something you don't necessarily want to do, wouldn't you expect to be compensated? Same principle applies here folks. We want to be payed as thanks for our work, and since we can't monetarily reward our dogs, we should compensate them the most sensible way; with a treat. I prefer you make this treat extra special, something aside from the every day biscuit or kibble that your dog already receives. Give them that extra incentive! I recommend Charlee Bear dog treats. They provide a taste Amos is wild for and they are all natural. I'm sure you can find them at Petco or a local store near you.
Keep this treat sealed away tight in your free hand and you will most certainly keep your dog's attention. If they know that there is an extra incentive to work for then they will most certainly to what it takes to get a taste. Make sure to only reward them with a treat once the action has satisfactorily performed. It's simple... you need to reward the action being performed, not anything else, because then your dog will think he/she is being rewarded for something other than what you are looking for. It's positive reinforcement! Accompany the treat with a pet or rub and lots of cheery, vocally pleasant praise.
And a dog...
I have found from previous experiences that canine obedience yields the best results with a live action dog. Cool...
Going through the motions...
Okay, I have found that this task is best performed close to a wall. Make it known to your dog that you have a treat in your hand, to capture their attention and appetite. Your talk will be much more willing to work with you. Every time you say "sit" say your dog's name first, as if to say "You, yes I am talking to you."
Now, hide the treat behind your back and don't let them perceive it again til the task is complete. Stand tall over your talk and in one simultaneous effort clearly state your dog's name,make the fist (signifying "sit") and hold it high but still within their line of sight, and clearly say sit. This might take several attempts... stay patient and calm. If your dog detects anxiety or frustration, they will pick up on it and lose focus.
Earlier I mentioned being close to a wall. Here's why! If you dog is physically not responding to your command, you should continue to hold your fist and take small, but authoritative steps toward them. Basically, back them up to the wall, if you have to. By now, you will have your dog sitting. Knowing that you still have a treat and that there is still something in it for them, they will want to see what happens and not take off.
Once the result happens, reward and praise! Just be consistent with your physical gestures and voice commands, and your dog will be on par in very little time.
End result...
*Good owner!*
READ ME FIRST!!!! (NECCESSARY TUTORIAL)
Before you can begin any semblance of training your beloved dog, there is a certain amount of footwork you, the loving and responsible owner, must undertake.
1) Before you can even attempt to instill obedience into your dog, you must make certain that your dog is tired. Just like a misbehaving child, if you exercise them, it will help to diminish the physical and mental capacity to act up. Same principle applies, a tired dog is a more attentive dog. They will not have the same facilities as before. I want you to make your dog not quite dead tired, but more dog tired, shall we say?
2) In addition to thoroughly exercising your dog prior to any attempt at obedience training, you'll need to keep him or her hungry. A hungry dog is an attentive dog. Using treats as a reward to a hungry dog (in addition to vocal confirmation and a gentle, affirming pet) is like giving a hungry man some very faint appetizers, with the potential for a full on meal to follow. Chances are he will want to see more and see if this samples will lead to bigger and better things. That is the illusion you'll want your dog to have.
3) CONSISTENCY! If you are not consistent with your training procedures, the result will reflect in your dog. Whatever gesture, word, body language or any other signifier you use (though I recommend my methods) to elicit a behavior, please make sure it is productive and most importantly make sure it is consistent. If you use the word down to make your dog lay down, then don't make the common mistake of saying "down" in order to make your dog get off of somebody or something he/she has jumped up on. Use the the command "off" instead. A confused dog is an in-attentive dog.
Now we are on a level playing field, please enjoy this video...
1) Before you can even attempt to instill obedience into your dog, you must make certain that your dog is tired. Just like a misbehaving child, if you exercise them, it will help to diminish the physical and mental capacity to act up. Same principle applies, a tired dog is a more attentive dog. They will not have the same facilities as before. I want you to make your dog not quite dead tired, but more dog tired, shall we say?
2) In addition to thoroughly exercising your dog prior to any attempt at obedience training, you'll need to keep him or her hungry. A hungry dog is an attentive dog. Using treats as a reward to a hungry dog (in addition to vocal confirmation and a gentle, affirming pet) is like giving a hungry man some very faint appetizers, with the potential for a full on meal to follow. Chances are he will want to see more and see if this samples will lead to bigger and better things. That is the illusion you'll want your dog to have.
3) CONSISTENCY! If you are not consistent with your training procedures, the result will reflect in your dog. Whatever gesture, word, body language or any other signifier you use (though I recommend my methods) to elicit a behavior, please make sure it is productive and most importantly make sure it is consistent. If you use the word down to make your dog lay down, then don't make the common mistake of saying "down" in order to make your dog get off of somebody or something he/she has jumped up on. Use the the command "off" instead. A confused dog is an in-attentive dog.
Now we are on a level playing field, please enjoy this video...
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Introduction
Just now in the formative works, this blog was created as a resource for anybody who is looking for general canine obedience. Originally, I wanted to dub this project Dog Training For Dummies, but hopefully anybody who wants to take the time and effort to train their dog is no dummy. Remember, some stereotypes are true: we train ourselves to understand our dogs, more than we actually train our dogs and a healthy dog is a happy dog.
I plan to have a video to demonstrate all the techniques and methods I will cover, and as the title would suggest, my dog, Amos, will be my model.
My goal is to cover some general principles (exercise, patience, and consistency to name a few) that are the basis for seguewaying into elementary commands for you and your dog. You'll know how to solicit a sit, down, stay, speak, and many other commands all with having any physical contact with your dog, except to pet them as a reward.
More to come soon!
I plan to have a video to demonstrate all the techniques and methods I will cover, and as the title would suggest, my dog, Amos, will be my model.
My goal is to cover some general principles (exercise, patience, and consistency to name a few) that are the basis for seguewaying into elementary commands for you and your dog. You'll know how to solicit a sit, down, stay, speak, and many other commands all with having any physical contact with your dog, except to pet them as a reward.
More to come soon!
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