There are only four things you need to teach your dog. Master these four skills if you want a fully trained dog.
Sit
Most dog owners can get their dog to sit for a second or two but if you want to master the command, teach your dog that ‘sit’ is more than a quick trick. A dog that will stay put while you open the oven, answer the front door or wait to cross the road is a safe dog you can take anywhere.
Mastering the sit means your dog will sit instantly, stay sitting without needing further commands like ‘stay’ or wait’, and they will not move from the sit until you give them permission.
If you teach your dog to sit patiently for something that will make it worth their while, they will enjoy sitting for minutes at a time in anticipation of the praise or reward that comes their way for doing such a good job. If you want a well trained dog, teach them that sit really does mean sit.
Heel
Going for a walk with your dog should be a fun and peaceful part of your daily routine, but a dog that pulls can make their daily walks feel like a chore.
A dog that masters walking to heel will eagerly stick by your side and match your walking speed every step of the way, even in the presence of other dogs.
Dogs are perfectly happy sniffing or running around on the same patch of grass for an hour or more, so don’t take your dog for a walk for their sake. Those long scenic walks on a summers evening are for you, not the dog. Teach your dog how to walk to heel before you start taking them for longer walks, and if you can’t wait until then, feel free to go for a nice long walk on your own and leave the dog at home. Better yet, never take your dog for a walk – always take them out to teach them something. If you spend an hour training your dog outside your own house, your dog won’t care that they didn’t get to clock their 10,000 steps for the day or take in a beautiful sunset along the beach. Those nice long walks with your dog can wait until your dog has learned to walk without pulling.
Recall
Whether you need to get your dog back under control in an emergency, or it’s just time to go back home after playing off lead, the recall is the most important skill to teach your dog. Teaching your dog to reliably come to you under any circumstances is by far the most satisfying and rewarding skill to teach your dog. A reliable recall can save you from embarrassment. Even good natured and super friendly dogs can cause a serious nuisance if they are allowed to invade the personal space of nervous dogs, dogs in training, guide dogs, small children and other members of the public who are afraid of dogs. A reliable recall can also save your dog’s life if they might otherwise be tempted to chase livestock, run into roads or disturb horses. If you only teach your dog one thing, teach them to come back to you on command.
Retrieve
The retrieve is optional, but highly recommended. Most dogs love a game of fetch, and teaching your dog to retrieve a toy, a tennis ball or a dog training dummy is an excellent way to bond with your dog. Adding some retrieving to your training sessions makes the whole thing super exciting for your dog. You might even be able to teach your dog to bring you certain things from around the house, or to bring things they pick up on a walk straight to you so you can decide if you can let them carry it or if you need to take it off them for their own good. I’ve never bought any tennis balls but my spaniel has amassed a large collection, all recovered from the tall grass and brambles that line our favourite walking routes.
Wyre Walkies 