Training

Puppy Training

Your puppy may get into a bit of trouble now and again, but remember, you're his hero, and he lives to please you. Use praise to bring out the best in him.

Sit
Place a food tidbit in your closed fist and hold it in front of your puppy's nose. Pass your fist toward the back of your puppy's head as you say "Sit." As his head goes up and back to follow the treat, he should sit automatically. Repeat this exercise until your pet learns to sit at the command. Don't forget to praise him when he does it. (That's his real reward!)

Stay
Start with the "Sit" command. When your puppy obeys, praise him, but don't give him a treat. Instead say "Stay," as you step back and give him an open hand signal. Then immediately give him the treat. Repeat the process, increasing the distance you step back from your puppy. Go only one step at a time. Don't forget the praise!

Down
After "Stay," your puppy is ready to learn "Down." Start by giving him the "Stay" command. Then as you say "Down," take a food treat in your hand, place it in front of his nose, and pass it down to the floor. Your puppy will follow the treat and lie down. You can soon teach your puppy to "Stay" in this position, just as he learned in the sitting position.

Come
After "Sit," "Down," and a "Stay" where you can walk at least 10 steps away, your puppy can learn "Come." Give him the "Sit" (or "Down") and "Stay" commands. Take five steps back, whistle, say your puppy's name and "Come" in an excited tone of voice. When he obeys, praise and reward him. Never call your puppy to scold him. Responding to "Come" should always be positive.

Why he's safer on a leash
A leash is essential to protecting your puppy throughout his life. Even if you think your puppy will always come when he's called or will stay by your side, you can't anticipate what's around the corner. An aggressive dog, a toddling baby, a squirrel - any of these could throw your puppy off his game. So use the leash. You'll be protecting your puppy (and maybe a few neighborhood skateboarders) from any unforeseen encounters.

Leash Etiquette
When you are outside, try to walk along with your puppy, keeping the leash loose, so that he doesn't get used to pulling. If he lags behind or runs ahead, a few short, gentle jerks on the leash are usually all that is needed to correct him.

Saying "no" the right way
Even the most obedient puppies will disobey every once in a while. So make sure your puppy understands what you want him to do. If he understands and still misbehaves, a firm "No" is all he needs. Then, show him the correct behavior and praise him.

®/T Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2007

Adult Dog Training

Dogs come with certain built-in behaviors, it's true. Once you know how your dog thinks, you can train him to become a stand-up member of society. For more about dog behavior, visit www.pedigree.com.

Top Dog
Your first training rule is this: Remember that dogs are pack animals...and that you're the leader. Establish and reinforce your status as leader, but be sure to do it with kindness and consistency. Use your dog's need to please to your advantage, and let him know - clearly - when he does the right thing. This way, he'll learn to understand what his human companions expect of him and be better equipped to fit into his environment.

Pack Rules
Although now domesticated, dogs of today still require a group or pack structure like that of their ancestors and wild relatives. Some dogs will naturally choose to follow; others are born leaders. However, in the canine-human pack, your dog must understand that he is lower ranking than any human, including children. You can reinforce your position as the pack leader in many ways. Make sure your dog gives up his food dish, chew bones and toys without complaining. If he growls or attempts to bite, be firm. Speaking to him in a comforting tone, lay your dog down on his side and hold him down with your hand over his neck until he surrenders. This behavior is called dominant soothing, and it's similar to the way a higher-ranking dog would put a younger dog in its place. Once you've established your rank, you can begin basic obedience training.

Sit
Place a food tidbit in your closed fist and hold it in front of your dog's nose. Pass your fist toward the back of your dog's head as you say "Sit." As his head goes up and back to follow the treat, he should sit automatically. Repeat this exercise until your pet learns to sit at the command. Don't forget to praise him when he does it. (That's his real reward!)

Stay
Start with the "Sit" command. When your dog obeys, praise him, but don't give him a treat. Instead say "Stay," as you step back and give him an open hand signal. Then immediately give him the treat. Repeat the process, increasing the distance you step back from your dog. Go only one step at a time. Don't forget the praise!

Down
After "Stay," your dog is ready to learn "Down." Start by giving him the "Stay" command. Then as you say "Down," take a food treat in your hand, place it in front of his nose, and pass it down to the floor. Your dog will follow the treat and lie down. You can soon teach your dog to "Stay" in this position, just as he learned in the sitting position.

Come
After "Sit," "Down," and a "Stay" where you can walk at least 10 steps away, your dog can learn "Come." Give your dog the "Sit" (or "Down") and "Stay" commands. Take five steps back, whistle, say your dog's name and "Come" in an excited tone of voice. When he obeys, praise and reward him. Never call your dog to scold him. Responding to "Come" should always be positive.

Why he's safer on a leash
A leash is essential to protecting your dog throughout his life. Even if you think your dog will always come when he's called or will stay by your side, you can't anticipate what's around the corner. An aggressive dog, a toddling baby, a squirrel - any of these could throw your dog off his game. So use the leash. You'll be protecting your dog (and maybe a few neighborhood skateboarders) from any unforeseen encounters.

Leash Etiquette
When you are outside, try to walk along with your dog, keeping the leash loose, so that he doesn't get used to pulling. If he lags behind or runs ahead, a few short, gentle jerks on the leash are usually all that is needed to correct him.

Saying "No" the right way
Even the most obedient dogs will disobey every once in a while. So make sure your dog understands what you want him to do. If he understands and still misbehaves, a firm "No" is all he needs. Then, show him the correct behavior and praise him.

®/T Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2007

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