THERE ARE FIVE BASIC RULES TO EFFECTIVE TRAINING OF ANY TYPE
YOUR DOG SHOULD RESPOND BECAUSE HE WANTS TO, NOT BECAUSE HE IS AFRAID!
Enough can be used when you want your dog to stop doing something that is usually okay. Most people want their dogs to bark when they hear or see something out of the ordinary. No one wants a dog who barks constantly. If you have checked out the situation and know there is nothing to be concerned with you can say "Good Dog, Good Bark!!, Enough"
Leave it would be used to prevent your dog from picking an object or food up from anywhere. For example you are cooking dinner and drop a piece of something on the floor; or you are out on a walk and there is something dead, rotting or equally disgusting along the path you want to be able to tell your dog to "leave it!"
Give or Out would be used when you want your dog to release something that her or she has in his or her mouth. Under no circumstances should you have to get into a tug-of-war to remove something. By giving the command "Out" (or give) your dog should allow you to open his or her mouth and remove the offending object. If it happens to be a chicken bone, moth ball or rat poison this command could save your dog's life.
Potty or Do Business is used to tell your dog it is time to eliminate. This can be very helpful if you are traveling and need to get back on the road, if your dog is injured or has had surgery and has to go out on a leash or if you have a bitch in season who should NEVER be left unsupervised. It will sometimes be raining, cold, windy or a combination of all three and "Go Potty" will keep the time you are standing outside with an umbrella in one hand and the leash in the other to a minimum.
Go Lay Down is particularly useful when you are tired and want to rest and your dog wants you to throw the tennis ball just one more time, or when you are trying to eat pizza on the coffee table and watch a movie, or if you are working on a project which you have spread out all over the den floor. "Go Lay Down" will tell you dog to remove himself to someplace else and lay down.
It is important to remember that commands should never be used as play words. It is not reasonable or fair to expect your dog to be able to figure out when "give" really means "give" if that word is also used when the children are playing fetch and want Rover to drop the ball. In that situation use another word like "drop". Make sure that everyone in your family understands the rules. Rover needs consistency from everyone if he or she is going to fit into the family.
A dog who knows what is expected of him or her, and does it when he or she is told, is a happy, positive addition to any family. A GOOD, WELL BEHAVED DOG IS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR GIFT FROM ABOVE. A GOOD, WELL BEHAVED DOG IS THE RESULT OF TIME, PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE BY THE OWNER. Do not think that if you wait long enough your dog "Will grow out of it". What you will most likely end up with is a large, adult dog who still has no manners. A 25lb. puppy is easier to handle than an 80lb. adult. The best time to train is when the dog is a puppy but that in no way means that an adult cannot learn. Many adult dogs take to obedience training immediately. For many it is the first time someone has taken the time to TEACH him what they want and the dogs love it. Most dogs want to please but simply are not sure how. There is no time like the present and no excuse to put it off.
Attending an organized obedience class, taught be a knowledgeable instructor is always the best way to train you and your dog. If you have never trained before you may find this much easier than trying to understand what to do from a book. However, if you have limited time or funds do not let that stop you from having a well behaved dog. There are several books which are on the Recommended Book List which are very clear and do a good job of explaining how to train your dog. GRREAT also has an Education Coordinator who is available to answer any questions you may have. Should you decide that you and your dog are going to take an organized class we have provided a list below of several local training clubs or facilities. You may wish to go and observe a class (without your dog) before you decide where to train. Watch what they are doing, do you feel comfortable with their methods? Dogs should be trained humanely and with respect, do you feel that is happening? If you are uncomfortable, go watch another class at another facility. How do you feel now? A good training club or facility will TRAIN YOU to train your dog. If the club or facility will not let you observe a class before you sign up (without an acceptable reason) you may want to try someplace else.
You may want to visit one of the following training facilities when considering where to train.
Merrimac Dog Training Club, Inc. 930-8535 Holds classes in Hampton
Hampton Roads Obedience Training Club (HROTC) 423-4204 Classes in Chesapeake
Canine Training Unlimited 427-1700 Classes in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake 10% discount for GRREAT DOGS!
Portsmouth-Chesapeake Obedience Training Club (PCOTC) 484-7301