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2011 TopDogClub.com
The command tone conveys authority and firmness. It is the tone to be used to get him
to do something Come, Heal, Sit, Down, or Stay.
The praise tone is a cajoling one. This is used when you are showering praise Good
boy/girl, good sit, good come.
The corrective tone conveys in no uncertain terms the word NO. It is such that it is
apparent that you will brook no nonsense what so ever. It is quite similar to a growl that
the mother dog may emit when a pup misbehaves.
Do not change the voice that you use at any time. If you are consistent your pet will comprehend
clearly what you want done.
The ideal sequence is - command, demonstration, and praise. Once a dog has learnt a command
or trick the sequence is: command, correction, and praise.
Some common dog commands are: Heel, sit, stay. Down, Come/Here, Stand, Retrieve, Fetch,
Jump, Go out, Track, Guard. Bite, Out/Let Go, Speak/Bark, Narcotics/Dope, Find Narcotics
Building/Blind Search, Kennel/Crate, Go Outside, Go Ahead, Go Inside, What is Going on, Good,
No, Dont Do that OK, Eat Food Helper stand Still Article Search, Leave It, Friend.
You will be extremely successful if you:
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Koehler Method uses a heavy hand and compulsion. Extremely harsh with a strong
emphasis on physical correction and discipline introduced after something has taken
place.
Lure Training, is popular and uses toys and treats as temptations to the dog to obey
commands. Do as I ask and here is a treat is the method. It is a motivational method to
teach commands using voice as well as hand signals. Recommended for puppies, timid
dogs, as well as aggressive/difficult pets.
Play Training, is a motivational method that incorporates play as well as prey drives.
Target Wand Training, uses non-force training methods and is very useful as a training
tool.
With signals, voice commands, and focus mastered both you and your pet are ready to enter the
magical exciting world of tricks.
2011 TopDogClub.com
13 BENEFICIAL TRICKS
Repeat until he learns that all doors that are open can be shut with a push.
At first you will have to be around soon when you say shut door he will shut it for you.
FETCH
2. If you teach your pet to fetch then you could get him to fetch the newspaper/slippers for
you.
Basic Fetch needs you to:
a. Put your dog on a long leash.
a. Catch his attention by waving before him his favorite toy or ball.
b. Once you have captured his attention throw the toy some distance away.
c. Excited he will run towards it. At that very moment shout, fetch.
d. Once he has his toy/ball in his mouth urge him to come to you.
e. If he does not respond gently pull him towards you using the leash.
f.
Pet him and praise him when he reaches you, encourage him to drop the toy/ball at your
feet. Please do not initiate a tug of war game by trying to pull/remove the object.
g. h. If he does not respond for quite a while offer him his favorite treat --he will drop the
object.
h. Immediately pick it up and repeat the exercise once again.
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He will bring his head down to take the treat give him the treat as soon as his head
touches his paws.
When he obeys reward him with praise/treats and stay with him for a while.
2011 TopDogClub.com
Soon you will have a willing helper one who will help pick up toys, dirty laundry, socks and so
on.
SHAKE TO DRY
12. If you live in a region where it pours you will find that your dog will shake himself dry each
time he gets drenched use this to your advantage.
a. When you see him beginning to shake say rock and roll.
b.
Soon he will associate the ringing of the alarm as a time to jump on the bed with you.
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FUN TRICKS
These are tricks that are pure fun. They are entertaining
and generate a laugh among the family and friends.
I M SO EMBARRASSED
Many of us have thought Scooby Doo as cute when he
covers his eye with his paw. Here is how you can teach
your dog to do the I am so embarrassed look.
a. Ask your dog to come and sit in front of you.
b. Next blow air /a water spray gently in front of his
face (in the direction of his ear).
c. He will instinctively raise his paw to protect
himself (of course he may also retreat/run away).
d. Repeat and when he raises his paw say hide.
e. Soon he will master that when you say, hide he must cover his eye with his paw.
Guess what you have a Scooby Doo, in your home.
COUNT
Most of us have been to a circus sometime in our lives and have cheered when a dog/horse has
counted accurately. Here is how:
a. This requires that your pet has learnt to speak and to modulate his bark.
b. You must perfect the hand/head signal that you intend to use.
e. Place a number of treats/objects in front of your pet.
f.
Then command him to Count, at the same time you must signal the pet to begin
barking.
g. When he barks out the number of treats placed before him signal him to stop barking.
h. Repeat the exercise over a period of time and if the dog has mastered your subtle
commands then he has perfected the signals which you can then do as unobtrusively
as possible.
