Q. How can I teach my dog complex behaviors?

A. The best dog trainers are kind of sneaky. If you watch a professionally trained dog, it seems amazing to watch the dog scamper into their kennel or go lay in a specific place with a mere wave of the trainer’s arm. This leaves the observer thinking that the trainer must teach the dog some complex litany of commands. No. The reality is that the most seemingly complicated tasks all stem from teaching your dog the core commands of sit, down, heel, stay and come. Once your dog has learned the basics, everything else flows easily from that.

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To train your dog to go in his kennel, you first teach your dog to walk properly at your heel. Once they are used to following your lead and focusing on you, it is simply a matter of walking them at a heel on lead close to the place you wish them to go. If you want them to go in the car, you walk them to the car, make a sweeping motion with your arm, say, “climb in” and point to their spot on the seat while guiding them with the lead in one fluid motion. With repetition, your dog will comply without the lead.

Use the same technique for going in the crate, going to their place or simply leaving the kitchen when you’re cooking. It’s all the same command with little tweaks for different tasks. You would also assign different verbal cues to the desired behavior to reinforce the message, such as, ”climb in,” “go to your place,” “kennel in,” or “go away.” Treats are not required.

Always remember that just as a child must learn to crawl before they can walk, once your dog truly masters their core commands, trick training becomes a simple addition to a strong foundation.

About the Expert

Sanford (Sandy) Finley specializes in general obedience training and canine behavioral modification with special emphasis on molding the perfect “family dog” through individual sessions. He is a published author and lecturer on canine behavior with over 30 years experience. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. An active member of the Naperville community, he belongs to the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and is the authorized trainer for Dog Patch Pet & Feed. He holds a national ranking among the top trainers in North America. Visit www.PerfectDogTraining.com or
call 630-420-7070 for info.