Of course you want to keep your dog safe and one of the best ways to insure this is to teach him the command “Come”. After you have achieved a loving relationship with this delightful creature, teaching him this behavior is not going to be a difficult hardship. Your being in control of his freedom is one of the kindest things you can do for your best pal.

If your dog has been adopted or previously trained by another owner prior to a safe relationship being established, then this process may be a bit more difficult. But you must realize that your dog needs your guidance and, no matter how far away he is from you, he needs to understand that he must obey your “Come” command whenever it is given.

Using a long line attached to your dog’s collar is the quickest way to teach him to obey the “Come” command. You will be in complete control of his behavior and it won’t matter whether he is four feet away or 14 feethe must “Come” when you call. As the line is dragged along the surface, say his name and follow it up with “Come.” If he doesn’t obey (as he probably won’t the first few times), just give a quick tug on the line. Be gentle, he’s trying to learn. Continue with this procedure until he responds immediately. At this time, you can substitute a leash for the line. Most dogs will accept this new command within a week.

Controlling your dog’s behavior should never be harsh or painful. Using the word “No” is another command that can be taught in a gentle manner. He has to understand the association between the word “No” and any unwanted behavior. A great method of teaching him this new command is to attach a long line to his collar and place some food in the area where you are training. Of course, he’s going to run to the food. Once he does this, say the word “No” and give a light correction on the line. He now has an association.

Correcting your best buddy will soon become a non-issue because he fully understands that when you use the word “No,” you mean what you say. Obeying you is something he wants to do anyway and he will understand that this instruction will be pleasing to you.

Incorrect behavior after training is not that uncommon. You dog could simply be confusedor he could be testing you. Just be gentle but consistent. Every dog is a bit different and will respond in a different manner to commands. Above all, keep your sessions short and exercise patience. Treat him to some free time afterwardstoss a ball, go for a long walk together, and just have fun. Give him lots of pats and praise. You will be rewarded with a bonded friendship that will last forever.

The “Sit” and “Stay” commands are the primary components that you will need to master in training your dog. Bring fun into the experience by introducing him into this behavior with a gentle but firm approach, and you will have paved the way for future training that will be greatly rewarding for you both.

Having a dog that is difficult to control or just wants to have too much fun indicates that you need to use the Gentle Manipulation method to train him to sit. First of all, be sure that your dog has a defined place..elevate him on a step, a table or a porch. At all times during the training, his collar must have a leash attached to give you complete control.

Gently rock your dog into the sitting position by placing one hand on his back near the base of his tail and say “Sit”. Then use the word “Stay”. Praise him profusely and affectionately reward him with pats and strokes. Continue this training until he begins to sit without too much manipulation from your hand. Soon, he will know to sit before you even touch him and just as you speak “Sit” to him. His cue will be your voice saying “Sit”.

Using treats to train your best buddy to sit is a highly recommended method for most dogs. It’s very simple. Again, elevate your dog, pass a treat 3 to 4 inches over his head, gently approaching the tail area. It’s only comfortable for him to sit in order to watch this tasty treat. When he does this, simply say “Sit”. After several repetitions, remove the treat but use the same method and say the word “Sit”. He has just accomplished learning this new command and should be appropriately rewarded.

After your dog has mastered Sitting and you have now taught him to Stay, don’t make the mistake of calling him to you and rewarding him. Reward him in the Stay position. Calling him to you and then rewarding him for Staying gives your dog no reason to stay at all. Be sure to be consistent with rewarding him at the proper time.

Training your dog should be fun. Keep the training sessions short, only 2 to 4 minutes each. Otherwise, he may become bored or restless. And make sure you have an absolute goal in mind prior to the training session. And whatever else you do, end each session on a positive note. Make sure your little guy is a happy one.