PLAY DEAD
a. Command you dog to down.
b. When he has obeyed signal your hand in a rolling motion while turning him around
say roll over dead as you turn him.
c. When he is on his back push his paws gently inwardsrepeat dead several times
d. Next rush him to his feet saying alive simultaneously.
e. Praise him lavishly and give him a treat.
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A variation is jungle Joe crawling through tunnels and other objects such as ditches dug under
fences.
Just as dogs can count they can also speak.
SPEAK
Put his food dish in front of him but withhold it until he barks.
a. As he barks say speak and use the hand signal simultaneously all the fingers of the
hand should touch the thumb.
b. With practice he will bark when ever you signal him to.
Dogs have learnt not just to bark but sing you must play a simple tune and signal when you
need him to bark. Dogs quickly learn the rhythm and scales.
Spin uses the natural instincts of the dog:
a. Hold a treat up in the air just out of reach of the dog.
b. Now move the treat so that the dog follows your hand and moves clockwise in a circle.
c. While moving say spin.
d. Once a turn is complete give, the treat to the dog and praise him.
e. Repeat until he responds to the command spin without a treat.
f.
The dog will dutifully follow your finger and after a while just your command.
g. After a while you can introduce spin left and spin right and spinning in the figure of
8.
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Soon you will be able to ask him to kiss children, visitors, and others.
MATHEMATICIAN
The dog must know how to speak and to speak when you signal (the signal should be only
noticeable to your dog), like a nod or tapping of your foot.
a. Practice until the dog preempts your signal and responds by barking.
b. Praise and treat him well when he responds.
c. Look at your dog and say what is 2+2 and execute the signal to make him bark four
times.
d. Vary the routine with other single digit numbers.
e. Your dog will not just add but subtract too.
AGREE
Ask your dog to sit.
a. Hold a treat out in front of him just above his head.
b. Say dont you agree and move the treat up and down such that the dogs head nods as
his eyes follow the path of the treat.
c. When he does so give him the treat.
d. Repeat several times a day.
e. Soon the dog will nod his head when you say dont you agree.
TISSUE
a. Hold a tissue box in front of your dog with a tissue pulled out partially.
b. Encourage him to take it. Once he does learn, say achoo each time.
c. Soon he will learn that if you say achoo he must take a tissue out of the box and bring it
to you.
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it
f.
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g. Practice and soon he will be able to find you anywhere in the neighborhood, in the park,
while trekking.
A toy that needs him to use his mind is the Buster Cube it is based on get the treat out of the
box principle. It is a sturdy plastic cube filled with kibble.
a. Give the dog a Buster cube.
b. He will have to use his intelligence to find out how to get at the kibbles.
c. The cube has to be turned this way and that for the kibble to be teased out bit by bit.
d. It stimulates his curiosity and mind.
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CO-ORDINATION TRICKS
MOST DOGS EASILY SIT UP WITH THEIR PAWS IN THE AIR AND BEG.
You need to:
a. Sit the dog up in a corner.
b. Hold his head with one hand and using his collar place him on his rump.
c. As he rises remove your hand from the collar and place it under his front legs.
d. Uses the command: sit up several times during this exercise.
e. Soon he will sit up when commanded then you could use hand signals along with the
voice command.
Once he masters sit he will execute the command anywhere in the middle of the room, in the
yard, or garden.
2011 TopDogClub.com
g. Soon you can ask him to jump over your arm or through a hoop formed by both your
arms.
Large dogs can begin with a height of eighteen inches with the trainer jumping over first or
leading the dog on a lead. The height can be gradually increased.
2011 TopDogClub.com
Soon he will be a master ball player using his nose/top of his head to return the ball.
g. Soon with treats, praise, and practice your dog will be able to weave in and out of your
legs.
ALL OF US HAVE SEEN DOGS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR LIKE ATHLETES
PERFORMING FLIPS.
Here is how:
a. The dog must be familiar with the Frisbee as well as catching.
b. Use short tosses to warm him up.
c. Then place a toss to the left/right of the dog just above his head. This will induce him to
move in the right direction.
2011 TopDogClub.com
To progress to downthat is once the dog is up command down. The dog should
down until you command him to, off.
g. One can also teach the dog to u-turn, on the table. Use a treat in front of the dog and
move your arm such that the dog follows the treat.
Once the dog has learnt one can vary the height of the jumps.
2011 TopDogClub.com
Some dogs are afraid of down help him over come his fear by leading him gently
down and show him how easy it really is.
TEACH HIM DOG WALK WHICH IS SOMETHING MANY DO NATURALLY-WALK ON LOW WALLS.
a. Place treats low down on the plank.
b. The dog must focus on the walking surface.
c. Hold his collar with one hand and the hand holding treats in front of his nose (just
touching it).
