When I shopped for things for Chloe before bringing her home, I came across this book called "Training your pint sized companion". I was glad I got it because it saved her life. She also learned most tricks easily but I had problems with the words come & fetch. Once I replaced fetch with "go get it", it went well, but no word replacement worked for come, until we worked on "Watch me". I read the book in parts, but one part explained that the first thing you should teach a pint sized dog is to "watch me" . (quoted from the book)The book explained that "IF a dog is looking at you, it can not fight with another dog, chase a car, bark at a cat, become agressive with a big dog, or any other type of trouble he/she could cause for herself. It is physically impossible, it takes eye contact to any of those things to take place. The book explains how "the "Watch me " command also makes other obedience infinitely easier to teach." It states a dog that is looking at you is more likely to learn what you are teaching or expecting, just as kids are more likely to learn when they watch their teachers." I had a hard time teaching her to come UNTIL after I did the "Watch me" training. It was easy to teach by holding the treat between my eyes, then rewarding her for her looking there. The chapter explained it in more detail but that the basic. After she almost got hit by a bus while visiting in New York, I was forever grateful I learned the "Watch me" with her. AND the Yorkie owner who spoke of NOT RUNNING AFTER OUR BABIES is perfectly right, been there!
Happy Training
