Pet Dogs and Cats

By mitroska08 on Nov 23, 2009

Your dog is capable of learning new tricks for many years to come. I agree that basic obedience commands are a great place to start, but you can work on any trick that you like as long as it is something that your dog is physically capable of.

The best way to teach your dog a new trick is to first figure out a reward system that works for him. Some dogs like dried liver, or little bits of hot dogs, or cheerios, or a tug toy, or a scratch under the ears. Pay attention to what your dog really likes and use those things as a reward.

Let's use "sit" as an example. Gently show your dog what you want him to do (gently place him in a sit position) then immediately say "good sit!" and reward him. It will take several repetitions before he realizes that the term "sit" means that he should place his butt on the floor. Also, if you catch him doing the behavior on his own, you can take advantage of the situation and tell him, "good sit!" and give him a reward. This helps him to learn the term.

Be patient, you can't expect him to do what you ask him to if he does not understand the term.

In the beginning, use the reward every time. After your dog knows the term, you can start being variable with the reward. When he sits after being asked too, sometimes you can give him a food reward, but you don't always have to. However, you should continue verbal praise every time he does something that you ask.

Suggestions to teach your dog: sit, down (lie down), off (get off a couch or stop jumping on people), stay, come, shake (like shaking hands), play dead, roll over, turn in a circle. You may want to teach him to jump through a hoop, but make sure you start with the hoop on the ground, so that he just walks through it, and gradually raise it to a reasonable level that he can jump through without getting hurt.

By maltesemama on Nov 23, 2009

No, they are not dificult to house train. First of all having it in your bed at night with a diaper isn't teaching it anything. Buy a create that is the right size. (not too large) but small enough just to turn around in. Keep your dog in that over night. (they won't go potty in it). Right away in the morning, or If it wimpers in the night, take it outside and it should go potty (preferable in a grassy area, dogs prefer that) When it does give it LOTS of praise (Maltese LOVE praise), and a treat. In the day time take it out side ever so (same area)often even if it doesn't go. LOTS of repatition and praise, it will get the idea eventually. (DON"T give up) and if it makes a mess in yr house accedentaly point at it and scold your dog. Then immediatly take it outside to the potty area. GOOD Luck!!

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By :) on Nov 24, 2009

We taught our Shih Tzu how to dance ^_^ Teach her how to beg first and then get her to spin around while standing on her two back feet! It's super cute! <3

"Leave it" is also fun, put a treat on the floor and tell her to leave it, see how long she can go!

"Go to bed" can be nifty, we're also currently working on bow :3

By Mizzou Fan # 6297 on Nov 24, 2009

I got him to sit in front of me. Then I lifted his paw and said "Shake" (whatever command you want is ok, but make sure you're consistent with it). Then I gave him a treat and praised him like he'd saved someones life. I repeated all this a few times and then I tested him to whether he'd lift his paw himself when I said "Shake", without me lifting it for him. He did!

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By Health Tips and Advice on Nov 24, 2009

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By jmistisa on Nov 25, 2009

Your Answer:
Sounds like he is a pretty smart puppy. But it is always a good idea to take any dog to training classes. They can fine tune him and teach him good manners. And if he is that smart, I would also go to advanced training. It would be so nice to get the Canine Good Citizens Award, and it would be something you could be very proud of. It is unusual for most dogs to recieve this accomplishment. Best of luck to you.
Source(s):
Lifelong dog owner and breeder
Horse owner and breeder

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