Basic Obedience Commands

In this blog I’ll review some basic obedience commands. Most of us want a good dog that will walk quietly by our side, and stay close when we stop. We enjoy taking our dogs with us to a variety of places, and love hearing the comment “What a great dog!” A perfectly executed response to an obedience command is not necessary, more just a response. We simply want a companion we can have fun with and trust to obey simple commands.

I prefer to use positive reinforcement training principals in my classes. The most common positive reinforcement is the use of small, nutritious treats. Small means fingertip size!! Remember to use nutritious, low calorie treats - check with your local pet shop if you have any questions about treats. As your dog learns the basic commands, and responds promptly, you can wean them slowly away from constant treats, and more verbal praise. The positive reinforcement, combined with the constant activity, variety and repetitions help the dogs learn very quickly. I place less emphasis on perfection in the sit or down, and more that the dog simply performs the command. In other words, I don’t care if the dog sits/downs exactly by your side in a perfect heel position, more that they sit/down quietly and close to you while you perform your exercises. Through repetition the dogs learn their basic obedience in a less stressful setting. Not to insult the 2-legged part of the team, but there is no “performance anxiety” that can make training more stressful. It’s all about getting exercise and having fun, the training component falls naturally into place.

The most basic command is the “watch me.” This teaches your dog to focus on you. Taking one of your yummy doggie treats hold the treat in front of your dogs’ nose, then raise the treat to between your eyes. You should now have eye contact with your dog. In the beginning maintain eye contact for several seconds, then give your dog his treat. When your dog learns the command lengthen the amount of time he watches you.

To teach the sit, ask your dog to “watch me.” When you have his attention take one of the treats, hold it above his nose, and raise it above his head. You may have to gently push his bottom to the ground. As soon as his bottom hits the ground praise him and give him the treat.

  

After your dog has mastered the “sit”, move on to the “down” command. Ask your dog to “watch me,” and “sit.” When he’s sitting quietly take one of the treats and move it from his nose down to his front paws. As soon as his chest hits the ground, praise and reward with the treat. As he improves add the “watch me” from a down position.

 The “stay” command is taught by virtue the dog remains in position while the person is performing their exercises. The dogs learn very quickly to stay while Mom or Dad is performing some silly looking moves. In the beginning you may need to perform exercises close to your dog so that you can correct them if they break command, and perform the exercises for short time periods. But, as your dog improves you can increase the distance between you and your dog, and increase the amount of time spent on command and in exercise.

Walking on a loose leash in an important component in basic obedience training. No one wants to be drug down the sidewalk! Start by holding your leash in your right hand, and treats in your left. As you are walking only give your dog a treat when he’s by your side. In classes we use a variety of fixtures such as picnic tables or benches to weave through, mix up the speed at which we walk, and are taking constant exercise breaks. This variety helps to keeps your dog focused on you. I feel that trying to teach a dog a loose leash walk in a straight line can be an exercise in frustration. Most dogs travel at a faster pace than we do, and the only way to get them to slow down is to pull on them. They pull back and the tug-of-war is on! Because of this I try to constantly vary direction and pace. This variety coupled with constant exercise/obedience breaks helps to slow the dog down and keep them focused on you. They soon learn to walk at your pace, and by your side.

The “come” command can save your dogs life, and is a must-have command. While teaching the command, only give the command when you know you can enforce it if your dog fails to obey. And always generously treat when it is obeyed!!! Start with your dog on the short leash, in either a sit or down position. Walk back to the end of the leash. Give your command, then start to run backward a short distance. Stop, let your dog catch up, and have them sit in front of you. Treat when they are seated in front of you.

Don’t forget the most important part of a training program!!!!! It's got to be fun!!!

Mary Manka

Push Ups n PawS, LLC

The benefits of exercising with my dog.

In my last couple blogs I've introduced the concept of Push Ups n PawS, or exercising with your dog, and given a sample "core" routine.  In this blog I'd like to talk more about the benefits of exercising with your dog, and give you some tips on getting started. 

