The Lassie Method - How to Have a Happy Dog

i'm good you're watching the nation's best known dog trainer ron weatherwax his son robert and america's favorite colleague lassie at work [Music] but most dogs can have happier fuller lives with their owner's health according to who feel that every dog deserves good care lots of love and at least some training [Music] hi sometimes i'm surprised by people who don't believe in training their dogs they tell me they don't want to break their dog's spirit that's a lot of nonsense a trained dog is a happy dog fame lets him know what's expected of him it gives him a chance to show off to earn your love it may even save his life if you really love your dog and i know you do you want your hand into training a lot of ways to train a dog i call my word the lassie methods i train more than 1500 dogs with it including lassie and this lassie is the fifth generation let me share with you a few tips about raising your dogs starting with that wonderful wonderful day you bring home your new puppy if there's no one alone to hold the pup during his first trip home use an open top box with a towel on the bottom and be sure to impediment me after letting your pup visit the grass outside it's time for him to get to know the family in this case my grandson robbie and my wife you'll notice we use a standard baby's play pin for the club's first month at home it protects him and our furniture and helps with house breaking [Music] when he's not outside or exploring the house under your supervision he's safe there while getting used to his new surroundings [Music] when your puppy is not out of the plate pin i suggest keeping a short length of size cord attached to his collar it provides an easy way to get him out of those tight spots that puppies can find remember that a new pup doesn't know what's expected of him yet and especially affection it's only natural for us to want to play with objects they discover but some things like shoes and slippers will be off limits as cues this thing might strike you it doesn't pay to put off an early discipline lesson i know most matters of discipline with what i call my mean talk sessions and even if pops and learns to respond to a certain tone of voice in place of a no-no a substitute for anything like an old stocking that you've not enough gives a puppy chance to test its curiosity and strength it's not reasonable to start rigorous training until a is six months old but i like to capitalize on even a young pups energy and alertness again what i call my foundation training the first step in foundation training is teaching the recall or come here exercise it's the most important single command you'll ever teach your dog notice a slightly longer size core i give the come here the man in a clear voice and then use the cord to teach the puppy to come to me and you see i give him plenty of love and praise when he does the teacher puppet said give the command sit while holding the size cord up and press down on his hind quarters until he assumes the sitting position [Music] until he's lying down along with praise dog training treats help the water job well done [Music] at that time a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel is a reassuring source of warmth for your puppy [Applause] we're going to take an alarm clock in the playpen and even leaving a radio nearby at a low noise level and also be helpful in dispelling some of the loneliness and fright your may experience in these first nights in the new quarters for that cheek pup up to a good start last is ready to help me demonstrate some points i'd like to make training a grown dog requires a leasing special collar commonly called a choke chain i prefer calling a slip chain it's critical to form this chain properly and place it on your dog properly a mistake could cut off oxygen this chain permits a necessary jerks that tighten the chain for a fraction every second during corrective action one of those who have carefully learned the correct method for handling his scholarship healing or walking beside you is an extremely useful action for a dog to master the dog who is healing properly walks on your left side as lassie is doing here the dog should be six to eight inches out from your leg destroyed match to yours regardless of how you value the pace his neck should be on a plane with your knee and he should never forge a head or lag behind he should sharply execute all turns with you whether they are to the left to the right or full of our face there are several ways to teach a dog to heal you can learn how from a good book a friend who already knows or in the dog training classes found in most areas should you need to teach a full-grown dog to sip exercise our pup began earlier or if your dog needs refresher lessons on various commands you'll find the same instructional techniques using apply by the same token i continued to use both praise and training treats following performances and trained workouts and most dogs including lassie seem to really enjoy earning the reward putting lass into the lie down position is done the same way as in our pups foundation training there will be times too when you want your dog to stay down for extended periods we call this the down state [Music] parting block in his vision with your hand incidentally can block out distractions and help him concentrate to train the dog to hold us down the stay position i walk around repeating the command until they learn to remain that way and go call it even if i'm out of sight the patient you should be able to teach your dog to keep the downstate position for five minutes or more [Music] teaching your dog to come is much easier of course if he's learned the basic command and foundation training the growing dog you'll want an extra length race to keep him out of control during the training process if he ignores your light tubs given with a command or gives you resistance a put your tug on the leash will music get results now isn't lassie a great demonstrator you know lizzy is a regular member of our family but we feel that we share lasting with families all over the country these are a few awards that have been presented to lassie and that's my favorite photographer out of all the problems that have been made speaking of awards though this is a lassie gold award it's given to dogs that perform meritorious acts that give special meaning to the condition that man's best friend is his dog but let's get back to some of the tips that are part of the lassie method some dogs are born diggers and can make your yard look like a battlefield to break this habit i put rocks into tin cans that i've tied together take plastic tops on and create my own noise maker [Music] throwing the cans creates a sound that usually stops the digger leading your dog back to the spot where he's done the damage and following up with a mean talk station would ordinarily break it all of this happened it may be necessary to keep the cure three or four times but always show the cans covering away from your dog's head and eyes very common bad habit that many dogs have is jumping up on their masters or anyone who approaches any talk may help followed by the affection that he was looking for in the first place but if the habit of tending shout no bring her knee up into his chest each time he jumps common problem encountered by many dog owners is the nature of some dogs to set up partner owling when their masses leave them alone this deserves neighbors and others and obviously shouldn't be tolerated [Music] i found that playing and leading staying within earshot and then coming back to reprimand the barker for music break this happened the dog who hasn't learned to be content when his master and the family away is for everyone concerned patience firmness and love can overcome most of these nuisance situations and keep most of us contained the content dog who gets good everyday care is always a joy good everyday care of your dog is the most important part of the lasting method and it's really easy you just have to give your dog plenty of love and play and exercise a good balanced diet and proper daily care if you do you'll probably stay healthy and happy and in good condition for years to come most dogs love to chase a ball and bring it back to their master and last is no exception it's a simple and effective way to exercise your dog especially if you live in an area where his exercise opportunities are limited along with seeing that your dog gets exercised don't neglect the grooming that every dog needs to stay at his happiest most presentable pets while different breeds require different prices and types of grooming attention all dogs should be priced daily or a minimum three times a week [Music] if it's just kept well groomed i don't believe in bathing in too frequently taking your dog's weight and overall temptation is an art every dog owner should learn no matter what lifestyle is involved standards apply in every household with dogs such as keeping a supply of fresh water available at all times and observing consistent feeding practices using once a day for the grown dog dogs need more than me so i personally feed a balance out of meat and vegetables i see each two cans a day or more it has been a particularly active day it's important not to let it go overeat a growing club on the other hand must eat more often and of course in small amounts i match up poopers fall apart as often as four or five times a day and briefly add milk or pattern i gradually increased the feeding and roast twice a day at six months and once they leave when they're a year old [Music] whatever your dog's age of general condition i believe in periodic visits to the veterinarian for a thorough professional checkup while i've learned to handle a variety of my emergencies myself i look for my own veterinarian and matters affecting life's continuing physical well-being just as i look for a family doctor an important family health matters [Music] there's no substitute for a good veterinarian an increasing number of women are now joining the many find men in this profession so notice that one of these ladies is administering this booster shot to last [Music] well seen a few highlights of the lassie method raising training and caring for your dog is patience earnest and love is it all worth it well actually think so and so do i your dog is happier you are happier do your day together well you're just great [Music] you