What are the MUST-learn training (commands and methods)?

tranquility · 06-05-2008, 12:20 AM

Apart from the basic 'sit', 'down', 'heel', 'come' and 'stay'? What must be taught to the Doberman for him to be an obedient/good pet? I plan to use the NILIF and positive-enforcement methods and take him to 'puppy kindergarten'. Thanks in advance.

Leroythedobe · 06-05-2008, 12:34 AM

"leave it" is very important

bleh60 · 06-05-2008, 12:36 AM

From the other thread someone started. I'd say 'leave it' is of high important for all dogs to learn and comes in so handy so often.

Also I think 'watch me' is a good one.

tranquility · 06-05-2008, 12:37 AM

How do you train for 'leave it' and what is 'watch me'?

Leroythedobe · 06-05-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

How do you train for 'leave it' and what is 'watch me'?

how i did it was ... made leroy sit and had a treat in my hand and held it out in front of him, of course he went for it and i said "leave it" and pulled it back..then did this over and over and everytime he went for it id say "leave it" after few times he caught on, then he wouldnt touch it until i said "get it" and how i taught that was saying "get it" until he got it and praised him but repitition is the key!!

Sagesmom · 06-06-2008, 04:35 PM

Watch me is a wonderful command.... If a dog is looking at you he is paying attention to you and there for should be listening to you..... I teach it with luring..... not the best way but it is a quick way to do it. I hold a yummy treat between my eyes (yes I look like a dork) say your word (mine is look) and when they make eye contact I give the treat, eventually the treats get moved but eye contact remains and poof you have a watch me.

clipclop · 06-06-2008, 04:41 PM

Leave it and Drop it- can save a life!

bleh60 · 06-06-2008, 05:03 PM

training for leave it can be done different ways. With my dog i just sort of started using it but only in situations where I could be right there to forcefully pull him away if I needed to. In other words, I did some introducing and we still proof it, but I didn't wait til he had it fully to start using it. You can start training it by maybe setting down a plate of something semi tempting on the couch. Within the dogs reach, but its not clearly for him. Have him on lead, when he goes for it, give a clear 'leave it' and you will probably have to pull him away. Then reward. he will get the idea soon enough.

Watch me is exactly as it sounds. You want the dog to have his eyes on you. its not always an easy command to learn. You can start by holding a treat up by your chin or eyes and give the command. Do it close and for a short period of time and then reward. After a while you can make the distance and time greater. One thing I found with my dog, and this was probably my mistake as well,- was once he recognized the command, he would look to my hand or the food. So now i keep i a fist by my face or use my finger on my nose and keep the reward behind my back so he isnt focused on the food and not me.

DobeSpell · 06-06-2008, 06:01 PM

The most important command for me is "come". This is a must if we want to go to off leash parks.
Then the good one is Stop!. When we walk and he is on long lead and wants to go over the street.

Stand/stay is great command for the vet exams, bathing, cleaning, toweling etc.
"Quiet" is very important for me too.
"Down" is very good training tool.

"Get the ball' is great for playing.
"Go over" is good for jumping exercise. He jumps over the benches in the park

.

**BlackandTans** · 06-06-2008, 06:11 PM

We also use "wait" and "leave it" in kinda the same situations but differnet. If I want them to "wait" for something (like me finishing getting their dinner ready) I will say "wait" then praise praise praise that they did so well. Then we say "leave it" cause my girl was a goat when she was younger. Would eat everything!! We had to work a lot with her on this cause when I would say "leave it" or "drop" she would just try to eat it or get it that much faster!

Come was also a big one for us and stay. Sit and lay down seemed to come pretty easy to my two. Be quiet is a nother one cause my boy thinks that he can just bark at everything that moves!

Like what was said before persistance is the key!