We’ll be approaching our obedience training program as a piecemeal quilt, that is to say, that any one point has got to fit within the entire context, and as you develop skills, you may “mix and match” commands to suit your needs or situation at that moment.
But we do have a procedure that is very much like the kind of steps you would follow as though you were starting your car or computer system.
These steps are like your keys to your car or password to your files.
It’s unlikely your dog, when trained, will listen to anyone that does not approach the “control panel” to his mind, without the “keys” imbedded in this series of commands.
He’ll understand that anyone asking business of him is not approved, without “them keys.”
Practice on a daily basis should not exceed four minutes to accomplish the exercises.
Practice needs to be performed at least every second day. With problem dogs, this is critical.
If you are using this training to suffice your dogs emotional needs, whether it be anxiety from separation, aggression, or stress from any source, the benefits of this exercise will wear off in three days, at least until some time down the road.
Also, dogs do tend to forget a lesson if it has not been re enforced for several days.
After the initial labrador training period, practice may be limited to once a week.
When your dog is fully trained, and his behavior is not an issue or goal for improvement, a brief exercise should be formally done once a week, later once a month.