Echo is going on his 3rd week of puppy training and so far is doing GREAT! This post may be updated as we learn new training commands.
With covid-19, it was difficult to make the decision of training one-on-one or waiting until things got better to start doing puppy socializing classes. Because Echo was in his prime age for training, we opted into doing the one-on-one sessions. I know that big store training has been looked down upon in the past for having trainers that aren't very good, but I don't agree. Petco was one of the only options for training during covid and to be honest, we're very happy with our trainer! He's done so well with Echo in the short time that he's been training him and my mind is blown every time I see a completely transformed dog in our sessions.
Below you will see some of the training commands we've learned so far and if you need more detail, please use Google as I'm not a professional source.
Training treats are a must! You'll need quite a few of them, so make sure that you buy some that are easy on your pup's digestive system.
- SIT -
With a treat in your hand, close your fist and point your wrist to the ceiling. Hold your fist over your pups head which makes him look back and forces his butt to the ground. Say "sit" (obviously) and give him the treat once he is fully seated. Be careful with lunging... don't reward him if he lunges for your hand. Also, follow-up after the treat with "good boy!".
- SIT PRETTY - (or what I'm calling the bear)
Echo did this automatically, but essentially you want your pup to sit back on his hind legs and lift his front paws off the ground (which then makes him look like he's a bear). Usually if you hold your hand over his head like you would for "sit" and then lift up slightly, it'll make him go up on his hinds. It's pretty cute, but Echo does get confused between "sit" and "bear" often.
- DOWN -
This one can be a struggle and so far I only get Echo to go down when I have a treat in my hand. It'll definitely take a lot of practice, but essentially you just want your pup to lay down. From the "sit" position, say "down" and lower your hand to the ground, forcing your pup to lay on his belly. So far I haven't been able to get Echo to do it without leading him, but it'll come to him one day.
- WAIT -
By far, this one is my favorite. It tells the pup that he needs to back off, but not forever. Just at the moment. Telling them to "wait" just let's them know that they can't have what they want YET, but they eventually can. I use this one quite often with our cat, whenever Echo charges Beau. He immediately backs off the cat and comes to me for his treat. Place a treat in your hand and close your fist. Hold it near your pups face and say "wait" and then let him sniff out your hand, trying to get to the treat. The first few times, he will be pretty persistent and want that treat, but you can't back down. He may bite and nibble at him, but stand your ground! I usually say "Echo wait" and after he finally realizes that he won't get to the treat in my hand and backs off, sitting down and waiting, I'll give it to him. This one definitely takes practice and eventually you should be able to get to the point where you can set the treat down, tell your pup to wait and he won't move until you tell him it's ok to have the treat. Once you can get your pup to understand the word wait means to back off, you can try putting the treat on the ground and caging it with your fingers. It's a little harder because not only can he smell the treat, but he can see it, but eventually he will back off and then you can let him have it. Another method learned recently is by putting the treat in your flat palm and lowering it to the ground. If he goes after the treat, lift your hand. I know it'll seem like you're teasing him, but he is learning PATIENCE. Eventually he will stop going after your hand and that's when he gets the treat. A little more difficult, but it mentally exhausts them which is exactly what a puppy needs.
- LEAVE IT -
This is one of the most important commands as it is probably one you will use a lot. Jumping up on the counter, going after something he shouldn't, trying to eat rocks or other items. "Leave it" is a good command to tell him not only to back off, but that he CANNOT have what he wants. Use something desirable, like a big cookie, but not something you will ever give him. Keep a training treat in your left hand while holding the no-touchy-item in the other. Tell him to "leave it" and do the same as with "wait". Keep holding on to that treat and DO NOT let him get to it... eventually he will back off, but instead of giving him the cookie, give him the training treat. Try caging the cookie with your fingers on the floor and once again, don't let him get it. Say "leave it" and once he backs off, give him the training treat. A slightly more difficult one is putting it under your shoe, make sure he doesn't get it and again when he backs off, give him a training treat.
- STAY -
We just started learning this one, but I'm excited for the results it'll produce. This training command is going to eventually teach Echo that when I leave, it's ok. Right now, he goes nuts and cries when I leave a room because he thinks I'm abandoning him. With "stay", it'll help him realize that I may be leaving... but I'm coming back eventually. Start by making your pup "sit" and then use your hand and make a stop motion in front of him and say "stay". Look around, but not at him, and count to 10. If he doesn't move, then toss a training treat by him and say "free". You can choose your own release word, I just chose something that was easy to remember. After he's stayed sitting without pouncing on your for the treat, up your wait time a little bit at a time until he sits still for as far as you can push him. Once you're confident he will stay put, try doing the same "stay" with the hand motion and turn your back on him. If he doesn't move, toss a treat and tell him "free". Once you are confident in this one... use the same motion with your hand and tell him to stay and then try walking a few steps away from him. If he doesn't follow you, he gets a treat! Keep practicing this one until he will sit still for one solid minute. Our trainer says that one minute is the threshold for a pup to start realizing that if he just sits still, he gets food. What's better than food without having to do anything?
- LOOSE LEASH WALKING -
We are just starting to work on this one, so I'll have more to update on this one later!
Until next time!
Jana
(follow us on Instagram for daily pictures! @hearts_4paws)
*All posts by this blog are my personal opinions and experiences. Please consult with a Veterinary or Trainer when it comes to professional advice.