2011 TopDogClub.com
Well now that you have a jumper in the house you can extend his repertoire by teaching him to
Log jump:
a. The logs are placed in a pyramid so that the jump is both long and high.
b. Take him a short distance away and command: jump logs .
c. Most dogs who love jumps will just sail through.
d. Praise/treat him for listening.
BALANCING A BOOK:
a. Choose a book of suitable weight/size.
b. Balance the book on the head of your dog.
c. Hold the book on the head of the dog and say stay.
d. Slowly remove your hand count to three and remove the book.
e. Release the stay and reward the dog.
f.
Repeat and increase time and then ask the dog to walk with book on the head..
2011 TopDogClub.com
Repeat and then give just the command he will obey and back up even if you are not
moving towards him.
Next stand up and say walkboth of you should be able to walk side-by-side
understanding completely each others needs.
g. Once you have set a comfortable pace you can try run.
h. With the wind in your face and your pet by your side the whole world will flash by.
i.
Before approaching any cross roads or traffic signal ask him to slow and then
gradually sit
j.
Teach him that one has to stop at signals to watch out for on coming traffic before
proceeding.
If he runs along without a murmur pulling the bottles along then you must have a helper
run alongside the dog with a cart. And every now and then gently bump your dog with
the poles of the cart to see if he will object or get used to it. Praise him lavishly every
step of the way and give him treats.
g. If all goes smoothly then he is ready to pull the cart. And to enjoy the activity.
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OLFACTORY TRICKS
TO TRAIN YOUR DOG TO FIND LOST OR HIDDEN OBJECTS YOU NEED TO:
a. Allow him to smell the object.
b.
Then whether in the house or in an open field take him on a lead and while walking
drop the article he has smelt. It could be just about anything, bunch of keys, tobacco
pouch, handkerchief, toy, dumbbell, or glove.
c. After you have covered a distance command fetch or find and retrace your steps
until you come to the object.
d. Once he gets the idea you must repeat the exercise without a lead.
e. Always while giving him the command to fetch/find gesture with your arm in the
direction of the article.
After a while your dog will be able to pick out what belongs to you from a mixture of articles of
all kinds. Some dogs learn quickly and will fetch any object belonging to the master and such
dogs can be trained to fetch different objectskeys, shoes and so on.
INSIDE THE HOUSE TOO, YOUR DOG COULD USE HIS SENSE OF SMELL TO
FIND A HIDDEN OBJECT.
a. Show the dog a strong smelling treat.
b. Allow the dog to see where you are hiding it example under a cushion a few feet away.
c. Allow the dog to smell the scent of the treat on your hand and say find it.
d. Reward the dog with the treat when he finds it.
e. Next move the location of the treat from under the cushion ad ask him to find it.
f.
g. Once he has learnt what to do one can use objects such as keys, toys, and books to ask
him to find/retrieve.
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YOUR PET CAN PLAY A GAME WITH YOU AND YOUR KIDS GUESSING WHICH
HAND.
a. Place a treat in one hand while the other is empty.
b. Call out to your dog and ask him to sit in front of you.
c. To begin with use a helper who will hold out the closed hands and say which hand.
d. You should wait until your dog smells the treat and starts nudging the fist with the
treats.
e. Then hold his front leg and place it on the hand with treat.
f.
As soon as he does so, say good boy and give him the treat.
2011 TopDogClub.com
FAQS
1. What is a clicker?
It is just a small plastic box that contains a metal spring inside which when pressed, makes a
click click sound.
2. What age should a dog be for training?
Well any dog between the age of 6 months and 13 and more years can be trained. There is no
reality to the statement My dog is too old. Neither dogs nor human are too old to learn it just
needs willingness.
3. Should a choke chain be used for training?
Never ever use a choke chain it is cruel. Only a flat comfortable collar
4. My dog is lovable but he chews at almost anything when left alone?
There could be many answers to this. Your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. If you
need to be away get him used to it slowly. First try it by confining him to a crate, putting on the
radio or television to keep him company and reassure him that you will be back. Leave the room
and return after a while. He will be happy to see you. If he has been good say good boy and
hug/pet him. Often putting his favorite toy/chew bone in the crate with him helps. With practice
he will get used to spending time alone. Once he learns not to chew/soil your house he can be
left free.
Another thing we must remember is that a dogs permanent teeth come when they are 7-9
months old and are loose. Dogs set them into the jaw by chewing in the wild dogs would have
chewed not just bones but tree barks. In nature he would not be reprimanded for what comes
natural to him. Please refrain from punishing the dog it does not improve matters only leads to
aggression problems.
