Initail dog training
exercises are important as
they will give the dog owner and the puppy a taste of what is to come
and what to expect from the training.
Firstly the dog will need to understand the basic training commands
that a puppy needs to learn are
"sit" and "ok" commands. These two commands should be learnt together.
An ideal time to practise these commands is just before the
puppy
eats. This is done by setting the food infront of the puppy. Do not let
the dog eat the food and make the dog sit by gently pressing down on
it's rear. As slowly as you can say the word "s-i-i-i-it."
When the puppy is sitting, it has to wait for you to say "ok" before it
is allowed
to eat the food. If you repeat this procedure every day, you will be
surprised how soon your puppy begins to understand. The command "okay"
is also in the interest of your dog's well-being. If it only eats after
it hears this command, you can be sure that it will not accept food
from strangers. This will also decrease the chances of your dog being
poisoned by eating dead rats, birds and other animals. Depending on the
type of dog and the manner of the dog the eating food on command
exercise might be difficult to master. You should not become angry with
the dog, rather concentrate on other exercises. The reason why this
command is extremely difficult to master is that it goes against the
dogs natural instinct of eating available food to live.
The
puppy should also learn that the furniture is not for it to use. If it
settles down on the living room couch or on an armchair, use a loud,
forceful "NO" and a light smack on its rump to urge it to jump down
immediately. If it likes to pull tablecloths down, put a container near
the table's edge. Make sure that the container is a pot or something
that will make a loud noise when it falls. Bad behaviour could fall
under the disciplinary problems
catagory and this will need to be sorted out, keep in mind that the dog
might be seeking attention or want to go outside for a walk or to play.
A picture of a healthy, well
kept German Shepherd.
If
you practice these first lessons, which form the basis of its future
training, in a playful spirit, your German shepherd dog will hardly
notice that it has started the serious business of learning.
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