Coloring Activity #1 - "Dog In The Grass"

Coloring Activity #2 - "Bashful"

Puzzle #1 - "Help the Puppy Find His Bone!"

Word Search #1 -

Word Search #2 -

The Sit

Teach your dog to sit by doing three things at the same time:

   1) Say "sit"

   2) Push its rump down with your left hand

   3) Pull the leash taut with your right hand

Be sure to pull straight up so it will learn to sit straight.

Reward & Praise - The young dog or puppy can be taught to sit by using a treat. To practice what you mean when you say "sit" to your dog, place him in front of you, take the treat in front of him, as you say "sit" take the treat back over his head. Say "sit" and use the other hand to push his rump down.

The Down

Using the same training method as with the sit, you will begin by sitting your dog. Next, take a treat holding in front of your dog at eye level. Tell the dog "down" as you bring the treat down to the floor. A leash may be helpful in gently tugging him down. Be sure not to pull. You may also try a hand signal along with the voice command. Use your right hand, palm open. Start at eye level & sweep down to the floor or ground. In early training you may want to touch the ground.

Reward & Praise - Practice until your dog will go to the down position, without sitting first. Only use the word "down" when you want the dog to lie down. Do not use the word for anything else. If the dog jumps on something, say "no" or "off, but never "down."

The Heel

When heeling, the dog walks at your left side. Heel position is defined as, "the area between the head and shoulder should be in line with your left hip." When you halt the dog is to sit squarely at your left, its shoulder still even with your knee.

Place your dog in sitting position at your left side with its training collar on properly. A chock collar is used as a training collar. With your leash folded neatly in your right hand at about waist high, let your left arm hang at your side.

1) Say your dog's name and "heel" in a commanding voice, neither weak or pleading, nor loud or harsh

2) Step forward with your left foot

3) Give a jerk with the leash (first week only)

It takes practice & concentration to do all three simultaneously. It will take time & practice to learn the heel. As soon as the dog starts to move, encourage it enthusiastically, saying "good dog." Heel at a brisk pace. If your dog lunges forward, give a correction jerk (a quick tug of the leash & release, giving the command "heel" at the same time). Do not "choke the dog" or pull harshly.

Praise & Reward - When the leash is kept tight all the time, the dog only learns to dislike the whole idea of training.

The Stay

When your dog is trained on the "sit" and the "down", it's time to start teaching the "stay"

1) Give the command "sit"

2) Standing in front of your dog, hold your hand in front of the dog at eye level and say "stay" (using a flat hand facing your dog)

3) Take a couple of steps backwards. If the dog moves, make him "sit" and say "stay", as you step toward him

4) Repeat these steps until your dog remains sitting

5) As your dog learns stay, practice going further away, always correcting & repeating if he "breaks" the stay

6) Try this exercise in a down position

7) Eventually your dog should "down" or "sit" and "stay" at your command, only moving when you release him

Praise & Reward

The Come

When releasing your dog from the stay command, you will use the "come" command

1) Give your dog the sit & stay command

2) Take a few steps backwards

3) Give the command to "come". You may want to use his name & come: "Rover, Come". This exercise is taught best on lead at first. As you give the command and your dog starts to move, pull the leash in gently toward you. Do not pull or tug.

4) Bring your dog in front & center at your feet, your dog facing you. Tell your dog to sit.

Praise & Reward

5) Keep practicing until you can do this exercise off lead, placing a short distance between you & your dog. Eventually you should be able to use the "come" command, wherever your dog is, and he should respond.