Beginner beginner obedience exercises

LucyLU

So I have been working with Lucy on recall i guess and some other very basic obedience type skills... like sitting when she comes to me.. sitting then standing... laying then standing.. etc... what are some other things I can start teaching her ? Obviously, it's nothing fancy... but we both really enjoy it. Any ideas would be great!! Smile

BEANSnBERRY · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:47 am Post subject:

Well, a loose lead heel is great, a sit, sit to down, wait/stay, with you being able to step away from her and walk around her. Having her follow you from a down or a sit, back into heel position. calling her in front of you then asking her to go back to a heel position are all beginner rally exercises.

You should consider joining a rally or obedience class, I bet you'd have a blast with it! Smile

If you do it right it's fun for both you and the dog. Logan and I really enjoy it! Very Happy

peppernaei · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:45 am Post subject:

to add to BnB...

I teach Wait (I'm going to ask you for something but stay still until I do) and Stay (don't move an inch even if you hear a command from somewhere) separately.
Off/take it
Go to (leave my side and go get a treat/toy on a marker(stool) and return to me with a come)
Touch (hands or tape on walls floor - to start)
Settle (a relaxed down which is great for when you have people over or you are eating dinner)
Turns in heel (left/right or get back/around)
Front (come and sit in front of me)
Attention or Focus
Tricks, tricks, tricks to keep it fun for you and the dog - shake a paw, play dead, go through (my legs), cookie on the nose, kisses, roll over, bow, sit pretty, speak (if you dare), smile, yawn etc.

For all the stationary commands (sit, down, stand and sequences of these) - I start physically moving away once they are mastered up close. I use a broomstick (or recently the dry swiffer) as a barrier on the floor to encourage the dog not to creep forward.

Just have fun...

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

could try moving to hand motions as well... that may be fun to do... just get some camo and you could go as marines for halloween.
personally, we only use navy seal handsignals... Rolling Eyes

imamonstertruck · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

LucyLU · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

Thank you for all the ideas... I haven't tried heel yet because it kind of intimidates me. She isn't the best on a leash but I have never tried actually training her inside with one on. I have recently started using a clicker and it has been working great. I have been incorporating hand signals with the commands and it is a lot of fun.

Suggestions on starting to teach her heel?

I am definitely going to try some of the others too... How did you get yours to go to a stool and then come back?

Any suggestions on leave it? Or targeting?

Thanks again!

p.s. Dumb question... can you do obedience if your dog is fixed?

peppernaei · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

I agree that the hand signals are great and I find they are often understood before the verbal.

Well here is a long answer...

As for working on heel at home, I began with "positive walking". No command but walking quickly with her on a leash in heel position. Whenever she is at your side - where you want her - and you have her attention give her a click/yes/treat (whichever you are doing). Don't stop walking while you reward and if you are treating do it close to your leg. Only do this for brief periods so she doesn't get bored and go in both directions. Then progress to dropping the lead and then no lead. You can also add the verbal "heel" once she begins grasping what you want.

Go to is easier to begin with two people. One with the dog and one with the stool. Start close to the stool (2-3 feet) and you signal with your hand where you want her to go. I use and open palm, thumb up to point. The person at the stool puts a treat on it and taps it to get the dogs attention. You say "go to", point and release the dog. After they eat the treat you recall and treat. To get a great recall you can try using two types of treats and have the yummier one for the recall. As you progress move further away from the stool and eliminate the other person. For this put the dog in a stay and move out to the stool and place the treat. Return and release the dog and then cue Go to.

For Leave it I use Off. I start with treats in my hand and say off. When they go for the treat close your fingers over the treat but don't remove your hand. You want the dog to remove themselves from the food. We also use this for dinner time since we have three dogs eating different food. Bowls go down with Off and then Take it and everyone gets to eat. We test if they are listening to Take it by switching up the words - tacos, teddy bears, etc and Come using carrots, cookies, candy, etc.

Targeting can be started easily by putting your hand close to their nose and treating a touch. Then add the word. If you don't get a touch you can put a treat between your fingers to get a sniff. Same thing with tape (I use blue painters tape since it doesn't mark walls and stuff). You can then rub a treat on the tape to get a sniff=touch. Initially, feed treats at the marker.

You can do obedience in Canada if your dog is fixed but I'm not sure about in the USA.

anne · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

I start heel work without a lead, I find that it's easier for both dog and handler. I do what peppernai does more or less.
If you want an obedience competition heel, then I'd suggest getting the book "Choose to Heel" by Dawn Jecs.

Yes you can compete in obedience with a fixed dog.

daisyrae · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:34 am Post subject: trying to start training

my weim is only 4 months old. I am trying to start her up on some obedience training now.

i am having a difficult time getting her to come to me when i call her. as well, i just noticed a sudden jump in her hyperness this past week. i started throwing her favorite toy and telling her to go get it. she seems partially interested in the game, but no full commitments.

i dont expect a lot of response from her at this point, i just want her to get used to commands and me giving them.