Staff at Jerry Green Dog Rescue in Algarkirk are hoping to find lovely Lily a home

Our friends at Jerry Green Dog Rescue are sharing training tips in this week’s column – along with searching for a home for lovely Lily

Hiya everyone! My name is Lily, and I am just as pretty as the flower! I am a sweet natured, cuddly girl looking for my forever home. I love nothing more than spending time with people, whether its cosying up on the sofa, or playing with my tennis ball!

I am a very smart girl and even have been playing scent games with my friends.

So let me tell you what’s on my wish list. I would like to live with sensible children over the age of seven years (KS2) and have a family that is around most of the time. My friends at the centre tell me there is potential for this to be built up slowly.

I need some help with my toilet training, but I promise I will try and pick it up as soon as I can.

You may have seen from my photos that I do carry some scars from my past life, but I’m still as cute as a button! I would love a secure garden I can bolt around in and stretch my legs, so at least 4ft fencing is ideal.

Although I do not want to live with another dog, I can have walking buddies, as long as they are calm with me. There is potential for me to live with small furries or cats, pending a test!

Anyway, if you love me just as much as my friends do, then call the South Lincolnshire centre on 01205 260546 or email slincs@jerrygreendogs.org.uk.

Don’t forget to leave your number! Bye for now xxx

Teach your dog to drop

Teaching your dog to let go of an item when you ask can be incredibly useful.

Whether your dog loves to play fetch but isn’t so good at dropping the ball or is still a young puppy and sometimes gets hold of items you’d prefer them not to have, asking them to drop the item is a simple and effective cue to teach your dog going forward.

Method:

Step one: Have some small pea size treats ready on hand. Say “drop” then a second later scatter multiple pieces of the food on the floor for your dog to eat. Doing the step in this order is very important.

During this stage we are building up an association that the word “drop” means something nice will appear on the floor.

You will be ready to move onto step two when you say “drop” and your dog starts to orientate their head towards the floor.

Step two: Now you will start to introduce toys/items into the training.

Have an item on the floor that your dog is mildly interested in when they look at it or show any interest. Say “drop” then scatter some treats on the floor. At this point it doesn’t matter what your dog is doing when you scatter the food.

Step three: Introducing more exciting toys.

During this step you want to introduce slightly more interesting items to the training. The items at first should be something your dog likes picking up/playing with but isn’t very excited by (not their favourite toy).

When your dog is interacting with the toy say “drop” then scatter some treats on the floor. Your dog should drop the item to eat the treats. Whilst they are happily eating the treats you can pick up the item and immediately give it back to them.

During this stage you will want to sometimes keep the item and other times keep it away.

Gradually increase how exciting the toy is as your dog gets better at dropping it. If your dog doesn’t drop the item for the treats, don’t worry, just use a less exciting item and repeat more. Practice this stage until when you say “drop” your dog automatically releases the item before you scatter the food, then move onto the last step.

Step four: This last stage is just solidifying what your dog has already learnt.

When your dog has hold of the item or is playing with their toy, say “drop” and wait for them to drop the item, then use your marker word (e.g. “good” to tell them they have done the right behaviour) and drop the treats.

During this stage you are teaching your dog that if they drop the item that’s when the good stuff appears!