Company discipline

1. The subordination towards the master

It is an element which is learnt in preliminary training period. Dogs are social animals which live in groups. So, the hierarchy is very important. If the dog doesn't learn from the beginning that the man is its "leader", the dog will try to impose and to lead.

2. The reward

The reward can appear in the first months of the dog's life. There are many types of reward: with food, petting, orally - saying "bravo" or with the toy. The reward is done every time the dog does what the master wants. This way, he will make a connection between fulfilling a command and something that it likes. Altogether, the reward consolidates the relationships between master and the dog. It is the basis of the whole training.

3. Getting used to the muzzle and the leash

It is a good thing to get the dogs used to a collar and a leash since they are small, and the large breeds even with a muzzle. They have to associate these things with something good. That's why, at the beginning, the dogs will be rewarded with food or petting. Then, they will accept the collar, the leash or the muzzle happily, associating them with the pleasure of going for a walk.

4. Going pace in the leash

The dog will learn how to go pace in the leash, next to its master, in his left side. It doesn't have to pull the master, but to walk, being careful at the master; the leash mustn't be tensed, but easily relaxed. The dog won't be allowed to take the leash as if it were a piece of toy, shaking it.

5. On heel

The order "on heel" is given every time it is necessary to correct the position of the dog next to its master. As we have mentioned at going pace in the leash, the dog must be in the left side of its master, having a right line next to him. "On heel" is done in two ways, more precisely: touring the master (on his back) or directly.

6. Coming when calling (Come here!)

The dog will be used with this order, at first, showing it the favourite toy or a piece of meat. If it comes, it will be given as a reward that toy or the piece of meat and it will be praised and petted. If it doesn't come, we will take a long leash. The moment that we give the order "come here", the leash is easily pulled, showing it the toy or the food.

7. The forbidding order ("No!")

This order is ideal to be taught with the collar and the leash. We can also work without it, pulling the dog from the nape. Every time it is necessary, we pull the leash with a short move, associating it with the order "No!". The tone has to be firm and imposing.

8. The correction of the aggressive mood when eating

Some dogs are very protective when it comes to their food or toy, showing its aggressiveness to the person around it, even if that person is their master. The correction is done with the leash, every time it is necessary, until its behaviour changes.

9. The orders "Stay", "Sit" and "Down"

The order "Stay" is practiced at first with the leash, going pace. The order is given and in the same time we put the right hand on the eyes of the dog. It has to stop going and stay. We pet the dog with the left hand from the shoulders and we praise it. After the dog has learnt this order from the leash, we pass further and practice it without a leash, giving it the order from distance. The dog has to stop doing anything. Usually the "Stay" order is followed immediately by another command as: "Sit", "Down", "Come here" or "Wait". After learning the order "stay", you can pass to teaching the dog the order "sit", first from the leash, using food as a stimuli: while you give it the order, you show it a piece of food, which goes about 20 cm above its head. The dog will follow the food with its sight, and of course it will take the position sit. After that the dog will be rewarded with food and praised. For the position "down", you can do the same as "sit", but this time you put the food on the ground level, in front of the dog. For the position "down" you can push the dog just a little when you show it the food. When the dog is in the required position, it will be rewarded with a piece of food and praised.

10. Socializing in public places

From the first months of life, the dog will be taken out in public places, first in less crowded areas, watching its reactions (scare, intimidation, aggressiveness). The dog will be encouraged every time it is necessary, when it gets scared from certain thing – noise, cars, and dogs. It will also be corrected when it gets aggressive.

11. Changes of rhythm and direction

The aim of the change is that of getting the dog used to stay near the master, regardless his rhythm. This way, the master does sudden rhythm changes, giving the dog the order "pace". If the master runs, he will give the order "run". Changing the direction is practiced with the same purpose, keeping the dog next to its master, in this case giving the order when the master changes the direction suddenly.

12. The order "wait"

The order "wait" is used when the dog has to keep a position for a lot of time. It can be executed from the previous orders "stay", "sit" and "down". This order is practiced at first from the leash. Then, gradually, we can increase the time of waiting and the master's distance. It is important at first to let the dog see the direction in which we go further from it. After that, the order "wait" is done also if it doesn't see its master from its sight.

13. Not following orders from strangers

When the master is there, the dog must execute only his orders. If another person gives orders to the dog, it has to ignore it, looking for the master's sight and waiting for his orders. When the dog does not respect the orders given from the stranger, the master will reward it.

14. Refusing food

The master will tech the dog to accept food only from its master. If it is alone, the dog should eat only from its bowl. When we learn the dog to refuse food, we also use non-violent methods, correcting the dog from the leash and speaking.