The five cornerstones of your dog’s basic manners are sit, down, and stand (the position changes), plus hand targeting and the notion of closeness. By teaching these five things, you will be able to show your dog how to behave in nearly any circumstance. For example, you can ask him to sit to greet people politely, to lie down quietly while the family is eating, and to stand still while being examined by a veterinarian or groomer. Hand targeting enables you to redirect your dog’s attention and gently and easily guide him where you want him to go.
It is also a terrific exercise for ensuring that your dog is confident and enthusiastic about hands reaching toward him. Teaching your dog the desire to be close is the very essence of teaching him to walk calmly by your side down a busy street and to come back to you when you call him. Teaching these basics is vital to enjoying a fulfilling relationship with your dog, whether he is a tiny Chihuahua or an enormous St. Bernard.
The building blocks of basic manners are sit, down, stand, hand targeting, and come (the desire to be close).
When teaching basic manners, keep in mind the principles of dog-friendly dog training:
- Always concentrate on teaching your dog what you want him to do. Remember, a reliable sit, down, stand, or hand target will prevent just about any behavior problem.
2. Until your dog is reliably trained, manage his lack of education; for example, keep him on leash and out of trouble.
3. Use gentle methods to teach your dog quickly and enjoyably. We all learn better when we are in a relaxed and happy state of mind.