Train Your Dog
There are a few basic commands that are important to teach your dog straight away. These commands will provide you with some control so if at any point during his life you feel he is out of control, you will have something to go back to. Dog training takes a lot of patience to ensure that the dog always has success and therefore enjoys the training.
Dog training should be a positive experience for you and your dog. If your dog doesn't perform an exercise to the standard that you expect, instead of being mad or punishing the dog, go back to something that they can have success in.
The amount of times you repeat an exercise in one session will depend on your dogs personality. For example, a Collie will happily repeat the same exercise over and over without getting board. A German Shepherd on the other hand will loose interest very quickly. Until you learn to read your dog, the obvious sign that you have done the exercise one time too many is when your dog starts to make mistakes, that he wasn't making the first time you did the exercise. It is important to finish each training session on a good note so this may mean doing 6 x 5 minutes a day rather 30 minutes all in one go.
Below I have given 2 methods for teaching the basic commands, however there are more which you can learn by going to dog training classes. A general rule for any dog training is 'say it once, make it happen'. If you dog doesn't respond to your command the first time, do not repeat it until you have put them into the requested position.
Teach your dog to SIT
This command is important for maintaining control in many situations. For example, it is a good idea to command your dog to sit before giving him, his dinner. When you walk through a doorway make sure you always go first, with your dog waiting in a sit, stand or down position before following you.
Method 1. When you are at home your dog will sit of its own accord at various points during the day. You can use this as an opportunity to associate the word 'sit' with the action of sitting. When you can see the dog about the sit, get ready and as soon as his bum hits the floor praise the dog with 'sit, good sit'. The next stage would be to say your dogs name and when you have his attention give the command 'sit'. Make sure you are close to him when you say it. If he doesn't sit then you know he doesn't associate the word yet with the action so gentle place him into the sit position and praise. This takes a lot of patience, but once the dog responds on command, you can start adding distractions. Eventually the dog will sit on command anywhere. As with all methods, the day that the dog doesn't respond, take the training back a stage. As you make the exercise harder the rewards will need to be greater. Decide on a toy to use only for training and only let him play with it when you reward him. This will give the toy higher value. Alternatively use treats to reward your dog.
Method 2. Cast your mind back to school and remember when it was hilarious to walk up behind one of your class mates and push the backs of their knees making them involuntarily sit down as their legs gave way? Well a similar thing can be used to put your dog into the sit position. It works well with most dogs. When teaching the sit for the first time you want your dog to associate the word with an action. As you say 'sit' you hold your dogs lead in your right hand while using your left arm to gently push the back of the knees until the dog starts to go into the sit position. If this doesn't happen that easily, it is probably because you are pushing in the wrong place. Once the dog is in the sit position you can praise the dog with 'good sit'. Then after a few seconds use a release command, like 'ok', and have a game with your dog. This will keep the training fun. To start with just increase the length of time that your dog is in the sit before breaking them off for a game. Next start adding distractions by repeating the process in the garden, then going to the local park. When training your dog only change one thing at a time, so if you are adding new distractions don't try and increase the length of time your dog sits for at the same time. If anything go back to getting them to hold the sit position for a few seconds.
Teach you dog the Down
This is a submissive position, so it is essential that your dog is happy to submit to you by going into the down on command.
Method 1. If your dog has a favourite toy or titbit then start by placing him into the sit position (not using the 'sit' command as this would confuse him). Then using the toy/titbit in front of the dogs nose slowly move your hand (with the toy/titbit in) towards the floor then forward along the ground. The dog should go down to get the toy/titbit. You can keep your free hand on the dogs rump to prevent his back end popping up. When your dog is all the way down give the command 'down', then praise him with 'down, good down'. If you are using a titbit give him the reward while he is in the down. If you are using a toy give lots of verbal praise in the down position, then after a few seconds release him with the 'ok' command and have a game. As with the sit command, you can then work on increasing the length of the down and start adding distractions.
Method 2. As with method one start by placing your dog in the sit on your left hand side. Then hold his collar with your left hand and place the palm of your right hand face down on the floor in the space behind his front legs and his back legs and slowly move your hand forward sliding his front paws as you go until he is in the down position. Then say 'down', and praise him with 'down, good down'.
Teach your dog to Stand
The hardest of the 3 positions as most dogs want to move when they are standing. This is an important command when you take your dog to the vets to be examined, or when you are grooming him.
Method 1. With your dog on your left walk a few paces with you using the lead to keep your dog close to you. Then stop, take a half step forwarded (so your dog doesn't automatically sit) and stroking the side of the dog say 'stand', then praise the dog with 'stand, good stand'. Keep your voice low so that you don't excite the dog, which may cause him to move. If he starts to sit then place a flat palm under his stomach, but do not apply pressure. Gradually increase the time he holds the stand position for and add distractions. Also practice stepping away from your dog while he is in the stand, using his lead to prevent movement, then step back to him. This will make sure he understands the command.
Method 2. If you have a pedigree dog and plan to show him, you will want him to stand in a particular way for long enough so that the judge can run his hands over the dog. The best way to teach this is to plant the dogs feet into position and then using the lead to stop him moving hold a titbit in front of his nose so that he can just reach it. All the time he stays still but it trying to get the titbit you can praise him with 'stand, good stand'. If he moves, you stop the verbal praise and remove the titbit from view immediately, reposition him and repeat. Build the length of time you keep your dog in position up gradually, concentrating as much on the positioning of the stand as the length of time that he holds the position. Then only when you are 100% happy with the positioning, start adding distractions.