Dog Training: Learning The side And sit Commands

You can initiate your dog to this type of training around the age of six months to a year, depending on the dog, its race, sex, etc. During its youth, your dog has to learn the meaning of the word "No" as it will be used time and time again in the training of your dog. It's also important to know the proper code of conduct to adopt while teaching your dog.

Your dog needs to learn a series of execises that will make him a good trained dog and nake it possible for you to take your dog around people. It amounts to teach him a basic code of communication between you and him, a code well understood by both parties.

The exercises 'side' and 'sit' will be used as a system of bidirectional signs. Neither language nor grammar matter, what is important is the tone of voice used and that your tone does not change constantly.

The 'side' command

When walking your dog, your dog goes faster than you and pulls on the leach. Learn this tip to cure the problem.

Pull strongly on the leach towards you and do a U turn and start walking in the opposite direction. When you feel your dog is going to overtake you again, say firmly 'side' and put your leg in his way to help him understand and with your hand slightly slap his front legs while saying again 'side' in a commanding tone. You can practice along a wall to make it easier to control the dog in the beginning.

If the dog manages nonetheless to overtake you, you have to scold him straightaway by saying 'No' and right after that 'side' again. If the dog does not move or goes back with fear, gently coax him come forward.

The 'sit' command

Let's now learn how to make your dog sit at will.

While pulling the leach upwards and slightly back, you will push on your dog's backside while giving him the order 'sit'.

You can also teach your dog to 'stay' by holding your right palm in front of him and saying firmly 'stay'. If the dog moves, then again say 'No' firmly and make him sit again and repeat the stay exercise. You will later learn to make your dog stay even when you're not at his side but that's for a later article.