ROTT N CHATTER, November 1993, Volume 2 Number 3

 

                            REGARDING TRAINING

                               by J. R. Hoyt

 

   Getting a pup started on a leash can be a traumatic affair for both

parties if some care is not taken.  It is best to start with simply fitting

a proper collar at around 10 weeks, then waiting for several more weeks

before attempting to introduce a leash.  Some trainers prefer to wait until

the pup is around 5 months before starting with the leash.  I have found

that you can start younger if you go to some lengths to keep the experience

pleasant and fun.  Start with using a snap lock or buckle collar, no choke

chain at this age.  Fit the collar loose enough so the two fingers can be

slipped under easily.  This is too loose to keep a dog from slipping or

backing out of, but I do not like tight collars on young dogs.  Because of

this use some caution in picking your training spots, to avoid unforutnate

situations.

   Now that the pup is used to having a collar on, I like to take a small

snap with a short piece of leash (2" - 3") or even a short piece of string,

let it dangle.  Make sure it (the 'tab') doesn not tangle or is so long that

the pup can trip on it.  Play with the pup and keep it's attention on a toy

or a treat.  It will shortly forget about the strange thing hanging from its

collar.  After a few lessons, you can leash.

   Use a 4' - 6' lightweight training leash when you start this next lesson

and select a smaller location with few distractions.  You don't want the pup

to be able to get far if you happen to drop the leash.  Use a treat to keep

the pup's attention.  Next, simply walk and get the pup to play around you.

Don't try to control the pup with the leash at this point.  Be sure to use

only gentle retraint and lots of play and/or treats.

   After a few lessons, pick a larger area that allows you to walk around,

but still a controlled area.  Using a treat or a toy, start to walk around

but let the pup pick his position, the only goal you have at this time is to

accustom the pup to the leash and some gentle restraint if needed.  When you

feel comfortable with doing so, start to keep the pup on your left side

while walking.  Don't try to enforce a proper heel position.  When you can

walk about for 2 to 3 minutes with the pup under reasonable control you are

on your way to being ready for a training class.  Just keep it fun and no

hard corrections at this stage.

   We teach all our pups from a tender age to "Drop It" or "out".  This is

the only exercise that we use a correction to accomplish.  You start by

teaching the pup to play and tug on an old cutoff pants leg.  This is a game

most all pups take readily to, just don't over do it.  In the midst of the

game give a firm command to "drop it" or "out", followed by an immediate

flick on the end of the nose with a forefinger.  This is followed by a

second firmer command and harder flick if the pup does not comply.  Praise

the instant the pup responds and return to play, continue as though nothing

has happened.  Timing is of the utmost importance.  Once again...

command/flick...praise...continue play.  Repeat this procedure 1 to 2 times

during each play session.  With Rotties, it will usually take only 2 - 3

sessions.  Use this command whenever at play, such as playing ball.  This

ingreans in a young dog's mind that first it must comply when you speak, no

matter what it is doing.  It also teaches the pup to accept an unpleasant

correction if it fails to comply with a command.  The flick on the nose will

not make a dog handshy nor will it injure, just don't miss and hit teeth or

it will hurt you worse than the pup.  With large breed dogs, it is important

that the owner establish the leadership role and that firmness can go hand

in hand with fairness.

   The next step in obedience is to choose a trainer to learn from.  It is

one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your Rottie

kid.  So next month we will talk about things to check out before you jump

in with both feet.

 

                                        Until then....

                                           Happy Heeling