12 Rules

TWELVE BASIC RULES of TRAINING
SOME EVERY DAY RULES THAT WILL HELP YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR DOG

1. Make sure you go through doorways first.
This can be a LIFE SAVER. If your dog tries to push through just shut the door (gently) on him. If you are letting your dog out into the garden, you must step out first then let the dog come out.

2.
No Begging
No titbits from the dinnerplate or from your hand at the table etc. ALWAYS get your dog to work for a titbit ie hand touch, sit, come, down, high five, twirl etc

3. Grooming
Groom your dog daily, if he needs it or not. Handle feet, ears, look at teeth etc. The dog MUST accept being handled.

4. Bedroom
Do not allow your dog into your bedroom. This is your territory. If you wish to allow it later, it must be on your terms.

5. Furniture
Do not allow your puppy on the furniture or on your lap unless you are prepared for a full grown adult to do the same. If he goes on furniture, it MUST be only on your invitation.

6. No Side-stepping
Always get your dog to move out of your way. Don’t walk around him.

7. Lead Walking
When walking your dog on the lead, change direction frequently without warning.

8. Bed
Stand in his bed. It is yours, not his, and you are just allowing him to have it.

9. Toys
Sometimes exchange the toy for food (or vice versa) but ONLY IF YOU ARE CERTAIN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. Do not EVER tease the dog. Just take the toy / bone away and say “good boy”. Sometimes give it straight back saying “OK” or “take it”.

10.
Settle
Get your dog to lie down and settle

11. Feeding
Feed yourself at meal times before you feed your dog. Make sure the dog waits for his food. Feed him by hand from the bowl. It is your bowl not his. He must think that you are kindly sharing your food with him.

12. Attention Seeking
Do not allow your dog to successfully demand attention. Give him attention only on your initiative and make him work for it ie call him to you, get him to sit or down, don’t go to him.
If he jumps up / barks / nips etc fold your arms and IGNORE him, standing up if you are sitting and / or turning your back on him. Say NOTHING. When he is good then you can make a fuss of him.

All these exercises will help you gain control over your dog. He won’t HATE you. He will LOVE you all the more, guaranteed.
Letting him know that you are his boss will make training your dog easier and, above all, your dog will be happier for it.

More important than correction is PRAISE.
By praising the good and ignoring the bad, your dog will soon understand what is right and what is wrong.

VERY IMPORTANT RULES FOR THE HUMANS
1.	Even with the nicest natured dogs, NEVER leave children alone with them.
2.	NEVER allow children to take dogs for walks on their own.
3.	NEVER allow dogs off the lead unless you are 100% sure it is safe to do so.
4.	NEVER chastise a dog when it returns to you even if he/she has been "naughty".
5.	NEVER throw sticks or stones.
6.	NEVER leave strange dogs together unattended .
7.	NEVER leave dogs alone together with collars on.
8.	Do not allow your dog to run up to another dog that is on a lead. Many dogs are kept on leads because they have behavioural problems (usually through no fault of their own, just human failings).
9.	Be very, very careful IF you must use a flexi-lead and always keep the brake on unless in a very safe place. It only takes 1/4 sec for a dog and person to be pulled under the wheels of a vehicle. Only use a flexi if you really, really have no other choice. A long line can be attached to the dog when you get to a safe area instead. You will have more control and feel a lot safer.
10.	NEVER give dogs chocolate, grapes, raisins, raw potatoes or onions.

Enjoy your lovely dog.

Š2007 Irish Retriever Rescue UK