Train The Trainer

After each dog goes through its Basic Obedience Training Cycle of 2-3 weeks, the owner receives a 3-4 hour “Train the Trainer” Session. This is a private session for you, your family and your dog to work through all that your family pet has learned. We will show you what your dog learned, how he learned it and then let you work your dog until you and he are working well together. For the first time, you and your dog will communicate with each other, and will actually understand each other.

This session is designed to teach you how to work your dog, as his “Pack Leader” and transition the dog back into your home to the same leave of proficiency that he obtained at our home. The Key and Team is you and your dog no matter where you are or what the distractions are in the horizontal.

WE will know we have accomplished our objective when you say, “WOW, I think we’ve got it!” “Is This really My Dog?” Below is an example of the Basic Obedience Commands you will become comfortable with in our special session called “3-4 Hour Train the Trainer”.

One command, enforce, then praise. Work 5 times a week, 15-20 minutes each session. Keep It fun, remember an exercised dog is a “Happy Dog”.

1. SIT – Say name and then sit. If your dog does not obey, immediately pull straight up on the leash until he sits. Release the pressure and give lots of praise when he does finally sit.

2. DOWN – Say name and then down. If your dog does not immediately obey, gently step on the leash and gentle guide to the ground. You can also use his leash clip to guide him down as well. When your dog downs, remove your foot quickly from off the leash so that the dog does not get corrected for being in the down position.

3. STAY – This can be done in a sit or a down position, but whatever position you leave the dog in, it must remain in that position until you have released him. To start, tell the dog to either sit or down. Then, before you move, hold your hand in front of the dog’s face and say stay. Keep the leash in your hand as you distract (throw stick, jump up, roll something by him, make big noise) (JUST AS YOU WILL HAVE SEEN US DO IN THE 2-3 VIDEOS EVERY 7-9 DAYS) your dog so that if you need to correct your dog, you may be able to do so immediately.

If your dog is in a sit-stay or down-stay and he moves, say no and pull straight up on the leash until he sits & guide him down if a down-stay. If your dog is in a down-stay and it moves, say no and step gently on the leash until he returns to the down position. Do not repeat the commands sit, down, or stay. To release your dog, always go back to the dog’s right side (dog on your left side), wait a few seconds and then say OK, FREE!!!! in a high, happy voice. When you release your dog, make sure the dog moves forward with you and then you give lots of praise. (Lots and Lots of Praise, Please)

4. EASY – The dog can do anything on its leash, except pull, jump, scratch. If your dog pulls, pop back on the leash and say EASY.

5. COME – This is done on the leash and or the long line. Do not do off leash recalls until you have gone through Whispering Oaks Professional Dog Training which is 100% Off Leash Advanced Program and is 100% Money Back Guaranteed Training. If your dog is loose for some reason and you want him to Come, and your dog get distracted, say his name and if the dog looks at you, say Come. Immediately begin to trot backwards away from your dog and encourage him with your high, happy voice. As the dog gets 3-5 feet in front of you, stop your backwards movement, go down on your knee, and bring your treat (if you have one) up in front of you, all the way up to your chest.

Your dog should Automatically Sit – if he doesn’t, pull straight up on the leash until he does. THEN PRAISE!!! If your dog does not look at you when you say his name, “pop the leash” just before you say come. Finish the exercise as above. If your dog runs past you, turn in the opposite direction and say NO as you “pop the leash”. Finish as instructed above.

6. OFF – This means to keep your feet “OFF ME” and off the furniture. Wave hands back and forth in front of you and say, “OFF ME”. If the dog jumps upon you, use your knee to bump him in the chest. Do not touch the dog with your hands until all four feet are on the ground. THEN PRIASE!!! This Command is helpful if practiced with a leash on, so if your dog insists on jumping up, you can give a sharp jerk straight to the ground with the leash. If your dog gets on the furniture and you want him to get off, point to the floor and say “OFF!!” Say OFF!!, and if you do not receive any response, grab the collar or leash, and pull him off, THEN PRIASE!!!.

