Training Your Daschund Just
Might Save His Life
The first time Bernie and Max bolted out the door, I thought for sure my heart would stop right then and there.
I watched helplessly as they ran past my driveway and into the busy street without a care--and certainly without looking at the cars whizzing past. I screamed. I screamed their names. I screamed "stop!" I screamed "no!" I even screamed "help!" Max and Bernie just thought it was great fun, and they kept on running.
By some miracle, the cars going down my street were not doing their usual 45 mph in a 25 mph zone. By the grace of a few alert drivers, I was able to catch Max and Bernie before any harm could come to them.
As soon as I got us safely back into the house, I made my way to the telephone and managed to dial Kathy's number without letting either dog loose. Kathy is the owner of Small Dog Rescue of Chico, California. She was the one who adopted Max and Bernie out to me.
I felt embarrassed and ashamed to let Kathy know just how miserably I had failed to keep Max and Bernie safe. But I had no choice. I needed help. Max and Bernie had to be trained. And it had to be done quickly.
A Lesson In TrainingKathy told me to forget about fancy training programs. Those programs charged hundreds of dollars while promising to take your dogs into the woods somewhere for specialized training. Even if it worked, Kathy said, it doesn't mean the dog will listen to you when it got home. Dogs react differently to different people, places and circumstances.
Kathy also told me to forget about fancy tricks like shaking hands, pleading, talking or rolling on command. Even sitting is not an essential command.
While all these tricks are cute, they do not mean the difference between life and death. "Teach them the essentials first," Kathy said. "Then, when you have time, you can teach them the rest."
Great advice. I am happy to pass it on to you.
The Three Key CommandsEvery year, countless doxie parents lose their untrained pets to drivers, bicyclists or other hazards. I could easily have been one of those statistics. I was lucky, and then I got smart. I understood my doxies had no idea of the danger they put themselves in. They just count on me to protect them and to keep them safe. I take that responsibility very seriously.
I quickly learned there are only three commands every dog must know to remain healthy and alive. The sooner you teach them to your dog, the better. It can mean the difference between life and death.
So, here's what your dog absolutely needs to know:
Training Daschunds Made Easy (Or Easier Anyway!)Daschunds have a well-deserved reputation for stubbornness, so don't think training them will be easy. The best tip I can give you is that doxies learn through repetition. Lots of it. Practice every chance you get. And be sure to practice in different locations, such as on your walks, in the car, and just as you are about to feed them.
Remember your daschund has a short attention span (don't we all?), so keep your sessions short. You should spend between 5 to 15 minutes per session, and no more than 2 or 3 sessions per day. But do it every day otherwise the little tykes "forget" what you've been trying to teach them.
What training method should you use? There are probably more training methods than doxies willing to be trained! Some methods are ineffective, inhumane or downright dangerous. The Doxie Dames strongly discourage the use of choke, prong or electric collars. Some of these devices have been known to cause serious neck, spinal and windpipe injuries. Yes, we understand in the hands of a trained professional they may have some legitimate purpose--if the dog is big and aggressive and no other methods have worked perhaps. But doxies? Definitely not! There are far better and more humane ways to train a daschund.
The Doxie Dames are committed to using positive reinforcement training methods. The method was popularized by Karen Pryor, the internationally famous marine scientist turned dog (and cat) trainer. Positive reinforcement training calls for us to reward our daschunds for their good behavior and ignore their "bad" behavior. A reward is typically a food treat, although some people train using a clicker. The most important thing to remember is that training sessions must be short, sweet, and fun for both of you. Otherwise, you just won't do it often enough to be useful.
Positive reinforcement training is particularly effective with daschunds. Well-socialized doxies are such love bugs that being ignored by their parent is the worst of punishments. Using this method has the added benefit of strengthening our relationship with our pets.
Remember, no training method will work over the long term if you don't have a good relationship with your dog. So keep working on that relationship!
Where Do You Go From Here?Make sure your dog understands the three key commands before you do anything else (Stay, Come and Leave It!) You'll find plenty of practical training tips here to help you, but some of you may find you need even. That's why The Doxie Dames have teamed up with SitStayFetch, a professional dog training company headed by Daniel Stevens.
SitStayFetch provides some of the best downloadable programs we've seen on the internet. What's more, SitStayFetch shares our philosophy on how doxies should be treated. Just as important, their company provides the kind of service and experience we demand for members of our community (see The Doxie Dames Pledge).
We've asked SitStayFetch to give you a FREE taste of what's available, so they've put together this 6 day dog training and behavior program for you. Just sign up below and see for yourself.
ConclusionYour doxie is depending on you for the training that may save her life. Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed. Focus on the essential commands. Make the learning fun. And watch your relationship with your doxie blossom!
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