How to Train a Shelter DOG to SIT and LAY DOWN - Basic Obedience - Adopt a Shelter Dog

While shooting my latest Shelter Adoption video series a very nice volunteer asked me to help her with Amiga, a young shepherd / Sharpei / Chow mix. She's a very nice dog and absolutely beautiful, but she's a handful. So I laid out some great training and worked hand in hand with the volunteer on the training. You'll see in this video how quickly Amiga took to the training.
She easily learned how to take treats softly, not to jump, how to SIT and LAY DOWN!
** AMIGA HAS BEEN ADOPTED!**
Please check out my other awesome Shelter Dogs loving for adoption here:
robertcabral.com/adopt
or visit a shelter near you.
My online course for dog trainers is a great resource for anyone wishing to learn more about dog training, aspiring and professional dog trainers as well as anyone who works with dogs whether in shelters, rescues or anywhere.
shelterdogtraining.com
#shelterdog #rescuedog #dogtrainer #dogtraining

[@francesnance9110]

While the volunteers are amazing at loving the dogs, they absolutely need to understand how to work with them in a structured way so they learn basic obedience - which this video does. Thank YOU so very much for being the person you are to help the wonderful volunteers and the good dogs that need a chance!

[@howlingwaters2741]

I have found that some shelters are staffed by youth diverted from justice system. Already troubled kids with bad backgrounds of their own; they tend to internalize and brand the dog based on its own sad backstory. They absolutely need structure, discipline and new perspective s on how to view and *save* the creatures they pity and coddle.

[@PickleMcTavish]

I take my hat off to the lovely volunteer lady - she had an awful lot to contend with there - AND on camera! I think she did amazingly well under the circumstances. Lovely dogs - both of them - and I hope they both find wonderful new homes. It's so helpful to see training for rescue dogs - I see plenty for puppies or for those people who have had dogs since puppies, not trained them and they are now out of control adults. Those of us who rescue adult dogs with behavioural issues can learn so much from your wonderful tuition - THANK YOU!

[@marianeccles6777]

This is an amazing video for shelter dog staff! I am the trainer in a small shelter and I am teaching the kennel techs that there is always hope and not to label these dogs as dog aggressive. I can't thank you enough Robert. Also, I just finished the online Shelter Dog Training course, it was worth every penny. This video should be part of it, so thank you for sharing it with everyone for free.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

thank you so much... and thank you for helping shelter dogs!

[@TonyTsobanis]

Kudos to both of you. The volunteer was a perfect example of the average person who wants to do good by the dog, and with your assistance was developing the skills in real time under pressure (while probably nervous). Hope the dog is adopted.

[@ilyska1977]

Good take, you can see she has all the best intentions for this dog but she is just inexperienced on the psychology and mechanics. She really looked like she was trying hard, it's hard when you're on the spot like that.

[@chrisbmx145]

The engagement you can build with a dog so quickly is satisfying to watch. Clearly speaking the same language as the dogs!

[@jackierusho-pe2mc]

These are my favorite videos. I enjoy watching you physically working with rescue dogs.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

More to come!

[@rockinpranch8173]

This video embodies the concept that dog training is often so much more about training people

[@Donald965]

Mr. Robert, absolutely love these videos. I love how you’re going back to the basic to the Shelter , given the dogs a Voice, the skills. Love these videos every week.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Thanks 👍

[@Jalle6673]

A lot of good information compacted into this one video!

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you think so!

[@TheKak933]

This is so helpful! My dog was trained and we had a great time for six weeks. She was a natural and I use the commands daily, but I’d love to be in more training with her. This class looks great

[@juliusyoohanruz920]

I enjoy This video ❤

[@williammontana3895]

That was great Robert. I love how you also explain the dog's psyche along with the training for a complete understanding.

[@hollissensenig1775]

She’ll be a great dog for someone. The video is great as usual. Very comprehensive.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Thank you very much!

[@Cactuscarlo]

Thank you, Robert !!! This is amazing

[@RobertCabralDogs]

Glad you like it!

[@AlBundyy]

Lol. Aww. She seemed so confused and nervous. (The shelter volunteer.)

[@AlBundyy]

Loved the video! Learned a lot as always! 😢 my work schedule has changed and although I can work with my dogs periodically- I don't get to as much as I used to. They are still good dogs. But not as good as I want them to be. Hopefully, that will change soon. Your videos definitely motivate me to work with my dogs and make them the best that they can be. 😊 Thanks for the time you (and Janet) put into making videos for us so we can help our dogs live good lives. ❤

[@beverlyherbert3460]

I volunteer at a very overcrowded shelter that unfortunately is FF. No prongs etc. Many dogs are euthanized for this one thing: jumping up and biting the leash making it difficult for staff to handle . Could you do a video on how to manage this? The soon to be killed dogs would be so grateful.

