Training your dog to perform simple tasks is rewarding and fun for both of you. He can do things for you like bring in the morning newspaper or even fetch the remote control. The techniques are easy and don't require a professional trainer. All it takes is a few minutes a day of special, fun playtime with your dog.

Train Your Dog to Do Jobs

It's very good for your dog to have jobs to do. Self-esteem and mental stimulation are just as important for your dog as they are for you. His over-all behavior will improve and this simple, fun training will deepen your bond and increase your communication. The more he learns, the more he'll enjoy it and the more he'll want to learn. Working breeds like Shelties and Border Collies actually need jobs to do to prevent them from being bored, barking excessively and getting into trouble.

Where to Start

Begin with getting some chewy bite-sized treats, preferably natural healthy treats. You won't want to use big biscuits since they take too long to eat and will distract from your goal. Little bits of chicken or cheese, even small pieces of hot dogs can work well. Though most dogs are "chow hounds" who will go for their treats at any time, it can be best to do your training play (not work!) when your dog is a little bit hungry, as in not right after his dinner.

The first simple skill to learn, upon which all others will build, is "touch" training.

Begin by sitting down on the floor with your dog and giving him a treat to get his undivided attention. He'll want more and that's just where you want him. He has just learned his first behavior, which is paying attention. How easy was that! It's really never any harder than this.

With one hand, touch your dog's nose, saying "touch". Give him a treat with your other hand. It's important that you don't treat him with the same hand you are touching him with. Your touching hand is the object, an object that will in time be replaced by other objects. Repeat this a few times so your dog will begin to associate the word "touch" with your hand touching his nose and then the reward treat.

Now it's time for him to start earning his treat. Holding your hand a few inches from his face, say "touch". Some dogs get it almost immediately, extending their noses to touch your hand. If he doesn't understand, and he might not, move your hand a little closer and maybe even wiggle your fingers a little to get his attention and say "touch". He doesn't get the treat until he does it. Repeat it a few times, moving your hand a little closer each time, but not actually touching his nose again, until he makes the association. When he does and touches your hand with his nose, give him his treat and praise lavishly.

Repeat the exercise, moving your hand further away until he's instantly responding to the "touch" command every time, making it clear that he has learned the behavior. Praise and treat each time. Change the command then to "touch hand" so he'll learn the name of the object, in this case your hand. Move across the room to make him come to you to touch your hand when you say "touch hand". After he's completely mastered it, keep playing but don't treat him every single time, just praise him. This will reinforce the reward.

Your dog has now learned to associate performing a task with receiving a reward. You can now begin to teach him to do most anything within his physical capability. From here, use the touch command to teach him the names of other objects like the paper or remote control which you will follow by teaching him the "give" and "take" commands.

Your dog will be a star in no time at all!