Obedience

Every dog needs obedience training. Havanese are one the best breeds at it!! So, here's a page to help you along training your dog for a C.D. title.

For a C.D., or Companion Dog title, your dog has several things to do. Below they are listed with instructing to teach them.

First a basic note or two - NEVER hit your dog. With 'mean' dogs it gets them more aggravated, and with a dog that's trying, it discourages them farther. A firm "No" is usually adequate to tell your dog it did something wrong.
Also, you should use POSITIVE reinforcements. This means when your dog did something right, like sat or came when you told him/her to, you praise it, tell it how good it is, and give it a treat. Most dogs like to be petted, but food is good. The first time you are working with them, give them food every time, then as they get better, ease off the food. You still should give them food once in awhile, but not every time.
Also, there is controversy over whether to say "Good Boy/Girl" or "Good [Command]" (like "Good Sit"). I use good boy, but it doesn't really matter what you say, it's how you say it. A High-pitched, exited tone works for more active dogs, and a low, soothing tone works better for more mellow dogs.

Now, let's get started!

1. Release

This command is vital. You should use it always. I use "OK." When I say that, Clover knows he can get up, and that he's done it right. NEVER release your dog with praise - this could lead to a "Good Dog" in the obedience ring meaning, "Oh, I can get up now." It also puts you in more control, so you decided when the exercise is over, not him. Just say "OK" or "Release" or whatever after he's done then praise and give him food. Trust me, it works.

2. Sit

The most basic of all commands is the sit. Though there are multiple ways to teach it, the way I find most affective follows. Holding a treat in one hand let your dog see what it is. As you move the treat back over its head, gently push down on its rump and say "Sit." Between the food and the push, you dog should fold into a sit. After about a second of him sitting, tell him "OK!" give him the food and praise him lavishly. After a few tries, he should be sitting by himself. After he is sitting by himself, try stepping back and telling him to sit. If he doesn't within a second, step forward and say "no" firmly and put him in the right position. DO NOT repeat the command in these early stages, as they can learn to ignore the first command but obey the second. Keep this up until you are several feet away when he obeys, then across the room. When he is really good, you can be out of the room or 20 feet away. Remember to release him and praise him!

3. Down

Once you have mastered the sit, move on to the down. With your dog in a sit, take a treat in stick it in his nose (not literally!) When the treat has his attention, move it to the ground and say "Down." If he follows it to the ground and lays down. Hold his gently down for another second then say "OK!" and let him get up and praise him up. If he doesn't lay down, put the food down and gently take his forelegs and lift them, so he sinks into the down. Hold him down for a second, the release and praise him. Soon, you won't have to use the food lure, and proceed from there to a point you can be anywhere and he'll lay down.

4. Come

Of all the commands, this one is the most likely to save a life. Have your dog sit (on leash) say "Come" and pull him towards you, and when he is in front of you, tell him to sit. After a second, release and praise. Keep doing this, and when he comes perfectly from a short range, move back. This requires the 'stay' command…eventually, you should be able to call him from anywhere and have him come and sit in front of you. Then, take off his leash and do the same. For this, I recommend you keep food in your pockets at all time…the soft kind most dogs prefer. After a long while when your dog masters indoor come, take him outside in an enclosed place and practice outside comes. Be forewarned, dogs that are perfect inside tend to be worse outside!

5. Stay

Having your dog stay when company comes can save a lot of embarrassment. Tell your dog to lay down. Tell him stay, and slowly stand up. Step on his leash so he can't get up. Stand right in front of him for a second, then step off the leash, release and praise 'em up. Repeat this until you don't have to step on the leash anymore. Once that is accomplished, walk around him, but stay close repeating, "Stay, Stay, Stay" then stand so he's on your left side and release. After you can move around, try moving farther away, and/or not say stay as frequently. When he has mastered down/stay, try sit/stays. These are harder because the dog isn't as comfortable. Have your dog stay when people walk in the door, before you go outside, etc.

6. Heel