Most of the people I Know have only ever taught their dog to sit and maybe lay down and that is it. Dog training classes only teach the basics too.
Are there any really amazing tricks you can teach a dog and how could you teach them. For example in the paper once was a dog who could use a cashpoint and another who would go to tesco each day to collect the shopping, They had not been trained to be guide dogs or anything, it was only what their owners had trained them. Neither of these two things interest me but teaching him to switch on and off a light switch would be handy etc or to fetch different items like a hairbrush etc
Thanks!
Considerations When Buying Dog Training Equipment
Recommended Answer:
Training should be a fun game for your dog - it shouldn't stop him being care free. You should start right now so he knows that you're the one to look for in new situations, and for things he doesn't understand - plus if he's being entertained and worn out by training, he'll be less likely to get into trouble.
You need to give lots of praise and rewards and find out what he'll work for - for example my dog can't focus when there is food about, but she'll try and work out what I want her to do if I have one of her fave toys.
You also need to practice the training over and over, even when he knows it. I practice sit, down, stay etc everyday before I start working on her new tricks - that way you're setting him up for success, and he'll gradually understand that this means its time to really concentrate.
You need to be very patient and try to think "what is the easiest way I can communicate with him" - you also have to be really consistent.
Doing stuff like switching on the light starts with teaching the "touch" command - put out your hand - when his nose touches it, you say "touch" and give him the treat.
Then you can progress to putting a post-it or something on your hand - teach him to touch that on command - than move the post-it to the light switch. Every time he accidentally flips the switch you say "switch" or whatever command you want.
Some people use one of those pointer sticks - like teachers have - and they teach their dog to touch the end of the stick, then they can put the tip of the stick on whatever new thing they want them to touch.
Depending on how smart your pup is and how willing he is to work, you can teach him all kinds of annoying things. Like steal the remote control when you don't like whats on! The most useful trick I have taught her is to ring her own door bell when she needs to go out - its recently saved my carpets in the middle of the night when she had a VERY upset stomach.
I would recommend just getting a book though - try a few from the library or go to the book store and flip through a few till you find one you like - there are very different ways to do it - depends what you feel most comfortable with. One that helps you with a puppy and an adult dog would probably come in handy. Good Luck!!
7 Most Believed Myths About Dogs And Dog Training Dispelled
- My dachshund and I are enrolled in our local Tricks and Manners class. With a clicker you can teach target training which focuses on an object (TV remote) and every time my dog pays attention to it, touches it, sniffs it I give a click and treat. Pretty soon she really wants a treat so she will do all she can to the object. Then I add a word to it - "remote" and click and treat. After a while I say "remote" and "bring". I get the remote as long as it is in her reach. You can do this with any object that your dog is capable of lifting and fitting in his mouth.
- Actually, many training schools DO have trick classes. I know of two in this area.
There are also some great books on the subject, with lots of ideas. - You will want to seek our trick classes or maybe even agility classes rather than obedience classes. Basic obedience only teaches the basics, but there are more advanced classes that you can take, you will just have to make sure that your dog knows the basic obedience first.
Check into your local humane society, as they usually have training programs as well. I know that ours does, and they have trick classes. You can also check into larger dog training academies, as that is where you are going to find those types of classes. Your local Kennel Club will be a good place to try, too. Especially if you are interested in agility.
Good luck! - First of all, I wouldn't give him 'a few weeks'. Training is supposed to be fun. For you, and the puppy. Its a great way for the two of you to bond, and to establish your relationship. Start from the day you bring him home.
There are all kinds of neat tricks you can teach your dog, once you get the hang of the basics, but start with the basics (sit, down, stand, stay, paw, wave, rollover, speak, fetch, out, leave it, take it, go to - etc).
Once you have the basics down, you can start working on the more 'complicated' tricks. These, for the most part boil down to breaking up the trick in to a lot of smaller pieces.
For example, if you want to train your dog to pick up the dirty laundry in the house, and put it in the hamper, you teach him first to 'take' the laundry, then 'go to' the hamper, then 'drop it', repeat. You start in a controlled setting, and then move towards slightly harder once he 'gets it' (for example, start with one piece of laundry in the room, and the basket, then move to one piece of laundry by the door to the room, then maybe its down the hall, then maybe its in a bedroom).
Another fun one to teach is 'get the light', in which you teach the dog to turn the lights in the room off and on (this is an extention of the 'touch' command). Similarly you can teach your dog to ring the doorbell when he wants to come in the house.
Its really only limited by your imagination, but you have to get the basics down first.
Above all else, keep it fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment