{"id":142,"date":"2010-02-19T04:08:51","date_gmt":"2010-02-19T04:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doggroups.com\/?p=142"},"modified":"2010-02-26T03:01:50","modified_gmt":"2010-02-26T03:01:50","slug":"first-step-to-obedience-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doggroups.com\/dog-training\/first-step-to-obedience-training\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Step to Obedience Training"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The first command and one of the hardest for a new puppy to learn is the \u201cWatch Me\u201d command. This should be taught before any of the other basic obedience training commands is started. The \u201cWatch Me\u201d command is used to get the dogs attention.<\/p>\n

The reason the \u201cWatch Me\u201d command is so important in a training program is because if an owner does not have the dogs attention, how is it going to listen? This is a very difficult command because puppies tend to want to play and listen when they prefer. By teaching this command, your dog will learn that you need its attention when told.<\/p>\n

The first step for teaching this command is to start the pup playing. What you play is not important, the main thing is to get the puppy paying attention to playing and not you. While playing take a treat with a strong smell, such as a cutup hotdog, and wave it in front of the pups face. This will get the puppies attention immediately. Once the pup is interested move the treat to under your chin and say \u201cWatch Me\u201d. Wait until the puppy looks at you in the eyes then praise it and give it the treat.<\/p>\n

As the puppy begins to learn to follow the treat and has a general idea it should look at you when you say \u201cWatch Me\u201d then the training should be taken to the next level. While playing with the puppy, place the treat at your nose and say the \u201cWatch Me\u201d command. Wait for the pup to look and then treat. After a little while of this the puppy will begin to recognize the command.<\/p>\n

Finally begin to wean the pup from the treats and simply praise them for looking when commanded. In no time at all you will be able to have your pups attention, no mater what it is doing. Remember that different dogs learn at different rates and to keep training sessions short. The most important thing is for you and your pup to be having a great time with each other.<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discuss training in our dog training forum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Find other training tips in our Dog and <\/a>Puppy Training section of the site.<\/p>\n

This article is Copyright \u00a9 DogGroups.com and may not be reproduced in any format without prior written consent of the owner. For additional dog articles visit DogGroups.com \u2013 All dog breeds welcome<\/a>. If you would like to reproduce or submit an article, please contact webmaster@doggroups.com
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The first command and one of the hardest for a new puppy to learn is the \u201cWatch Me\u201d command. This should be taught before any of the other basic obedience training commands is started. The \u201cWatch Me\u201d command is used to get the dogs attention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n