Sequence Chart 1: Primary Training Phase
The dog begins his education:
Give the command, showing the appropriate hand gesture.
- The dog does the action correctly. Use the SR (SOUND + GOOD) and give him a treat
- The dog does not execute the command. Ignore him and repeat the command, encourage him to keep trying.
Use this process if the dog is beginning training, that is, he is still in a learning phase, and he has not shown that he under-stands and masters the command.
- Give the command, showing the appropriate hand gesture.
- If the dog does the action correctly, use the SR "SOUND + GOODI" at the precise moment the action is being executed, and top it off with a treat. As the dog is in the midst of the learning process, each correct action is rewarded.
- If the dog does not execute the command, ignore him for approximately 20 seconds. Repeat the command, and encourage him to keep on trying, without exaggerating the encouragement.
At the beginning, it is perfectly normal that a dog has difficulty in interpreting commands. It is important to be patient, and not use the short or the long spray of citronella at this stage. Imagine a teacher that screams at you every time you don't understand something. This would cause you a lot of stress, and wouldn't make you very receptive to learning. The same principle applies to a dog and his master if you practice the following exercises every day, you will find that progress quickly follows.


