It’s extremely useful to teach your dog a “Back” command.  This comes into it’s own when you are answering the door – rather than your dog rushing to the door and you ending up on the floor, you can control how visitors are greeted.

Hold a treat in front of him and wait – he should start to move around, click and treat any backwards movement.  He should then come back to you for the treat.

 Repeat this and eventually he will get the idea he must step back for the click and treat.  When you are happy he knows the behaviour, turn your back on him.

He may come to the front of you, use a treat and motion behind you.  He should follow this – click and treat. 

Another method is to start with the dog in front of you but with your legs stood apart.  Put the treat through your legs and let the dog go to get it.  He has to move back to look at you, as soon as his legs move back, click and treat.  The knack is to manouvre the dog into performing the action so you can click to show its what you want.

 Work this up until he in consistently going back from you – when you are happy, introduce the command “Back”.

Down

 To teach the down, luring is extremely useful.

Place him in a sit then, hold the treat to his nose and draw it closely down his chest to the floor.  His instinct should be to follow this. Even if he only goes down slightly (e.g. lowers his shoulders) click, treat -  he's going in the right direction. 

You can also use offered behaviour – if he lies down of his own accord – click and treat. Once he knows the position, raise the odds (click and treat every twice etc.) and then work for the fastest down (only click and treat the most responsive.

Once you are happy with this, introduce the command "down".

 Finish (Right Hand is best for Rotts and other clumsy mutts!)

The right hand finish is better for larger dogs as you could end up on the floor with a left hand!  However, if anyone want to teach a left hand finish – contact one of our training officers who will be happy to help.

Place your dog in a sit directly in front of you. Use a treat or toy in your right hand and step back with your right leg – go as far back as necessary to get him on his feet!  As soon as he moves to your right, click and treat.  Work this up until he is making a concious effort to be on your right hand side.

Raise the odds – when he moves to your right, step forwards so his natural reaction is to move behind you (use a treat or toy in your hand behind you if it helps) – as soon as he goes behind you, click and treat.   Work this up until he is happy to go behind you.

Raise the odds again – we are now looking for him to come right round you and onto your left.  Use the lure again to encourage him, click and treat as soon as he comes to your left  Work this up until he is happy to go right round you and onto your left.

Raising the odds, yet again!  We now need him in a sit on your left – wait for him to come round you, then raise a treat over his head to incline him into a sit – click and treat.  Work this up until he is going round you and straight into a sit on your left.  Work it up to a reasonably fast pace.

When you are happy with his performance, introduce the command “Finish”.

You could also teach this with the target stick.