Teaching IGGYCHAN to sit
Firstly, take a treat or toy to get iggychan’s attention and hold it in front of her nose.
Gently take the treat from in front of iggychan’s nose to behind her head, taking the treat over the top of her head.
This should get iggychan to sit. Don’t push her bottom down but you can gently place your hand on her back and say ‘sit’ as she moves into a sitting position – just try again if she does not get it the first time.
As soon as iggychan’s bottom hits the floor, make sure you praise her and reward her straight away. That way she will associate the reward with sitting.
Gradually, your dog should learn the command and you’ll be able to phase treats out.
Teaching IGGYCHAN 'off'
Whether you want to stop iggychan from going on the sofa or to keep trying to put her paws on the table, ‘off’ is a useful command for her to learn:
Firstly, if iggychan is jumping up because there’s something she wants on a table or counter, remove the item so she is not tempted.
Don’t shout at her for jumping up as she could see any attention as praise.
When she jumps up on something you don’t want her to, use a treat or toy to get her attention.
Once all four paws are safely back on the ground, give her lots of praise and her reward.
Once you’ve done this a few times, start to add the command ‘off’ when you are luring her down with their reward. Remember to only give her a reward once all four paws are on the ground.
Eventually, you can start to just use the command ‘off’ when she jumps up on something she is not supposed to. If she does not respond the first few times go back a step.
You can start to phase treats out once she is consistently responding to the command ‘off’.
Teaching IGGYCHAN to come when called
Make sure you have your dog’s favorite reward for this. You should practice recall training somewhere quiet so your dog won’t get distracted at first, so they get used to the command.
Start in a secure area. Make sure your dog knows you have their favorite reward but isn’t hanging around you for it!
Walk away from your dog, then say their name and say ‘come’. Try to make their treat obvious at this point!
It will help to get on their level. Always use a positive tone so they know coming to you when called will be a good thing.
Reward them when they come to you and give them lots of praise.
Keep practicing this somewhere quiet and secure. When they’re consistently responding to ‘come’, practice in a quiet public place like a park (make sure this is secure, too!).
At first, start just a few feet apart and gradually increase the distance as your puppy improves.
It may take some time and patience, but your dog will eventually come to you every time they are called. Some owners prefer to use a long, loose lead out in public for recall training just in case!
Teaching IGGYCHAN bathroom time
Daily routine
Take iggychan out first thing in the morning for a toilet break and encourage her to poo and wee outside. It can help to have iggychan on a lead at first to avoid any chance of her running around exploring and not focusing on the fact that a toilet break is due. It’s also helpful to use a word that your iggychan can associate with going to the loo, like ‘hurry up’ or ‘toilet’.
Take iggychan out every 2-3 hours during the day. Remember that she only has a little bladder and is not used to having to hold it in. She will be able to hold it better as she gets older and will need fewer toilet breaks.
Give iggychan a toilet break shortly after each meal, as she will need a poo not long after eating. It’s a good idea to take her outside when she has just woken up, too. Puppy play can also make them need the loo, especially if she gets really excited. Take her outside straight afterward or give her a break halfway through a play session.
Rewarding iggychan
What to do if iggychan has an accident in the house
Never punish iggychan for having an accident inside the house. It’s not her fault: she simply hasn’t been given enough opportunity to go to the toilet outside. Clean the area thoroughly and use it as a valuable learning experience!
It’s a good idea to learn the signs iggychan may show before going to the toilet e.g. circling and sniffing the floor. This is your cue to take her outside and praise her for going to the toilet where you want her to.
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