Happy Year of The Tiger!

The beginning of a new year, and with the recent requests of 'what do i teach my dog FIRST??' The first thing a dog should learn is 'Good!'....I use 'Yes!' or 'OK!'.The word (whatever it is) signals to the dog 'Good job, now it's time for you to get a reward'. Easiest, done with food, so literally in the first couple of sessions for 2-3 days; one would put a bowl of food around the house and say 'YES!' then reach and give the dog food. It won't take long for them to realise that when you say 'YES!' they are going to be rewarded. When we reach a point where the dog responds to the sound IN ANTICIPATION of the food reward, and acts 'happy/licking his lips/eyes wide' we can begin teaching the dog things (such as sit/down/stay etc etc.).By doing this little foundation work, I have a very useful tool to then communicate very clearly to the dog at the exact moment he/she has done the correct and desired action/behaviour.  Dogs at 8 weeks or at 8 years (if they haven't had much formal training) should begin here. And if you think your dog understands 'good boy' already - well, this is not the same.  This is a cue for the dog to access a reward and is NOT 'just' simply praise. By having this cue, it sets the path towards basic to advanced obedience.Over the next few posts, I'll put the basics in teaching your dog basic obedience.Good luck, happy new year, and all the best to everyone for the year of the tiger!