Lets start with one of the most important benefits, better health for you and your dog. To not mince words, overweight and obesity is considered epidemic  in both people and their pets.  The Center for Disease Control reports that over half of the population is either overweight or obese.  Roughly 40% of the adults in the United States do not participate in any leisure time activities, and less than 1/3 engage in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that 44% of our dogs are either overweight or obese.  OK, OUCH! That may have hurt to read.

The good news is, The Office of the Surgeon General reports that physical activity in conjuction with calorie reduction contributes to weight loss, and that regular physical activity is extremely helpful in the prevention of overweight and obesity and maintaining a healthy weight.

In addition to weight control, regular exercise has been shown to prevent heart disease, control cholesterol levels and diabetes, slows bone loss, lowers risks of certain cancers and helps reduce anxiety and depression. The positive health benefits of regular exercise are almost identical for both you and your dog.  So through exercise you can improve your health, and your dogs'.

Another benefit is a stronger bond between you and your dog, and increased obedience training.  A well-trained and socialized dog is more likely to be viewed as a family member, and to be included in family outings and activities.  These dogs are welcome at the youth soccer or softball game, or on family vacations.  The dog that has not been trainined or socialized is either left at home during family outings, or boarded at a care facility during vacations.

One of the last benefits I'll mention is the savings in cost and time.  With todays tough economic times to pay for a gym membership and/or personal trainer is expensive.  In addition, dog training classes can be costly.  To be able to combine the two saves both time and money.  I find public parks the best areas to exercise in as they have a lot of features to aid in body weight exercises.  They are free, and if you have children they can play in the park while you exercise!

There is little special equipment needed.  GOOD tennis shoes - buy these from an experienced sales person at a store or depatment specializing in atheletic shoe sales.  Your feet are your foundation, ill-fitting tennis shoes can lead to numerous injuries or aches.  Workout clothes for the weather.  A leash for your dog and water for both. 

I would like to caution that this is not for everyone, nor all dogs.  If you have any health concerns, check with your doctor before starting any physical activity.  The same applies to your dog, if they are overweight or obese, or have health concerns, check with your vet before starting them on an exercise routine.  Always start slow, and gradually increase the time and intensity that you workout.  If your dog has moderate to severe behaviorial issues such as aggression, seek the advice and of a local dog training professional.  In the next blogs I'll give some tips on basic obedience commands, and show how to use some of the features found in most parks to blend effective body weight exercises and cardio routines. 

Core Exercises

Having a strong "core" or torso area is one of the keys to having correct posture and good balance. These three exercises can help you develop a strong "core" area. By performing them with your dog you'll get fit, and your dog will get obedient. To add a cardio component was for 2-3 minutes between sets.

Toe touch – Have your dog “sit” or “down” in front of you. Depending on your dogs reliability, you may want to be closer, or release the leash. You don’t want to get pulled over!! This is a surprisingly difficult exercise, but a great one for total leg strength. In the beginning you may want to use a solid object such as the back of your couch for balance, or not raise your leg so high. As your strength and balance improve don’t use anything for support. Bending forward and keeping your back as straight as you can, reach down and touch near your toes. Complete 10 – 12 reps raising your right leg, complete your 2 -3 minute walk, then complete 10 – 12 reps raising your left leg.

Supermans – Lay on the ground on your stomach. Have your dog lay beside you. Raise your arms and legs several inches off the ground. Tighten your stomach and bum muscles as much as you can. Hold for 20-25 seconds.










Seated sit-ups –Use a sturdy chair. Have your dog “sit” or “down” in front of you. Place your hands behind your head. Gently pull your stomach muscles in as tight as you can, keep your back straight, and move your upper body forward.

Try to complete three sets of each exercise!! Have fun!

