dog tricks... from the dangerous book for boys

soooo i changed my mind... now i want to do...

DOG TRICKS [ from The Dangerous Book for Boys]

Teaching a dog simple tricks helps the bond between you. Dogs enjoy pleasing their owners and a well-trained dog is a happy dog! The only difficulty is in making the dog understand what you want. Commands should be given in a firm, low voice. Don't expect them to understand perfectly the first time. Be prepared to come back to the same commands again and again, leaving a few days between. Most dogs are perfectly willing to jump through hoops [literally] for their owners.

SPEAK

This comes under the group of tricks from observed behavior., If a dog does something and a command word is uttered and a treat given every time, they will quickly associate the treat and the pat with the command word. Say, "speak!" when they bark and in a short time, they will bark on command. Saying "are you sleepy?" when they yawn works in exactly the same way.

SIT

Everyone is familiar with this one. It is important that a dog should know to pause at every curb rather than rush across. Sitting helps to mark the importance of roads. Repetition is ey here–even bright dogs like collies can take two years to become well trained. Do not expect overnight results with any of these. Press the dogs hindquarters down firmly, while saying "sit!" Then give a treat–a piece of biscuit, for example. It doesn't have to be much. A pat on the head will probably do, but you'll find training easier with some sort of small reward to hand out.

DOWN
Always follows "sit". Point firmly at the floor in front of the dog's head. As with teaching them to "speak", you might try this when they are on their stomachs naturally. Otherwise, you can try placing them in the "down" position manually, then express delight and give them a treat. They should remain upright, like a sphinx.

PLAYDEAD
Usually follows "down". "dying" involves lying completely flat on their side. You may have to press your hand gently against the dog's head to indicate what you want it to do. Dogs love this and though they lie still, their tails wag madly. eep your voice verey low and touch the tail, saying slowly, "dead dogs don't wag..." Hold it for two or three seconds, then get them up and give them a pat and a treat.

PAW

This is one you have to demonstrate. Simply lift the dog's paw in your hand and shake hands gently before giving them a treat. Follow with the command "other paw'' for them to swap over. It wont be long before they offer paws on command. I had a terrier who took forever to get this, but he managed it in the end.

OVER

This is used when you want the dog to run—to cross the street swiftly is the most common use. Train the dog by holding their collar and raising your tone in excitment, holding them back. When all is clear, say "Over!" loudly and let them run. They will probably not cross neatly the first few dozen times, so don't train them near cars.

HEEL

Crucial when walking a dog on the lead. It is tiring and annoying to have a dog pull as it walks along. Curb the habit early with a sharp jerk of the lead and a very firm tons as you say the command word. Puppies are excitable and curious. They often take a long time to learn this. Be careful not to hurt them and do not worry about looking like a fool. Anyone has ever had a puppy has walked along a street saying "heel" over and over again without any clear effect. To state the obvious, the dog does not understand why you are calling out the parts of your feet. You are setting up a link in their minds between the word and the action of being jerked back. It will probably take a good year for this to work, depending on how young the puppies are when you get them. Be patient. Its good practice for controlling your temper when you have children later on. Seriously. Like a lot of thinkgs in life, early work bears fruit when it really matters.

STAY

This is another important one to teach early. Most dog owners have been surprised by a situation where the dog is far away and suddenly a car is coming toward you. If you can tell the dog to "stay" and have it remain still, a serious accident can be avoided. This is taught with the aid of a pocketful of treats and many afternoons. You have the dog sit, and say "stay!" in your deep command voice. You hold up your hand at the same time, showing the dog a flat palm. You take a step back. If the dog follows you, return it to the same spot and begin again. Begin with three steps and then give it a treat and a pat, making a big fuss over the dog. When the dog can remain still for tree steps, try six, then a dozen and so on. You should be able to build up to quite a long distance in a short time. Dogs, do like to able to see you, however. If you turn a corner, almost all dogs will immediately move forward to find you again.

JUMPING THROUGH YOUR ARMS
Not all dogs can do this—the terrier absolutely refused point-blank. The command, "over!over!" is useful as the dog knows it is for jumping. Begin by making a circle on the floor with your arms and having the dog called through for a treat. You need two people for this. After a few successful repetitions, raise your hands from the floor so the dog has to step up a little to pass through. They're probably far too excited by then, so try it again the next day. Raise your arms higher and higher, then stand upright, holding your arms out in the largest circle you can make. Dogs the size of collies can do this, though some will thumps you inn the body or hit your hands as they go through. They improve with practice and it is a great trick to impress other dog owners.

A well trained dog will not be aggressive with other dogs or people, or atleast they'll bring the poodle back when you call them. They will guard your home , force you to remain active to walk them, play with you whenever you have the slightest interest, and adore you with complete trust in all weathers, on all days.