[@2bzyblack]

He explained in the video, redirection giving the dog by another task, calming yourself (the handler) and ignore the behavior. It was all in the beginning of the video.

[@beverlyherbert3460]

@@2bzyblack Thanks. Don’g know how I missed. Will go back and look.

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot4523]

Robert, I've been watching you for years and I've learned techniques that helped me condition dogs' behaviors which in turn helped them get adopted. Thank you very much for giving me skills to put in my 'toolbox'. I never would have helped many of the dogs without your tutorials and podcasts. I saw Amiga's tail was wound up tight and over her back during most of the face to face interaction with the other dog. I know that could be just a trait of the breed in some cases. Would you consider pushing down her tail slightly to change her mindset in that moment? I don't know if it's a proven fact, but I've done it with some shelter dogs, and it seems to snap them out of their intensity towards the other dog. I'm just curious if you feel that is something worth including in that type of interaction based on your experience? Thanks for such awesome videos and your commitment to the shelter dogs. Sadly, occupancy at shelters across the country is near maximum.

[@judiemaguteledge7578]

Amiga is smart but needs assertive direction. What a good dog she will be for someone!❤

[@RobertCabralDogs]

So true!

[@dchiffy]

Great bid. This lady is super sweet. But she needs to calm down. That will calm the dog, and her

[@TrollingHistory]

Shes funny. Bless her i think shes hust nervous and wants Robert to keep bending over infront of her really.

[@dgoeb1509]

First!

[@user-qs9mc8ui2z]

Dark brother 97

[@robin212212]

her issue is common to a lot of dog owners, they are afraid to be a leader to their dog and just want to be best friends of it. They are afraid to correct the dog so the dog has no idea what is expected of him. She is also too submissive to the dog; why she keeps on saying "good girl" to the dog regardless of what the dog is doing confuses the dog. When she goes to pick up the dog's leash and just says good girl for no reason is a prime example of this. And she talks to much to the dog. The dog just learns to tune you out if she hears you talk all the time for no reason.

[@user-xr1tr1dc6q]

I adopted a dog from the shelter too and she had the same problem. Sweet to people but she lunges like that if she sees other dog. My problem is when she suddenly lunges too strong, she’s getting collar burns 😢

[@lorriecasteel6083]

I got a prong collar and trained my 85 lb dog on it first. Now at 2 yrs old, she behaves almost perfectly on a regular collar with just a few pops of the leash every now and then. Some people don't like them, but it was the only thing that worked for her.

[@user-zh6ib3nw7c]

Who cares what ignorant people like?@@lorriecasteel6083

[@robeccs]

You would think that these shelters be open minded for the dog's best interests. They should invest to new technologies and techniques to best equip their staff and volunteers. As in this video the volunteer lacked the trained eye to handle these powerful dogs. She could have been seriously hurt herself along with the dogs. Lucky Robert was there to over see their process.🍻✌🏽

[@Shinovatis]

06:48 Teach the dog the skill to get adopted, don¨ t love them as a victim!!!

[@whiskybrush3219]

"Dont love them as a victim." This should start with stopping referring to them as a rescue. The word evoques all kinds of negative connotations that place both dogs and people in a negative headspace that can only be filled with extreme coddling and love, when in reality what is often most needed is structure and boundaries so that the dog has a space and environment that is primed for them to thrive.

[@oscarpalacios7198]

Second chance to shelter dogs

[@Hunnydropps73]

Those shelter workers are totally not people who know how to work with dogs. Im shocked at their inexperience and lack of knowledge.

[@RobertCabralDogs]

This is a volunteer. But very similar with shelter workers. Sad part is that society frowns on giving these dogs the structure they need.

[@lindas.martin2806]

Many shelters are poorly, if at all, publicly funded and I would assume the pay scale is minimal. If people want better shelters and better trained staff, citizens need to attend their city council meetings, put an item on the agenda, speak for the time allotted, in some cities, 2-5 minutes, and meet before or after with their City Council representative, with solid suggestions. The vote speaks loud.

[@heavystacks80]

I preach to clients everyday that your dog sees you as the cool roommate not the leader until you give them structure. Dogs are smart and will take advantage of you lol.