A new approach - Push Ups n PawS

A basic obedience training program/obedience reinforcement program has many proven benefits for your dog. In addition, an exercise program for you and your dog has many proven health benefits. But many of us have work, social or family obligations such as sports or extra curricular activities that limit the time we can spend with our dogs.
With today’s tough economic times you may have had to give up the gym membership, or if you did keep it, feel guilty about going to the gym and leaving your dog alone for yet a longer time period. How can you squeeze in exercise for you and training for the dog into a busy schedule? How to combine activities to promote exercise, the dog’s basic obedience, and create a bonding experience in a fun-filled, stress-free environment while still fulfilling your obligations? Easy – use a creative approach and combine the three with a fun, interactive program; Push Ups n PawS.

Push Ups n PawS is NOT - just walking the dog or doing a couple exercises. It is a more comprehensive approach that blends cardiovascular/ total body exercises for owners with basic obedience training for their dog. Cardiovascular exercise is designed to improve the owner’s cardiovascular conditioning while improving the dogs loose leash skills. Each total-body exercise is paired with a complimentarily basic obedience command or que. The result is a fun-filled session in which the owner gets a great workout, and their dog learns basic obedience, or receives obedience reinforcement, in an environment that is geared to be fun, stress-free and promote a bonding experience.

There’s a difference between taking an obedience-trained dog for a walk and just taking the dog for a walk. The obedience-trained dog walks quietly and confidently at your side, stops when you do, and waits patiently for your next que or command. Taking your dog for a walk, depending on your dog, can mean a yipping, yapping, jumping (often excused as extra enthuasism) foray to being drug around the park having your shoulder ripped out of socket and dreading the next encounter with a person or dog( he just wants to say “Hi”). The obedience-trained dog ignores distractions such as food/trash, smells, dogs or other animals, while with the untrained, or poorly trained dog, it can be a tug of war trying to pull the dog away or off such distractions. Remember your frustration with the last dog that came running at your dog on a zip-leash - back hair straight up, tail straight out, ears pinned-back, teeth bared, with the owner yelling “He’s friendly!!” In your mind you’re thinking which is cheaper – a visit to the ER or vet?? Push Ups n PawS is designed to help teach your dog basic obedience so that taking a walk is a now a fun activity that can be enjoyed by both, and teaches safe and courteous dog behavior.

By combining total-body exercises with cardiovascular exercise you will burn significantly more calories. Larger groups of muscles are employed and exercised, and conditioning is not limited to specific groups of muscles. Think about it – walking/running is good for cardiovascular, but is limited to conditioning only limited number of muscles. Incorporating a variety of exercises can improve the workout to a total body workout and can increase the level of the workout. Recent studies have shown that depending on the level of exertion up to 600 calories/hour can be burned. If you have a younger pup you are working with, this would be an unrealistic goal, but with a more experienced dog this could be a realistic workout. Your dog is also engaged in a physical and mental activity that will help condition and enhance their life.

Push Ups n Paws means taking advantage of that hour that you had to arrive before sports practice or extra curricular activity, not feeling guilty about giving up the gym membership or feeling guilty that you left your dog at home to head to the gym. You’ve got a spare hour to do something, but it’s not the scheduled time with your professional trainer? It’s about doing something with your dog other than take them to a dog park to play with other dogs while you sit and watch. It’s about spending bonding time with your dog, having fun and exercising.

Push Ups n Paws can be a group or single activity. It’s more fun with a group of free-spirited friends, but the benefits are also there for the single who wants to enjoy the benefits of exercising with their dog. I’m not sure there’s a dog on the planet who would say “No thanks” -“ I’m too tired-I’ve got dinner-Gotta run the kids-How about tomorrow-I’ve got a meeting-whata whata whata” when you grab the leash and ask if they want to go.

Consider it as a good investment, triple your money. You and your dog receive exercise, your dog receives basic obedience and both of you benefit from valued one-on-one time that is geared to a stronger relationship and a better owner and companion-dog relationship.

Push Ups n PawS is of course not for every person or every dog. The next blog will cover some physical activity limitations for owners, and training guidelines for dogs.