The Scottish Terrier is a spunky, alert little dog. This breed may be small, but isn’t a lap dog. The Scottie has an independent streak and rarely develops extreme separation anxiety. If you’ve never owned a Scottie before, you may think that your dog is starting to growl aggressively at you when he or she wants something, but this is actually the way that these dogs “talk” to people.
Despite all the photos of Scotties in lush gardens that you see in magazines, Scottish Terriers are diggers and can do some serious damage to a garden. These dogs also do quite a lot of chewing as puppies. Mine actually tried to chew up the 100 year old wooden floor boards in the kitchen, the baseboard trim, and any number of children’s toys. Imagine what an unsupervised puppy could do. Be sure to fence off important garden areas and provide plenty of chew toys for your new Scottie.

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Teaching your new puppy to recognize its name is the first type of dog training that you will most likely experience. You can use the following simple and easy tips to train your dog to know its name.

1. When choosing a name, keep it under two syllables. Using one or two syllables makes it easier for your dog to recognize and easier for you to say.

2. Your puppy will want to follow you around constantly. As this is happening, say his or her new name repeatedly. The dog will become used to this sound.

3. Crouch down and pat the ground in front of you as you say the pups name. “Here BoBo, here BoBo” When the puppy comes to that spot then praise it with petting and affection.

4. Call out the dog’s name with every interaction you have with it. For example when you play with it – call out the dogs name repeatedly. The same goes when you are feeding it, brushing it, laying next to it, etc. Each time the dog looks up at you after calling out his or her name – pet it and praise the dog with love.

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This dog trick may be an old one, but it is still fun. It is extremely simple to teach as well. Most pet owners can teach this trick within a day if done repetitively and with positive reinforcement. In a nutshell, all you have to do is run through the following motions using a a treat and a small amount of pressure to get the dog down in the “dead” position.

Shout the command “BANG”, while pointing one hand like a gun, and coax the dog down on its side with your other hand. Once he is laying down, give the dog a treat and praise him enthusiastically.

Repeat this process at least ten times, or until the dog gets used to laying down. Eventually, after many times of doing this over and over the dog will look forward to immediately laying down on its side when hearing “BANG!”

If you would like to teach your dog to play dead from the sitting or standing position, then simply get your dog’s attention by calling his name. Then go and lean over him as you initiate the “BANG!” command (pointing your finger of course). Once the dog lays over, then give him a treat and plenty of praise.

Repeat this process again but stay about 2 feet away from the dog. Keep repeating the process further and further away and before you know it your pet will perform the trick at any distance so long as it hears you say “BANG!”

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