Basic obedience training explained

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DEAR PAW’S CORNER: You often mention that owners should spend time with their dogs in basic obedience training. What are “the basics” exactly? – Ferris T., Huntington, N.Y.

A: While the specifics of basic obedience training for dogs are better detailed through books or by professional trainers, I can list these training requirements here.

• Housetraining: The most basic and most important to you and your dog’s peace of mind. Teaching a new dog where and when to eliminate, and training yourself to keep a proper schedule, is a crucial initial step.
• Heel: Your dog should walk calmly alongside you, and not struggle against the leash, pull you down the street or chase after birds, cars or other dogs.
• Sit: A well-trained dog will sit on command. When training on the leash, have the dog sit on your left side.
• Down: The dog should lie down (on his belly, paws forward) on command.
• Stay: In the “sit” or “down” position, the dog should not move until you release him with a verbal command.
• Come: At your command, the dog should come to you, or respond to further directional commands (such as tugging the leash right or left to signal a turn).

That’s essentially it: five basic commands and housetraining. It doesn’t sound like much, but teaching a dog of any age these skills will take at least several weeks, if not months. And they must be taught correctly: no hitting or yelling, maintaining dominance over the dog. Training books provide many more details on effective ways to do this, while a professional trainer can demonstrate additional effective techniques to ease the basic training process.

Remember that basic obedience training doesn’t stop once these skills have been learned. Dogs need regular reinforcement, even if it’s just a five-minute review during their daily walks.

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