5. How can I teach my 8-month-old puppy to become a therapy dog?
Well your puppy could become a therapy dog if he is well behaved and calm and obeys basic
commands such as sit, down, stay, and come, and so on. He should also be comfortable among
strangers and not excitable. It would be nice if your dog would allow himself to be petted, shake
hands when asked, or offer a kiss/lick, to the sick person. There are organizations such as AAT
(Animal Assisted Therapy, AFT Animal Facilitated Therapy and Delta Society among others
who are actually involved in animal therapy work and would be able to guide/answer any
questions/doubts you may have. You will have to at first get your dog evaluated for personality,
temperament, and behavior. Then you must get your dog accustomed to the unusual sights,
sounds, and smells of a hospital/convalescent home. Also you must be certain before you take
the step as it is a commitment for both you and your pet. The easiest way to begin is to join a
group organized groups will be able to provide you with information in great detail and also
evaluate your dog for group visits and help you with insurance.
6. My dog has been potty trained but he still has accidents. He will lift his leg and pee in
certain areas. He has been fixed he is let out every two hours and does potty outside. So
why is he doing this what should I do?
Well remember your dog has some inborn instincts and one of these is to mark territory
repeatedly. Dogs will choose areas within a home/yard/road to pee and leave their scent for
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My life span is around 15 years or so It would be nice to be a part of your family all my
life.
I am only dog and cannot read your mind please give me time to understand what you
are saying.
Dont be angry and punish me by locking me up or tying me up. I have only you while
you have family, friends, and work.
Talk to me, share your feelings I will always be there for you.
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Remember I can bite and even crush the bones of your hand but I dont as I love you.
A few, 5-6 jumps made of PVC. These can be set to the height your dog needs. They are
useful for directional and distance work. Two jumps put together will make a spread
hurdle.
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Wave poles, around 12 these have many purposes. They can be staggered, used as
ground lines at jumps, or as a pause box.
A dog walk, which is an up, ramp and down ramp hinged together over a sawhorse. It
helps contact skills with minimal space.
A tunnel of some sorta trash can with its bottom sawed out.
By using a leash and collar from around 3 months. It will help you stop the dog from
pulling and dragging you around.
With food feed twice daily. Teach the pup to sit while you put the food down no
jumping/barking. Treat him for obeying you.
By using a crate as a training tool. They are safe havens and prevent the pup from
creating mayhem.
By showing love and companionship. Both these help the dog find a place in your home,
feel secure and wanted.
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A crate the size should be suitable for a dog that will grow.
A baby gate.
Dry foodpreferably the same brand as the one used by the breeder.
A place where the floor is washable so that the puppy mistakes do not ruin the
flooring/carpet.
A schedule for the dog that incorporates: exercise time, play time, peace time, feeding
schedules and on.
Training tips.
When you call your dog and then do something he dislikes like give him a bath or cut his
nails.
When you call him and immediately put him in the crate and leave the house.
When you call come and then lunge towards him to catch him.
Surprise him he will look forward to what you are going to do give him a
treat/toy/praise/play with him.
Use positive body language: crouch down, clap your hands, and smile.
To show him that calling does not put an end to exercise/play time sometimes allow
him to return to what he was doing.
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A long line.
Gardening gloves.
Pooper scooper.
Water bowl.
A bag of treats.
Allergy medication.
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PARTING WORDS
Well our minds have opened now to so many aspects that concern our pets. Most of us who are
dog owners know that a pet is a responsibility and not a fashion statement. Having a pet spells
commitment in a zillion ways. And the key to the mystery of a happy home that is harmonious is
a trained pet and a committed owner.
Training does not have to be a drag or bore. Today training includes music, trick training, sports,
agility, and more. A little secret is that, it s not just your dog who benefits from those long walks,
Frisbee/ Flyball games and so on -- you as the owner will discover a disease free lifestyle
where diabetes, heart disease, arthritis are all stories one hears about but does not suffer from.
Trick training is a wonder world that has many possibilities one can perform at parties,
schools, adoption centers, orphanages, hospitals, convalescent homes, geriatric homes and
more. It brings smiles to the faces of people and joy into their hearts -- happiness heals.
Further all these activities will open up your world and you will not just make friends you will
feel that there is a purpose to everything.
And, the wave of the trick training wand has thrown away for posterity the problems your pet
hadboredom, chewing, digging, barking, soiling what are those. We are busy well-mannered
people.
As the curtain comes down your pet takes a bow:
a. Say good and give your dog a treat as soon as you se him stretching.
b. Ask him to stand on his hind legs.
c. Place a tasty morsel on the floor.
d. As soon as your pet makes a movement towards the food say good.
e.
f.
Soon he will respond you must of course introduce the word bow.
And the maestro of tricks takes his final bow to the world of tricks.
2011 TopDogClub.com