Basic Obedience - Good for You and Your Standard Poodle!
My Poodles are by no means perfectly behaved dogs, but they have been to basic obedience training. I highly recommend enrolling in a training class, as it gives you and your dog the opportunity to bond. It also helps your Poodle to socialize and become a better canine good citizen, both at home and in public. Once you’ve completed basic training, you may find that you and your Poodle want to continue on with additional training in therapy dog training, agility or hunting.
Basic Obedience Commands
The following basic obedience commands are very important when changing behavior problems, as well as being the foundation for everything else you may want to teach your dog. I've included several excellent videos by Melanie McLeroy of Taurus Training Dog Facility showing how to perform the commands below.
Sit - The “Sit” command is probably the most important basic obedience command to learn. It teaches the dog self-control and makes it easier to get the dogs attention. Your dog should remain in the sit position until it is released.
To teach your dog to sit, put your dog on a leash and have it about two feet away facing you. With a treat in your hand, command your dog to “Sit,” holding the treat above your dogs nose. Slowly raise the hand with the treat back over the dogs head towards its tail. As you raise your hand over the dogs head, its head will follow the treat making it lower its hips to sit. When you dog sits, give it the treat and lots of praise. Practice this several times taking a break in between.
Down - The “Down” command when combined with the “Stay” command is a very useful basic obedience command. It teaches your dog to stay still for long periods of time. It’s a good command to use when you want your dog to stay calm and quiet, such as when you’re eating, watching TV, or when guests are visiting.
To teach the “Down” command, have your dog in the sitting position. Show it a treat in your right hand say “Down,” and slowly lower your hand toward the floor in front of its front paws. Rest your left hand lightly on your dogs shoulders as it follows the treat to the floor. If it tries to get back up, your left hand should help keep it down. Once your dog is down, give it the treat and lots of praise!
When you want the dog to get back up, say “Release” to let your dog know the exercise if over.
Stay - The “Stay” command means don’t move. This exercise can be done from either the sit or down position. Your dog should not move until you give it the “Release” command.
To teach the “Stay” command, have your dog in the sitting position. Give your dog a treat and praise it for sitting. Put the rest of the treats in your pocket so your hands are empty. Hold your hand with an open palm in front of your dog’s nose and say “Stay.” Pull backward on the leash toward the dogs tail a little so it won’t want to follow you when you step away. Take a step backwards and release the leash a little. After a few seconds, go back to the dog and give it a treat and lots of praise!
Once your Standard Poodle learns this basic obedience command in the sit and stay position, you can gradually increase the distance and time in which you step away.
Heel - The “Heel” command is an essential basic obedience command to learn in order to have your dog walk nicely on a leash without pulling.
To teach the “Heel” command, have your dog sitting forward on your left side. Hold the leash with some slack in your right hand, using your left hand to control the leash for corrections. Say “Heel” and start walking. After several steps, stop and say “Sit” and pull the leash up slightly to make your dog sit. Give your dog a treat and praise it. Continue walking saying “Heel”. If your dog pulls or lags behind, slightly snap the leash with your left hand and say “Heel” to get the dog back in line. Continue this exercise with lots of sits, treats and praise.
When you are finished with the exercise release your dog, patting, rubbing and praising it so it knows how happy you are.
Come - Your Standard Poodle needs to know that the “Come” command means to come to you on the first call, every time you call.
Put a leash on your dog and hold the leash in one hand. In the other hand hold a box of treats. Shake the box of treats loudly and back away from the dog calling your dog to “Come.” When the dog catches up with you have it sit. Praise the dog and give it a treat!
Using the box of treats often during your training acts as a sound stimulus making your verbal command more exciting.
If your dog responds well to the command, make a longer leash, about 20 or 30 feet and gradually increase the length of the command. Continue to use the treats for training.
Don’t be in a rush to take the lease off your dog. Many dogs aren’t ready for off leash training until they are at least two years old, if they are even ready at that age.
Release - The “Release” command is used to signal to your dog that the previous command is finished. You can also use the word “Free” or "OK" if you like. At the end of the exercise, say the word “Release” in a higher pitched, happy voice and tap your dog on the shoulder.
The “Release” command also releases your dog from pressure of trying to please you during an exercise. Pet, rub and praise your dog when you release it, so it knows you are pleased.
The Well-Trained Dog
A well-trained Standard Poodle is a continuous process and a lot of work, but in the long run, it is worth the effort. You need to be able to emphasize what behaviors your want your dog to continue doing, as well as praise and reward it for good behavior. Once you have mastered the basic obedience commands, your dog will be able to participate in many enjoyable activities with you, as well as advanced training and dog sports. Best of all, a well-trained dog is a joy to have around!
Additional Helpful Training Links
Hopefully the links below will give you additional resources for teaching your Poodle the basic obedience commands and helping him or her to become well trained and an enjoyable part of your family.
Dog Training Classroom
- Dog Training should be short, simple and fun. Teach your puppy or dog on the importance of basic obedience and behavior training.
The Poodle Lovers Guide - Guarantee that YOUR Poodle is given the best upbringing currently available by using these 'Foolproof Methods'.
HappyDog-Training.com -
Free Puppy and Dog Training Info. Everything from potty training puppies to fun dog recipes for your best friend.
"Making the world happier, one dog at a time!"
Dove Cresswell Dog Training - Train your dog the same fast, effective, fun way a professional dog trainer uses to train pet stars in film, television, and commercials.
Dog Training Behavior Tips for Your Puppy or Adult Dog-
Dog training tips about housebreaking, puppy training, & dog behavior will help develop your dog’s full potential - Information articles, dog obedience training books, dog directory & video
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SitStayFetch
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