Well, it's been a while since this was posted and you got some really good advice. So, how is Sadie getting on? I'm with most of the answers here -- especially the ones about one command. Did you know that your dog will learn to count and will respond on the command # whatever (the one YOU finally make the dog do whatever the command was)? Having shown in obedience classes and worked with dogs for years, one of the things I used to tell my students is one command only. If the dog does not respond right away (or at all), you place the dog in the position and then praise like the dickens. BUT, let's look at how you are giving the commands. Are you doing it in a questioning voice? In a quiet voice? Are you doing it out of frustration? Are you using the same commands for the same things all the time? Is everyone else in the family using the same commands? Have you had the dog's hearing checked? Frequently, it is difficult to get the dog to respond to a command if she/he doesn't think you mean it or they think you'll repeat the command x number of times before they have to obey. It is probably best to do your basic obedience work on leash even in the house. That way, you have a "handle" on the dog. Use your "karate voice", that is, the strong, firm voice that comes from the diaphragm almost like a karate yell. One word commands are best like, "sit" vs. "sit down". Down is the usual command for lie down and could be confusing to the dog if used in conjunction with the sit command. It doesn't matter if you use "boo" to mean sit, but the key is consistency in commands. Whatever command you use for each action, it must be the same command everytime from everyone that interacts with the dog.

I, of course, advocate obedience classes for socialization purposes and for help working with the dog, but it would be best to go to one where positive reinforcement is the rule rather than the more physical methods of jerk and pull. For instance, while Sadie is on the leash, you would take a treat and make her aware of it in your hand. Keeping the leash steady, give her the sit command and bring the treat up and over her head so she has to lean backward to keep track of it. Eventually, she'll sit because she can't crane her neck that much. Give her the treat immediately and praise her. Keep on this track for about a week of 15 minute sessions daily and she should have the sit in hand (or paw). The following week, put her in the sit and with a treat, give her the down command and bring the treat down between her front paws and slowly drag it out forward. You may have to put your hand on her backside to keep it down, as she will most likely get up and walk after the treat. As soon as she "downs", she gets the goodie.

The down and the stay are the two hardest commands to teach any dog as the former puts the dog in a submissive and vulnerable position and the latter is very etheric and hard to "show" how to do. But, persistence, consistency and patience will work wonders.

The first command we used to teach at PetsMart was the "watch me" command. It would teach the dog to look at you and give you her attention. It is not always easy to teach, either, because eye contact is usually a challenge in the dog world. However, if you use feeding time as a training time for this command, she will learn it fairly easily. Reward her for the slightest glance at you to begin with and then expect a bit more. Once she will look you in the face, make sure it's a pleasant face to look into. She will not be willing to look at an angry or frustrated face for long. Look pleasant, give her a piece of her food for complying and lots of "What a good doggie"s. Then, after a few minutes of this, put down the food bowl and let her enjoy her dinner or breakfast in peace.

Well, another book posted. I'm sorry, but I do get carried away (no pun intended, Carrie). I am passionate about this type of thing and want to help all I can. So, how is Sadie doing?