Now that you children are home for the long vacation how about spending more time with your dogs? It is a particularly good time to give them some basic training. You will need to give short “lessons” everyday. Each lesson should be only about ten to fifteen minutes long.

If he does not already wear a collar, buy one, and a lead to go with it. Don’t forget to get an ID disc at the same time. Put only the collar on first and let him get used to wearing it. Check that it fits properly. You should be able to put two fingers inside the collar when it is buckled. Then put a few treats in your pocket – small pieces of dog-biscuit or scraps of cheese - anything he likes. Clip the lead onto the collar and check that the collar cannot slip over his head. If necessary, tighten it by a notch, just while you walk him.

Set him down next to you, on your left side, and take a few steps forward, starting with your left foot. Hold the lead firmly, with just a little tension on it, but do not drag the dog if he does not move. Instead, hold a small treat a little in front of his nose, to encourage him to walk towards it. When he does walk a few steps, give him the treat and take some more steps. Repeat until he gets the idea of walking on a lead. Apart from giving treats, remember to praise him whenever he does it right, but do not punish him if he doesn’t. Just try again.

Once he gets used to his collar and lead, you can to teach him other basics that he needs to know.