Dog Training for Kids: Fun and Easy Ways to Care for Your Furry Friend - Softcover

Marin, Vanessa Estrada

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0593196570 ISBN 13: 9780593196571

Publisher: Z Kids, 2019

Synopsis

Children Will Take the Lead with Fun & Easy Dog Training Techniques

Every child wants a dog, yet not every child--or even grown-up!--is equipped to take on the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. But with the help of Vanessa Estrada Marin, the director of a sought-after dog-training program for kids, your child will have fun being in charge!

Dog Training for Kids breaks down lessons and tutorials in simple steps and easy-to-follow instructions. Kids will have everything they need to be caring and responsible dog owners:

Basic Training Lessons including Stopping Unnecessary Barking, Potty & House Training, Obedience, Leash Training, Crate Training

Essential Commands including Sit, Stay, Heel, Drop It

Clever Tricks including Roll Over, Speak, High Five, and Leap

Super Fun Games including Obstacle Course, Frisbee, Tunnel

And More -- Equipment List, How to Train Your Dog to Be Calm at the Vet, How to Dog Proof Your Home

Whether young dog lovers will be raising puppies, adopting rescues, or getting their first dogs, this all-in-one book will give them the confidence and knowledge to properly train, take care of, and establish a lasting bond with their well-behaved furry friends.

About this title

About the Author

Vanessa Estrada Marin is the director at Frolic, a unique facility specializing in dog-centric programming for kids in New York City. Previously, she was an adoption center manager at North Shore Animal League America. She lives in Queens with her husband, Jorge, and their Chihuahua mix rescue Reyna.

Frolic is a 1,500-square-foot space on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where the interactive and educational are taken to a new level. Truly unique, Frolic is home to four friendly career change service dogs. Visitors come to meet Patience, Chichy, Huxley, and Murray while simultaneously learning about man's best friend from Frolic's dog-loving experts. Frolic supports the community through various after-school programs, camps, specialized courses such as Overcoming Fear of Dogs and Canine Companion (how to have/care for a dog), and birthday parties. Frolic also hosts special events held on-site and off-site. They have worked with Girl Scouts of America and various schools.
 

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

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"DOWN"

“Down” is the command for a dog to lie down and teaches your dog good manners by putting them in the resting position. When a dog’s body is in a resting position, it’s easier for them to calm their mind as well. Think about it—don’t you feel more relaxed when you are lying down? Your dog does, too!

ITEMS NEEDED
• High-value treats in both hands
• A blanket or towel for your dog to lie on, preferably one they already use

Learn this first: “Sit” (page 52)

STEP 1
Lay the blanket or towel down for your dog. Put small pieces of high-value treats into both of your hands and make them into fists. Place one hand behind your back. Using the other hand to demonstrate that you have a treat, lure and call your dog over to the blanket.

STEP 2
Tell your dog to “Sit” on the blanket or towel. Once they are in a steady sit position, kneel down to get closer to your dog’s level.

STEP 3
Just like you did with the “Sit” command, hold one of your treat hands close to your dog’s nose. Slowly move your hand down in a straight line toward the floor or their toes. This technique is called “nose to toes.” The goal is for your dog’s head to follow your hand into a lying down position. Your pup may lick at your treat hand as they move downward; this is okay. Once they lie, use a marker word and give them a treat—not from the front hand, but from the hand that was behind your back. Practice this exercise five times.

STEP 4
Now repeat the exercise using the word “Down” just like when you taught your dog “Sit.” Each day, make your dog lie in the “Down” position a little bit longer before rewarding them with your marker word and treat. Once they have mastered “Down” while you are kneeling, begin practicing “Down” while you are standing up.
Next, do the hand luring gesture without any treats in the luring hand and without going all the way down to the ground. The less you use treats as a reward, the more you can use affection and petting as the prize.

SAFETY!
Only practice this command once your dog has learned to gently take treats from your hand. Otherwise, they may try to use their teeth to nibble at your fist to get the treat!

TIPS

PROBLEM SOLVING
• It is much easier to teach a dog “Down” after they know how to do “Sit” without always expecting a treat. Some dogs will pop right back up in a sitting or standing position as soon as they lie down on command. Try rewarding them for simply lying down for a while when you’re not in the middle of a lesson. Casually walk over to them, use your marker word, and give them a treat. When you practice the “Down” training sessions, they will start to make the connection that only when they stay in a lying down position will they receive a reward.

• It’s important to practice “Down” in different spaces and on different surfaces. Some dogs need their security blanket or towel to remember that they can perform the command in a different setting. So, if you are trying to teach your dog “Down” on a driveway or a grassy surface, start by practicing with their towel or blanket on the driveway or grass, and then use it less often over the next week.

• When a dog is following the lure downward, their backside may go up in the air like in a downward dog yoga position. Sorry, doggie, that’s only half down! Have a helper with you if your dog usually does this. Your helper can gently push your dog’s backside downward (if your dog is okay with this) while you slowly pull the treat toward you, keeping your hand along the floor. Your dog’s body should naturally lie out on the ground as their nose keeps reaching for your luring hand.

Edition details

• Publisher: Z Kids
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593196570
• ISBN 13: 9780593196571
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Harris Alisa
• Number of pages: 176