7. WAIT – This is used when going through doors and coming out of crates or up and down stairs. Before opening the door, say WAIT!!! The dog is on a loose leash; do not hold the dog in place, he must obey on his own. If you open the door and your dog tries to go through, pop back on the leash and say SIT!!! You walk through first, then when you are ready for your dog to come in or out, say OK, FREE!! This is important for moving a dog from Alpha to more Beta Behavior. In your 3-4 Hour Train the Trainer, we will explain this concept.

8. LEAVE IT – This means STOP whatever you are doing right now; NO MATTER WHAT THE HORIZONTAL DISTRACTION. This is the only command to be given in a LOUD, COMMAND VOICE. If your dog tries to steal the object, CORRECT WITH THE LEASH, and say LEAVE IT!!!

9. NIGHT NIGHT – (What is your command for, Asking your dog to get in his crate?) This is what you say when you want your dog to go into its Crate. Line the dog up with his Crate and say NIGHT NIGHT. If your dog does not go in, help him with a firm tug to the collar or leash. Some of you macho types may want to mutter “Load UP” GRRRRRRR! 🐾🙂🐾

10. GO LIE DOWN – Line the dog up to its bed, point your finger or snap while giving the command go lie down. If your dog doesn’t obey, take the leash or collar and lead him to his BED OR PLACE. When the dog is in his down position, place your hand in front of his face and tell him to STAY!!! Tell your dog OK, FREE!!! when you are ready for him to get up. This Go Lie Down command can be used in any place you want him to “DOWN STAY”.

11. ALPHA BEHAVIOR – Is your dog “Resource Guarding or Growling”? #1 When you feed your dog, pretend to eat out of his bowl or move your hand toward his bowl while eating. Be careful if you feel he will bite you; if you feel this way call Mike Sinteff at 404-444-9329 #2 When you reunite with your dog, ignore it until it leaves you alone for 2-3 minutes. Do not talk to them or make eye contact. If they jump on you, just bump them off with your knee, but in this case also say OFF ME!!! With a strong COMMAND VOICE. #3 The first 20-30 feet of a walk, make your dog walk close to you and do the same for the last 20-30 feet of the walk before walking up your driveway. #4 See # 7 above as well. THE CRATE – Your dog has learned to be content in it’s “den” or crate. This is a safe place for your dog while you are out of the house, you have guests, or you have gone to bed. Dogs learn to love their “safe place”.

12. FEEDING/ELIMINATING SCHEDULE: We also have set your dog up on a feeding schedule. Normally, they eat between 6-7 AM and again at 3-4 PM if it is a puppy start at 6AM and the last time out is 10am. Adult dogs can be fed once per day depending on weight and metabolism. Dogs should only have food and water “down” for 15-20 minutes once or twice per day if they are inside dogs. If they are outside dogs, they should have water at all times. Pick water up one hour before coming inside from play. LET THEM OUT AGAIN IN ONE HOUR TO ELIMINATE after Breakfast & dinner.

13. YOUR PUPPY – A puppy that is crate trained is “worked from the crate”. This means that each time we cannot “watch him” we place him in the crate. (If you are concerned about this, Please call Mike Sinteff at 404-444-9329). As soon as you are able to watch him again (We call this “Tethering”.), let him out of the crate to eliminate outside. Do not walk him, say the dog’s name and “go hurry” or whatever you are accustomed to saying. You become a “post” for your dog while he goes. Give him 3-5 minutes, if he does not go put him back in the crate for half an hour and try again. If he does go, praise him and bring him back in the house. “Tether him to you” – keep him in your sight. This will prevent your puppy from wandering off and eliminating in the house. As soon as you cannot watch him, place him back in his crate. Watch him for circling, prancing, sniffing the ground, or whining – these are all indications he may need to go out. Keep this up for 3-6 months until he proves to you he will not go in the house. Generally, little dogs/breeds are more difficult to “housebreak”. Larger dogs are generally easier to “house break”. Keep it up and do not give up!! In the early months before house breaking, do not worry about having to leave your dog in the crate so much, this is part of the process. Remember you’ll have a lifetime with him – do not spoil your dog! Your puppy will need to eliminate every 3 hours throughout the day. Go through the same process again at 4-5 PM. Remember, do not free feed/water! Finally, let them out to eliminate just before you go to bed between 10-11pm, and start all over again tomorrow. Please call us with any questions – 404-444-9329