dog training... the basics

[sandypaws]

a month or so back i said i would start a thread on "how to train" dogs... anybody can jump in and give their opinions or techniques.. it seam we have several people here that need help so lets get this started...

every dog is different.. some will respond better to less correction (soft dogs) and other dogs you have to give hard corrections to (hard dogs).. untill you know what dog you have we start with soft corrections and build up...
you also need to know what your dog will "work" for.. food rewards,, verbal rewards or just to get done with the training still alive...
in GENERAL
soft dogs are breeds like... poodles, bordercollies,
hard breeds are like... akitas, terriers, spitz,

food rewards.. i trained my poodles with chopped up hotdogs (small breeds should not get this)
cheeese, freezedryed liver,,,, whatever you use make it small about the size of a penny or dime..
COLLARS.. soft breeds start with fitting flat collar or training collar AKA choke chain,, there IS a right way and wrong way to put it on a dog!!!
hard breeds need fitting "choke chain" or pinch collar...
and a 6 foot lead... for "recall" (coming when called you will need a LONG line aprox 25 feet,, a cloths line works well...

 

[sandypaws]

SIT.... to teach a sit show dog "cookie" firmly say SIT and take hand with cookie and raise it above the dogs head, slightly pulling up on the collar... if the dog sits give cookie and PRAISE dog "good dog"!!..
if dog does NOT sit.. ask again but physically push down on the dogs butt forcing it into the sit.. "good dog" and give cookie.. walk a few stepps and repete untill the dog understands
do NOT NAG the dog... if you say "SIT" and the dog does not sit.. then saying sit 20 times will not help...
we are working for ONE word and a response for that one word..

i will try to find or get pictures.... to go along with all of this..

 

[azelgin]

The most helpful thing I learned about dog training, was to teach them to bark on command. Then, when you want them to stop barking, they know what you are trying to tell them.

 

[sandypaws]

DOWN.. or laydown...
easy to start with a sit..... from the sit.. ask dog "DOWN" with cookie in hand, put foodhand down to the ground,, with other hand pull down on leash.... if dog lays down "GOOD DOG" and give cookie...
same as SIT.. if dog does NOT "down" then ask only ONCE and push dogs shoulders to the ground... some dogs will resist the down because it show sumbission,
**dominant dog will not want to submit so be carefull if you have to force the dog into a down**

practice SIT and DOWN.. try to make it FUN for you and the dog.. most dogs will want to "play" and learn if you make it FUN...

 

[sandypaws]

recall... AKA coming when called....
you need your longline.. you can start with your 6foot leash and work up to the longline if you wish...
and i will use the name FIDO just because i dont know ALL your dogs names..

put dog on leash and walk around the yard a bit,,let the dog get to the end of the leash(or at least a good 10 feet), when the dog takes its attention OFF of you... say "fido COME"!!! in a HAPPY girly kinda way, at the same time give a quick yank on the line and then reel the dog in, pulling the dog all the way to you... some people run/move backwards while reeling in the dog because it engages the dogs preydrive and the dog will want to "chase" you.. when the dog gets to you praise praise praise dog and give cookie..
repete repete repete....
a "hard breed" dog you may have to yank the line VERY hard, possibly pulling the dog off of its feet,,, at least the first few times..

 

[Zahboo]

If anyone has tips on training a hunting dog, we've aquired one, but she doesn't know the sit stay come thing yet. I know I have to have basic and intermediate obedience down, and have her respect, but then what?

 

[sandypaws]

it really depends on WHAT you want her to HUNT...

tracking or scent discrimination???
rodents or coons???

 

[Zahboo]

coons...

 

[redhen]

well cool ! free dog training lessons! they go for $200 where i live!..

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
find another coon hunter to run with..coons will kill a single dog pretty fast..best to hunt them in packs..