Dog Training Tip of the Month

• Playing Fetch - September 2006

  Playing fetch helps you build a good relationship with your dog. This simple game lets your dog interact with you and expend energy in a constructive manner. Dogs that do not get enough exercise and/or dog training can often be hyperactive and engage in destructive behavior. Playing “fetch” is easy and is a fun way to exercise your dog. Those who train dogs know that “A tired dog is a good dog.”
  
  Here are some steps for teaching your canine to fetch. If you have difficulties after following these steps, you may consult an animal trainer; however, it may simply show that your dog does not have as high of a prey drive as you thought.
  
  1. Select a retrieving toy the dog likes to place in his mouth. Some dogs prefer the feel of certain toys over others.
  
  2. Place the retrieving toy a few inches in front of the dog’s mouth and move it around in a playful way to encourage him to reach out and grab it.
  
  3. When the dog will happily grab the toy out of your hand, place the toy a bit further away than before and entice him to grab it. Once he does, start running backwards, guiding the dog toward you while verbally praising him. Be excited about the dog running toward you with his toy and lavishly praise him when he reaches you.
  
  4. Teach the dog to release the toy once he reaches you using a simple dog training technique – try trading him for one of his favorite treats. If the treat is yummy enough, most dogs will happily accept the swap.
  
  5. Repeat this exercise until you can toss the toy on the ground and the dog grabs it and returns it to you.
  
  6. A leash may be needed initially to guide the dog toward you but can be removed once the dog understands the game.
  
  With some stress-free training, you and your pooch can be playing fetch in no time, bonding while getting great exercise. Your dog trainer would likely encourage owners to play fetch because of its interactive qualities. Have fun!

• “Give your Paw” or “Shake” - April 2008

  Teaching your dog to give you her paw or to shake hands on command is a cute trick that is both impressive and endearing to onlookers. To teach this trick, some dog training is required, though you may not need to consult your professional to master it. Dogs who are prone to “pawing” (using their paws to play and/or to gain attention) are best suited for this trick, though other dogs can be trained easily as well. Once this trick is mastered, there are variations that can be taught, including the “high five” and the “wave.”
  
  Let’s begin with some simple steps as instructed by well-known dog trainer Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz in her book, The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book (Adams Media Corporation, Avon, Massachusetts; 2003). For this exercise, you will need a good amount of yummy, strong-smelling treats and a clicker.
  
  1. Determine what gets your dog to paw at you and utilize it to get her to lift her paw. If she is not prone to pawing, try scratching her chest, holding a treat in your fist at nose height, or touching her toenails with your finger. Try using your outstretched hand as a prompt. Once the dog’s paw is in the air, immediately click and treat. Your animal trainer can help you with perfecting your click/treat timing.
  
  2. Repeat this process 15 to 20 times or until the dog is readily offering her paw.
  
  3. Leave your hand outstretched for the dog’s paw and wait it out without prompting. As soon as she lifts her paw, click and treat.
  
  4. If the dog is not lifting her paw after a few seconds, repeat a few more repetitions as described earlier until she associates lifting her paw with the click and treat.
  
  5. Try connecting the cue (your outstretched hand) with the behavior (the dog offering her paw) by showing your hand and clicking and treating when the dog stretches out her paw.
  
  6. Once the dog is offering the behavior on a regular basis, you can add the verbal cue “give your paw,” “paw,” “shake,” or whatever you choose. Remember to be consistent. Again, your dog trainer can help you with choosing your training cues.
  
  7. Practice this trick in a variety of places and under several different circumstances. If the trick is not working, simplify things once again by practicing at home with few distractions. Be careful not to overwhelm your dog.
  
  8. Avoid repeating yourself over and over; give one cue, wait for the dog to respond, then click and treat.
  
  9. If you are having trouble with any of the above steps, consult your trainer for dog training tips and advice.
  
  If your dog is not responding consistently every time, try practicing more repetitions under low-stress conditions. Ask your dog obedience trainer for some simple advice and have him/her help you with your timing. Set your dog up to succeed and she will learn to do this trick consistently.

• How to Teach Your Dog “Speak!” - July 2010

  “Speak” is a fun dog obedience exercise for you and your canine companion to enjoy, one that will be both entertaining, and educational for your pooch. Learning how to bark on command may be a little bit tricky for your pal at first, but can be accomplished easily with dedication, repetition, and maintenance.
  
  • The first thing that you will need to do is create a stimulus. In order to train dogs to do this command, they need to be excited. You should begin by playing with him. A game such as fetch or tug of war will create enthusiasm, thus making him more likely to be attentive to your commands. If he is energized, it will be easier to reinforce the positive rewards of the training.
  
  • Once your pooch is riled up, cease the prior play, and reveal to him that you have a treat in your hand but do not give it to him. Instead, start by holding the treat behind your back. If your pooch begins to whimper, but does not bark, try waving it around. Revealing, and then re-hiding the treat again will also cause him to react with sound.
  
  • As soon as he barks, reward him with praise, and a treat. Then, repeat the second step using the cue word, “speak”.
  
  • Another tip for positively reinforcing this behavior is by keeping your voice at the same tone and volume level, each time that you make the speak command. That way, your dog learns to associate your positive tone, the reward, and the praise with the desired action, thus making him more likely to repeat it.
  
  • The most important aspect of this training exercise is repetition. Just like any other cue, memorizing the command will make it easier for your dog to understand what you are asking him. By spending a little time each day going over the steps with him, he will pick it up quickly, and be less likely to forget over time.
  
  Through this exercise, you will be able to educate your dog in one of the many positive tricks that he can learn, and keep his mind active and stimulated. To learn more fun tricks to practice with your dog, consult your animal trainer.
  

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