North County Canine Training (NCCT)

Obedience Training Packet

Training Plan

1. Review Basic Commands: Start by practicing the basic commands. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to reward your pet for performing the commands correctly.

2. Daily Practice: Set aside dedicated time each day for training sessions with your pet. Keep the sessions short and focused, about 10-15 minutes each, to keep your pet engaged and motivated. Consistency is key, so try to practice the commands in different environments to reinforce your pet's obedience skills in various settings.

3. Incorporate Distractions: Gradually introduce distractions during training sessions to help your pet generalize their obedience skills to real-life situations. For example, practice commands in the presence of other people, pets, or tempting objects, so that your pet learns to obey even when there are distractions around.

4. Reinforce Positive Behavior: Continue to reward and reinforce positive behavior throughout the day, even outside of formal training sessions. Use verbal cues, treats, and praise to encourage your pet's good behavior and discourage any undesirable behaviors.

5. Maintain a Consistent Routine: Dogs thrive on routine, so maintain a consistent schedule for feeding, exercise, and training sessions. Consistency helps reinforce the training and creates a sense of structure and predictability for your pet, which can contribute to their overall obedience.

6. Keep Training Fun: Remember to keep training sessions enjoyable for both you and your pet. Use positive reinforcement techniques, be patient, and celebrate your pet's progress. Training should be a positive experience that strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend.

By following this training plan, you can help your pet improve their obedience skills and continue to reinforce positive behavior. Consistency, practice, and positive reinforcement are the keys to success!

Commands To Work On and Descriptions

Sit: This command teaches your dog to sit down on their haunches with all four paws on the ground. It's a fundamental obedience command that helps your dog learn self-control and focus, and it's often used as a building block for other commands.

1. Say the command (your dog will sit down), verbal praise and reward.

Easy: This command encourages your dog to walk calmly on a loose leash without pulling or lunging. It's particularly helpful for dogs that tend to be reactive or overly excited during walks, and it promotes safe and enjoyable walks for both you and your dog.

1. Your dog is pulling on the leash or is overly excited (a lot of jumping or running)
2. Say the command (your dog should stop pulling on the leash and slow down if they are over excited), verbal praise and reward.

Leave it: This command teaches your dog to ignore or leave alone a specific object or item, such as food, toys, or other distractions. It's essential for teaching impulse control and preventing your dog from picking up or interacting with potentially dangerous or unwanted items.

1. Your dog is too close to something it shouldn’t be or is trying to eat something it shouldn’t be.
2. Say the command (your dog should stop what it is doing and go away from what it was interested in), verbal praise and reward.

Free: This command releases your dog from a specific position, such as "sit" or "down," and allows them to move or resume normal activities. It's a release cue that lets your dog know they're done with a specific command or exercise.

1. Say the command (your dog will do what it wants).

Heel: This command teaches your dog to walk or run closely by your side, usually on your left or right, without pulling or straying away. It's a more advanced walking command that requires your dog to pay close attention to your movements and stay in close proximity to you.

1. Say the command (your dog will come to your side in a standing position and will walk next to you), verbal praise and reward.

Down: This command teaches your dog to lie down on the ground with all four paws extended. It's another fundamental obedience command that promotes relaxation, focus, and impulse control.

1. Say the command (your dog will lay down), verbal praise and reward.

Recall: This command teaches your dog to come back to you when called, usually from a distance. It's a crucial safety command that can help you regain control of your dog and prevent them from getting into dangerous situations.

1. Your dog is away from you.
2. Say the command (your dog will return to you and sit in front of you, facing you), verbal praise and reward.

Verbal Praise: These are verbal cues that your dog has learned to mean that they have done a good job or have done what you wanted.

Reward: This is when you are giving your dog a treat or toy as a reward for doing a good job or have done what you wanted. To set a command as a reward command, continuously give your pet treats while saying the command.

Remember to use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats, praise, and patience, when training your dog, and always tailor your training approach to your dog's individual needs and temperament. Consistency, practice, and clear communication are key to successful dog training!