Today's Lesson Featuring Sheldon: How to Teach Your Dog to Sit or Lay-Down

Hello Leapers,

A few days ago we worked with this cute, adorable, and very intelligent 7-month old Bulldog, Sheldon. Sheldon's curriculum will be based on AKC's S.T.A.R. Puppy to create a positive and reliable training experience with Sheldon's family. On today's lesson, Sheldon learned "sit" and "down".

How to teach a dog to sit.

Yes, all dogs know how to "sit," but do they know how to do it when commanded or asked? To get Sheldon to "sit" we shaped, rewarded, and conditioned the wanted behavior; in this case, butt on the ground with front shoulders at an upright position. A marker, such as a "yes," clicker, or "good" was used as soon as his bottom touched the ground to let Sheldon know that he had done exactly what we had asked from him. This marker was previously conditioned with a reward (food/toy) to help Sheldon make the association between the wanted behavior and our cues (such as the word "sit" or our hand gestures to signal the behavior). This way whenever he hears his marker he will know that everyone is extremely pleased with him and he is getting something fun, yummy, and exciting for being such a good doggy thus helping the dog repeat the behavior again when the cue for "sit"is given. 

The sequence of behavior should be as follows: “Spot, (wait 2 seconds) sit”; this means: stop whatever you are doing, look at me, and then sit. Note: dogs should maintain their “sit” until otherwise told they are released. This exercise will be repeated each time by increasing the wait time between the "sit" position and the release (2 seconds, 5 seconds, 15, 30, 45 seconds and so on…). Dogs should leave their “sit” only when told “OK” “ALL DONE” or “Release." 

Teaching a dog to "sit" on command can be a quick and easy way to redirect a dog's attention and get their focus back on you. It is a simple command that can go along way. For instance, maybe you're talking with a friend and instead of having your dog pull, move, jump you ask the dog to sit. Surprisingly enough, teaching a dog "sit" can make your dog look like a well-mannered gentleman or lady while out in public. 


How to teach a dog to lay-down.

Same as with teaching a dog to "sit," all dogs know how to lay down. I mean, they lay down on the bed, carpet, floor, grass, and of course on our couches even when we don't necessarily want them to be there. However, we want to teach our dogs to lay-down on our cue because it helps dogs calm down, relax, or even get petted by a small child.

To mark and reward the wanted position, you should wait for the dog's chest and hind to be completely on the ground before marking and rewarding. Difficulty will be increased by increasing time (2 seconds, 5seconds, 10, 20 seconds, 50 seconds and so on…).  The chain will go as follows: “Spot, (wait 3 seconds) down”. This means: stop whatever you are doing, look at me, lay down, and still look at me and nothing else.  The dog must maintain their position until release cue is given: “OK” “ALL DONE” or “Released."

When to use "sit" and "lay-down."



Once the dog has learned these behaviors, do not be afraid to ask them to perform them at any time for any reason even if the dog just wants to sniff the grass. Other ideas of when to practice "sit" and "lay-down": before crossing a sidewalk, before feeding, before walking out the door, before entering a room, before being petted, before greeting another dog (if your dog is dog friendly), before entering a car or exiting a car, and before getting hugs from you. 


Overall, teaching the basic commands are fun, and easy. However, getting the reliability with distance, distractions and durations can be stressful.  If you would like for a trainer to visit your home and help with your dog's basic obedience needs please visit Leap Dog Training. 

Love,

www.leapdogtraining.com
leapdogtraining@gmail.com 

Today's Lesson featuring Dash: How to Train Your Dog with Distractions

Dash training with distractions. 

Hello Leapers,

We recently had the pleasure of training with Dash. Dash, whom we introduced to you before, is working on his basic obedience, but now we are adding distractions to everything he knows.

How do we add distractions?

Before adding distractions we needed to make sure that Dash understood what was being asked and expected of him. We first worked on his cues [sit, stay; watch me, down] in a quiet place. Once Dash learned and understood his cues, we moved to different locations.

When moving to new locations, we must remember that the dog will get confused and he will lose a bit of focus. Well, instead if putting Dash right in front of the distractions we started him about 20 feet away. A safe distance where we know he would succeed. If he succeeded in performing the exercise, just like we practiced in the safe place, we would move closer to the distractions. Of course we rewarded him with praises, yummy treats or by moving away from the distraction.

What do we do if the dog cannot focus?

If your Dog has difficulties performing his cues in the presence of a distractions start again from the beginning. Work on his behaviors in the safety of your house and then slowly transition the dog outside. There's no reason to get frustrated.

Where are the best places to train your dog with distractions?

One of our favorite places to train with distractions is at the skatepark. We ways start 20 ft away and as the succeeds we move closer; if the dog loses focus we regather and start again at 20 ft.

We also love the kids' playground, basketball courts, the outside fence of a school, busy times across the street from a school, and sometimes the outside perimeter of a dog park.

Anyway, these are some ideas and with Dash, we worked by the kids' playground and basketball court.

How do you help your dog to train with distractions?

Love,
LEAP!

Meet Dash: Training with Distractions

Hi! I am Dash and I am learning a lot. 

Good Day Leapers,

This evening we had the pleasure of working with a cute little fellow named Dash. Leap has been meeting with Dash for a few weeks now, but today we tested his recall/come when called with high distractions... At the dog park.

How do we do that?

Well, we make it into a game. You see, sometimes, we humans only call our dogs while at the dog park when WE are ready to leave. Of course, the dogs are never ready to leave because they're having way, way too much fun. The trick is to be creative.

Here are some ideas:

1. Run away from the dog. That's right! If you become the most fun interesting item at the dog park then then your dog is sure to follow you, run after you, and come to you. Do this very often while your dog is at play to try to get their focus back on you.
2. Reward/Praise your dog. Remember to reinforce your dog whenever he/she comes near you, stops by, or even looks at you. This will ensure that the dog is paying attention to you. Yes, we didn't ask them for anything, but don't we want them to do this all the time? You know, come to us? So, this is a good way to shape it. Reward behaviors you want, even if not asked.
3. Practice. Always practice at home or outside of the park first with a leash before adding all these distractions.

Anyway, these are just some quick, easy tips. I'm sure you guys have some really good ones: how do you guys get your dogs to come to you while at the dog park?

XOXO LEAP!

Note: every dog is different and not every dog likes dog parks. Please make sure you know your dog very well before taking them to an off leash dog park area. Dog parks can be fun for some, but very stressful place for others.