If you've adopted a stray dog, or an older dog from a shelter or rescue center, it is possible that the pet may have been neglected or abused before becoming part of your family. These dogs may be extremely timid, nervous or frightened during normal activities such as when you pet, feed, groom or walk the dog. Training a dog with such a past requires patience, understanding and gentleness. However, those are key to training any dog. Before you begin to train the abused dog, you must build the pet's confidence and help the dog to overcome the timidity.
Instructions
1. Crouch down or sit on the floor. Tell your dog to come. When the pet takes any movement toward you, or even looks toward you, praise the dog.
2. Continue this exercise a few times each day until the dog comes all the way to you consistently when you call him. When the dog makes it all the way to you, give him a treat and pet him on his chest.
3. Hold your hand over the dog's rump and tell her to sit. Do not push on her rump or force her in anyway. In most instances, the dog will look up at you. Praise her and tell her again to sit with your hand on her rump.
4. Give the dog a treat when he makes any movement toward sitting.
5. Continue this exercise a couple times a day until the dog learns to sit on command.
6. Introduce the next skill you want your dog to learn once she has mastered the "sit" command or consider taking her to a basic obedience course.
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