Some say dogs can’t understand humans but they clearly have not tried communicating with dogs properly. It’s really easy to teach your puppy once you know the basic. When we first got Muffin, we were clueless on what to do. We researched about everything prior to getting Muffin but it’s different when you actually have a cute little puppy sitting infront of you. We read about crate training, toilet training, reward systems, hand signals and so much more but the key is CONSISTENCY. The below is what has worked for us, give it a go! We will try to video each step and add on to this publish so you can visualise it.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”
Josh Billings
One: Teach them to ‘Sit’
After having Muffin for a week, we were super excited to teach her some tricks. Teaching Muffin how to sit took us awhile (more than 2 days, thankfully not months!) because Adrian and I were using different hand signals and that confuses her! We know that now after attending puppy school (highly recommend if you are a new dog owner or if you want a refresher!). Puppy school is teach YOU, so you can teach your pup.
We use the reward system as our base and transition to hand signal (you can use whatever works for you). To start, hold a tiny treat in your right hand and close your palms. Put your right hand with the treat infront below their mouth and slowly lift your hand towards their nose. Now, use your left hand and gently touch their bum down. Once they are in the sitting position, say ‘SIT’ firmly once (don’t go ‘Sit’, ‘Sit’, ‘Sit’) and give them the treat. Do this multiple times and you will realise soon they can do it without any treat.
Two: Teach them to ‘Stay’
Once you master the sit position, try getting them to stay. To do this, get them to sit position. Once they are seated, open your right palm and put it front of their nose. Say ‘Stay’ firmly and take one step back and say ‘Good Girl/Boy’ (high pitched happy voice). Do that multiple times and each time, increase the distance between you and the pup. Soon they will Stay no matter how far you are from them.
Three: Teach them to ‘Go’
Good job getting them to sit and stay. You don’t need to rush these exercise all at once. Give them and yourself a break and restart the training again. Similarly, use firm voice and say it once. Get them to sit and stay…take a few steps back, and now say ‘Go’. This will only work if you have mastered Sit and Stay. If not, go back and redo it. Use treats sparingly.
Four: Teach them to ‘Roll’
Again, same concept as above. To get them to roll, take a small piece of treat and hold it in your right palm. Get them to sit and lay flat on the floor (to teach them to lay flat, hold treat on your right hand, put it infront of their nose and slowly bring your hands to the floor). Once they are flat down, use your hand to guide them to roll. Start with your hands towards their nose, slowly move behind their head (ensuring that their face is following your hands) and make a circle.
Five: Teach them to…(whatever you want!)
You can teach them whatever you want them to learn as long as you use the same words, speak firmly and don’t confuse them by doing too many tricks at once.
Baby Muffin
VioletFimz 