When you set out to obedience train your poodle, you will need
a training collar and lead. The training collar is a snug collar
that fits over the poodle's head with no more than an inch of
clearance. The poodle should only wear this collar during training
sessions. Training sessions should last no longer than ten or
fifteen minutes, lest the poodle become bored or frustrated.
There are five obedience commands that your poodle should master.
Sit
Sit should be the very first command that your dog learns. To
teach your poodle how to sit, position it beside your left leg.
Hold the lead in your right hand. Gently push the puppy's hindquarters
down with your left hand while gently pulling up on the leash
with the right hand. At the same time, say firmly, "Caramia,
sit!" (Always use your dog's name before a command.) When
the poodle sits, pet and praise it lavishly.
The maneuvering of the puppy's body should be done gently. Your
goal is to ease the pup into a natural position, not beat it down
with excessive force.
Practice this command several times over the next few days. Your
poodle should get the hang of it in about a week.
Stay
This command is harder to teach, since the puppy naturally wants
to be where you are. Start out with the puppy in the "sit"
position. Hold your palm out like a police officer directing traffic
and take a step backward. At the same time say, "Caramia,
stay!"
If the poodle stays, give it praise and affection. If it follows
you, don't offer any praise. Simply return it to its original
position and try again. Gradually step back further and further,
until you can call, "Caramia, stay!" from fifteen or
twenty yards away and the poodle will obey you.
Heel
Heel is a relatively easy command to teach because your puppy
wants to be with you. Start this lesson with your dog in "sit"
position at your left side. Start walking, left leg first, exert
a gentle pull on the leash, and say, "Caramia, heel!"
As long as the poodle stays at your left foot, praise it and make
much over it. If it moves off in another direction, stop the praise
and start the lesson over.
It should be noted that the gentle pull on the leash is to get
the dog moving, not to drag it around the yard. If the pull on
the leash doesn't work, clap your hands together or slap the leash
against your trouser leg to get your puppy's attention. Then try
again.
Down
Down is another relatively easy command. Start with the poodle
in sit position, then pull down on the lead gently while saying,
"Caramia, down!" When your dog lies down, give it love
and praise.
Come
The poodle's natural love of people makes this one a relatively
easy command as well. Start the lesson by opening your arms to
your puppy and calling, "Caramia, come!" When the poodle
obeys, give it plenty of love and praise.
Practice that a few times, then put your dog on a long lead and
and call it to come to you. If it obeys, praise it. If not, give
the leash a firm tug to get the pup moving in your direction and
repeat the command. (Never drag the pup to you--you could injure
its neck or back.) If the pup comes to you, praise it.
Keep practicing until the poodle obeys your command to come no
matter where you are or what it's doing. Never call your poodle
to you for punishment or anything else unpleasant. If the dog
knows to expect pain when it comes to you, it will quickly unlearn
this command.
Many owners like the idea of poodle obedience training, but are
far more worried about poodle
potty training. The next article offers some ideas for housebreaking
your poodle quickly and easily.
Got Dog
Problems? The GOOD news for YOU is that it's easier than you may think
to regain control of your Poodle. Discover all the latest PROVEN methods and
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