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Chapters 3 and 4 would be the best places to get the most training tips from WOODS DOG. While I didn't write the book as a "dog training book," there are many concepts within that could be helpful to you if you are searching for information on dog training.
Sit
The ‘sit’ command was our first. The Larry Meuller book said to put one hand on the pup’s chest and the other on the pup’s lower back and add a little pressure as the word “sit” rolls out of your mouth. I did this. At first Ranger wanted to walk backwards with this pressure so I slid my hand on his lower back a little lower to halt the backwards motion. Within seconds, Ranger was sitting. Of course, I knew what Larry Meuller suggested at this point – to combine the commands “sit” and “stay” and teach both at the same time. Well, without wanting to, I was in the midst of teaching Ranger two commands, not just one. When Ranger would sit at my command, I would be sure to have my hands on him so I was able to keep him sitting until I gave a “release” command. When I said “release” I would remove my hands and he would get so excited and run all over the place – back and forth through the apartment – usually sliding into and splashing his water dish at some point. I thought we would start simple, but in reality we learned “sit,” “stay,” and “release” in a very short time. Actually, he had them down in a matter of 3 or 4 short sessions over a couple days.
Stay
While Ranger was learning that “stay” was to be inherent in “sit,” he also had to learn “stay” by itself. Sometimes I would make him stay in a non-sitting position. Additionally, I used “stay” to reinforce a “sit” command if I knew that I would expect an extended staying period. A puppy’s attention span is very short. I utilized short training sessions, maybe only 10 or 15 minutes until he was over 3 months old. It seemed that his most difficult time with the “stay” command was that his short attention span did not allow him to “stay” very long. He sort of forgot what he was supposed to be doing and would get distracted easily. I didn’t challenge him to stay in one place more than 10 seconds or so when he was very little. I gradually lengthened the amount of time I expected him to stay in one place and we gradually lengthened our training times as he matured. Ranger got to the place where we could be walking down the street and I could tell him to “sit” and “stay.” I could then leave him, unleashed, and go into a store for 10 minutes or so and he would still be there when I returned.
This type of obedience took practice and the practice became fun for us. Often, I would challenge Ranger throughout the day to “sit.” At first I would walk away from him, but stay in his sight. I would get 100’s of feet from him before I gave the “release” command. As Ranger matured, I would even get out of sight as I walked away. At first, Ranger had a hard time with this. The first couple times I noticed that Ranger would move forward and re-sit so that he could see me again but still feel like he was obeying my sit command. After a few sessions, I think he relaxed and began to trust that I would always come back for him. He began to know that even though I was out of sight, he could remain calm and obedient and trust in my return. In Ranger’s late years, I once made him “sit” and “stay” beside my pick-up truck. We had been working in the woods and he was getting very tired, very hot and noticeably sore from the morning in the woods. I left him at the truck at 1:30 pm and returned at 4:30 pm to find him laying down, in the same spot where I left him, sound asleep.
In challenging Ranger constantly, I began to realize that there may be times when he would not be able to hear my “release” command. For instance, maybe I wouldn’t want to shout the command for fear of spooking game, or maybe I would be too far from him for my voice to be loud enough. Anyway, I began to combine commands with him. This is how Brian taught Linck to know his “sign language.” During our training sessions, I would say “sit” at the same time I would put my right hand up in the air. Then I would say “stay” with my hand right out in front of me and facing him. Then, after a short time, I would say “release” and clap my hands. This accomplished the task of Ranger learning multiple commands, both audible and silent, for the same action. Eventually, I added a whistle sound to the list of commands for “release” to cover a situation where we were separated by a great distance.
Come
Because I was at least trying to stick to some real basic commands, “come” seemed like an important one that I didn’t want to miss. In fact, at the time, I felt that this was maybe the most important command we trained with to this point. I could really see the usefulness of “come” in my mind’s eye. For instance, what if a real big and mean looking dog was quickly approaching and Ranger happened to be off his leash, as was generally the case. Or what if Ranger and I walked upon a mother bear and her cubs in the woods and I had to get Ranger out of there quickly. Or, what if I saw some other type of danger approaching, such as logging equipment, which was common, or a simpler vehicle like a pick-up truck on one of the woods roads we frequented. Yes, I noticed the value in “come” right away and was anxious to get started, however, “sit” and “stay” seemed more basic and I am glad we laid such groundwork before we started on “come.” It gave us a chance to get used to each other – he got used to my ‘command’ tone and our training sessions, and I got used to his learning speed and his attention span.
My first order of business in teaching “come” was to get a really long, light rope. You see, this was going to be a little different than a simple “release” command. I didn’t want him to think he could just go anywhere or feel free when I gave the command “come.” I needed him to actually come right to me – the whole way – when he heard my command. So, I used the rope, as Mr. Meuller suggested, and I would say “come” and start pulling on the rope at the same time. I kept pulling on the rope until Ranger got the whole way to me.
It should go without saying, but maybe I should clear up a common misconception at this point…the command is singular. In other words, as long as you are certain the dog heard your command, no matter which command you gave, don’t repeat the command. For example, I didn’t say “come” and start pulling on the rope and then continue to repeat “come” several times until Ranger got to me. I wanted Ranger to know that our relationship was based on me giving a command and him completing the task. When the task was finished and done properly, the praise was his and he really seemed to live for that praise after a while.
Another point should be made here. I think it was Mr. Meuller who warned against ever giving the dog a command that it could not complete. For instance, if I were on top of a large cliff and Ranger were at the bottom, I should never command the dog to “come,” because it would be impossible for him to obey. The same is true if Ranger would be in his kennel in the bedroom and if I would be in the kitchen and say “come.” There would be no way for Ranger to get out of his kennel to obey, unless I went to him – the opposite of what I wanted to accomplish.
Ranger and I would go to a large field near the Tupper Lake School – the home of the Lumberjacks. The field was out back and we rarely had any distractions. I would command “sit” and he would sit down and stare at me on high alert, as if preparing for me to slap my leg and say “release” as I had done so many times before. This time however, he had the rope tied to his collar and I gave a new command, “come.” I simultaneously slapped my right hand on my right thigh in order to teach a non-verbal command at the same time. So, in Ranger’s world, “come” meant the same thing as me slapping my right leg. When I gave the command that first time, Ranger looked bewildered. He more or less ‘released’ from his sitting posture, but was unsure what to do because at the same time, he heard a different word and saw a different motion. Well, the rope came in handy. With my command, I started pulling him in with the rope. I did not have to drag him against his will. Actually he quickly submitted to the rope pressure and started trotting with my effort. I don’t think he really knew what was going on, but he trusted me at this point and if for no other reason, he was coming to me for clarification.
We practiced the command “come” maybe 10 or 15 times that session, then of course, we reviewed a few things from the sessions before and then we went to the river. Most of Ranger’s favorite places are near water. In fact, when there is water, Ranger has usually found a new favorite place. I liked to reward his training efforts with fun and Ranger always spelled fun W-A-T-E-R. He would run and splash and jump and paw and roll and swim and sniff and lick and drink and then do it all over again.
See WOODS DOG for a lot more training concepts that you can easily implement with your buddy. |
