Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Heel

WHAT IT IS:
A dog at heel walks at the handler's left side. When the handler stops the dog automatically sits.
  1. With your dog on a loose leash at your left side, say "heel" and wlk forward, stepping first with your left foot. This step will later become your dog's signal to heel. Always give the verbal command firs, before starting your motion
  2. When preparing to stop, slow your gait, plant your left foot, and bring your right foot up to meet it. Pull up on the leash and say "sit"

Monday, November 10, 2008

Speak

WHAT IT IS:
Your dog barks on cue.
  1. Observe what makes your dog to bark- For this example We have a bigger dog she barks at. Go near Heidi and cue her to bark when she does tell her good bark. Repeat this around six times
  2. Continuing in the same session, give the cue but not near Heidi. You may have to cue several times to get a bark. If your dog is not barking, return to the previous step.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Doggy Push-ups

WHAT IT IS:
With paws planted, your dog does push-ups by alternating between lying down and standing up.
  1. With your dog lying down at your side, command her to "stand" while luring her up and forward with a treat.As soon as she rises, praise her and give her the treat.
  2. If your dog does not respond to the food lure, use your foot to gently prod her under her belly. Reward her for standing.
  3. Stand directly in front of your dog, alternating a stand and a down cue to produce push-ups. Use the hand signal as well as verbal cue for each action. Now drop and give me twenty

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Take it

WHAT IT IS:
Take It is when your dog takes an object within reach into her mouth.
  1. Select a toy that your dog enjoys and playfully hand it to her while giving the verbal cue.
  2. Have her hold it only a few seconds before removing it from her mouth and trading a treat for it. As your dog improves, extend the time she holds the object. Only treat if you remove the  toy from your dog's mouth, not if she drops it on her own.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Crawl

WHAT IT IS:
Your dog crawls forward, sliding her belly on the floor.
  1. Your dog will be more willing to crawl on a comfortable surface such as grass or carpet. Put your dog in a down , facing you. Kneel on the ground and show your dog a treat hidden under your hand about 18" in front of her.
  2. In a drawn-out voice tell her "crawl" as you slowly slide the treat away from her. She will hopefully take a crawl step or two with her front paws in an effort to follow the treat. Allow her to get the treat, while remaining down.
  3. Once your dog is able to crawl following the treat, try standing several feet in front of her with the treat exposed under your foot. You may have to alternate saying "crawl" and "down" while she makes her way toward your foot. Your lifted tow will later become your dog's signal to crawl, keeping her attention low to the ground.