Owning a puppy is such an exciting journey! Naturally, you want to give them the best start in life and help them grow into a well-behaved adult dog. So, it’s no surprise that one of the first questions you might have is how to approach training and which skills to focus on first.
The key is patience and dedication. Training can be challenging, especially depending on the breed. but with our Collies, we will concentrate on their strengths and natural abilities to guide their learning process for you. Remember, every bit of effort you put in now will pay off in the long run and set you up for the next more advance training!
Teaching your dog to sit is one of the first things many owners tackle. Here’s a simple and fun way to do it:
- Grab a treat or toy to get your pup’s attention and hold it in front of their nose.
- Move the treat from in front of their nose to just above their head, guiding it over the top. This should naturally encourage them to sit.
- Avoid pushing their bottom down. Instead, you can gently place your hand on their back and say “sit” as they move into the sitting position. If they don’t get it right away, just try again.
- Praise and reward your puppy as soon as their bottom hits the floor. This helps them associate sitting with positive reinforcement.
- Gradually phase out treats as your dog learns the command.
Remember, patience and consistency are key. Happy training!