For a short-coated dog, buy a flat
collar. For a long-coated breed, use a round collar that does
not catch the hair. You can place a collar on a very young puppy
if the collar is not so loose that it will slip over the head.
Let your puppy wear the collar a few times, until it seems comfortable.
Then attach a leash. Let the dog drag the leash for a few minutes
everyday for a week. Don’t let it chew the leash. Keep the dog
busy with a bone or ball while it wears the leash.
After a week of these collar and leash lessons, pick up the
leash, call your dog’s name, and run slowly. Don’t stop, even
if the dog stops. Keep running slowly and call its name. When
it comes with you, praise it. Keep these lessons short. In a
few days, the dog will come with you without balking. The secret
is to keep moving even if your dog stops. A little dragging
will not hurt if the collar is not too tight.
When your dog is leash trained, teach it to heel at your left
side. Wait until it runs behind or ahead of you. Then pull it
quickly to your side, saying “Heel!” Hold the leash short and
walk rapidly for a few minutes. Soon you can bring the dog to
heel by giving the leash a short jerk instead of pulling, and
repeating the command.
To make your dog sit, stop it at your side and push its hindquarters
down, saying “Sit!” Repeat this lesson until it learns to sit
without the downward push.
For “Down!” push the hindquarters and shoulders down until
the dog is lying in its stomach and chest. You may need to gently
pull the front legs down at first.
When the dog sits and lies down perfectly, move away from it
as far as the leash will permit. Hold your hand toward it, palm
down and say “Stay!” If the dog moves, return it to the sitting
position and repeat “Stay! Stay!” This lesson takes some time
for most dogs to learn.
When your dog is about 6 months old and has learned to heel,
sit, lie down, and stay with the leash on, you can repeat these
lessons without the leash. Stand about 4 meters away from the
dog and give the commands. if the dog does not perform the lessons
correctly, put the leash on and repeat them. If it does, reward
it with a puppy biscuit and praise.
Dogs like to chase objects. In their wild state, they must
chase rabbit and other animals that are their food. It is easy
to train your dogs to chase a ball. Use a harder rubber ball
that is too large for the dog to swallow. At first, toss the
ball a short distance and say “Fetch!” After a few trials, your
dog will bring it to you to throw again.
