How's The Training? Week 4

You know, I love that Rusty knows how to sit and drop and leave it, but honestly, if we didn't go to training I don't think that I'd know where to start!

Leave it is hard and well, so is being a rescued dog.

This week's new commands are leave it randomly AND come.

The dog needs to know how to come. And we need to majorly practice. He's not very good at coming when called when there's distractions. That's going to take some work so here's how to teach come.

Be prepared:
High value treats
20 - 30 foot lead
Open space
2+ people
Dog

Step 1: Get a 20 - 30 foot long lead and snap it on to their collar.

Step 2: Find an open spot to train. We prefer the park with distractions.

Step 3: Have high value treats for all those involved whether it be cheese or hot dogs.

Step 4: Standing a ways from each other, but close enough to reach you on the lead, begin with the dog starting at one person.

Step 5: Have the other person say, "Rusty, come!" in an excited manner.

Step 6: Only say it once. No need to say it more.

Step 7: As soon as the dog starts heading to you, jump up and down, act excited, wave your hands in the air, say, "Good dog!!!" over and over until he gets to you.

Step 8: Make sure you put your hands on the dog. Come is not a game, there will be no darting away, no chasing, etc... When your hands are on the dog, reward with the value treat.

Step 9: Go back and forth for awhile and practice. Move around the park to different areas, do it in your backyard, family room, etc... And PRACTICE!!! Come is for safety.


Leave It Randomly

Be prepared:
Treats
Shoes (wear them please)
Random items you don't want your dog to get
Dog

Step 1: Drop quite a few treats on the ground (See? Way different but totally new and exciting!) along with books, etc... Whatever you don't want your dog to get into.

Step 2: Walk along the path of dropped treats and stuff - randomly say "Leave it" if he notices a treat. If he starts to go for it, step on it with your foot. Remember, only say leave it ONCE. As soon as he stops looking at the treat/item, reward with treat FROM YOUR HAND.

Step 3: Walk along the path again, only this time, randomly say, "Take it" for treats or toys that you'd like him to have.

NOTE: Take it is the beginning of something beautiful. Drop your keys? "Take it!" Drop a sweater? "Take it!" Want Rusty to get something for you? "Take it!" This is a fabulous command that will come in handy more times than you think!

Step 4: Practice, practice and practice. Do this in different places with all different treats. Generalize as much as possible so that Rusty will do this in any place, just like any other command.

Good luck and have fun!