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Show By Carrie-Ann Shaw The training commands dealt with last week in Pet Corner were heeling and sitting. I have received feedback from some pet owners that applied some of the suggestions for training. They have obtained some positive results. I'm still in the process of teaching my dog Buddie to let me walk him, it's a bit comical at times because I think he thinks he needs to walk me as he pounces down the street trying to pull me with him. The words "heel" and "sit" are gradually sinking in though. I think Buddie's basic nature as a cocker spaniel is that he's a bird dog. He doesn't really walk or run, he pounces and bounces and loves open fields. But for his sake, mine and neighbors, I want him to learn to be able to be comfortably leashed and out in public. It's beautiful to see Buddie and RC Loop run and play in the tall grasses, chasing butterflies, and whatever else tickles their curiosity. Buf I've seen too many animals in the street that are running loose or have been hit by traffic. This is why I stress the importance of training. It gives animals a chance to learn good behavior that may save their lives. This week we'll cover the commands com-mands of "down" and "stay". These commands come in very handy many times over. First, the comand "down". When a dog is commanded "down", he must immediately drop to lying down position. He must do this whether, at the moment of command, he is heeling, heel-ing, sitting, standing, running or walking. Have the dog sit at your left side. Drop to your left knee. With your left hand gripping the leash close to his collar, col-lar, give it short, sharp jerks downward. Say "Down" "Down" "Down". Repeat this procedure again and again. Some dogs will fight this lesson, and the trainer must be persistent with many repetitions. If your dog is stubborn, stub-born, refusses to go down, use your right hand to pull his forefeet out from under him while giving him the verbal command and jerking downwards on the leash. . It helps to give the verbal command repeatedly, even during the time the dog is actually down. He can't hear it too often while he is learning. With this command, as well as with the command sit, unless you order him to stay, he must instantly get up and heel when you start to walk away. This exercise has a depressing effect on most dogs, so it is well not to keep at it for a very long time. Be sure to give your pet plenty of praise and encouragement en-couragement when he does a good job, not, however, when he is in the down position. Then he should not be petted by anyone. If you do, he'll want to get right back up. In teaching this command, vary your routine and don't always give various commands in the same order. As soon as he knows down, give him the command at times other than when he is heeling. You want this command com-mand to be obeyed instantly no matter mat-ter where the dog is or what he is doing. The next command, stay, may be given while the dog is standing, sitting or lying down. At the command he should remain in the position he held when it was given. Put your dog on his short leash. Command him to go down. Tell him to stay. Walk around him, keeping the end of the leash in hand, but do not tighten up on it. When he starts to get up, say "No, stay." Back away from him; go sideways from him; step over him. Each time he starts to get up, repeat "No, stay." Each time he tries to follow you when you walk away from him, you must command him to go down again. Soon he will stay while you walk to the end of the short leash, while you walk around him, or even while you jump over him. You will have to try all -V ' - f ' ;i i 1 P .:. A WHITE MALE terrier-mix can be adopted from the Uintah Uin-tah County Animal Shelter by calling 789-5601. of these if you want to make a good "stayer" out of him. After he has made considerable progress, pro-gress, vary the routine by having him sit while you repeat the procedure. When you feel he is proficient when worked on the short leash, start work with the long one. Put the dog down at your side. Wad up the surplus length of leash in your hand and throw it out away from you. Command him to stay, repeating the words several times. Turn and walk to the free end of the leash. If he rises, rush right back and make him go down again. Repeat the command stay and walk away once more. Your immediate objective is to be able to walk to the end of the long leash, pick it up, turn and face the dog for a few minutes, while he remains re-mains quietly in position until you call him to you,. Work on this until he will stay in this way. To have him stay while you are completely com-pletely out of sight, pick a quiet room and put him down. Order him to stay and leave the room. Watch him, if possible, through a crack in the door and, if he shows signs of getting up, go to him and repeat the command. Don't hesitate to use the word stay again and again. At first, leave him for only about one minute. Then, as he improves, gradually increase the time you stay away to around ten minutes. Each time you come back and find that he has obeyed your order, have him sit and them praise and pet him. ( Praise the dog for good work in obeying the stay command only after he has been released from it.) To continue these lessons, take him out of doors, put him on his long leash and fasten this to a tree or post, restraining him from wandering away. Tell him to stay, then go out of his sight and find a spot where you can observe his actions. Repeat the same procedure you used indoors. Take care that he does not chew the leash or otherwise misbehave while he is alone. If he does, it calls for a very sharp reprimand. This exercise, making your dog obey you even though you are apparently not around to enforce your will upon him, is very important. The effect it has on the dog is to make him more obedient to all commands. He will get to feel that you know everything he does and that he must obey every order. I encourage you to try this training ....let me know how it's turning out if you like. Just write: Pet Corner, P.O. Box 33, Vernal, Utah 84078. Attention: Carrie-Ann Shaw. |