Dog Training - Pet Tricks Training
Topics: dog training, dog, dogs
Teaching your pet tricks is easiest when you work with their nature, not against it. Most dogs are eager to please and respond enthusiastically to rewards. Teaching tricks is often as much a matter of simply using those rewards to direct or build on a spontaneous behavior as it is teaching an entirely foreign one.
Watch for spontaneous behavior close to the one desired. A dog will sometimes crawl on its belly for no apparent reason. It may be scratching; it may simply be having fun. If this is a desired trick, watch for the beginnings of the behavior, then be prepared to associate it with a hand gesture and voice command, then reward immediately.
Teaching the basic ’sit’, ‘come’, etc commands are usually simple. A few repetitions with a treat or verbal praise and the dog learns rapidly. Teaching tricks can sometimes be as easy as expanding on the basic behaviors. ‘Come’ can easily be transformed into ‘walk in a circle’. Abbreviate to one word, such as ‘circle’ or ’spin’ for example.
At first it might be helpful to use treats to encourage wanted actions, but don’t overdo it. Diets spoil easily, and ultimately you want the dog to respond to verbal command and praise without food rewards. After the command-behavior pair becomes automatic, treats can be withdrawn.
Favorite toys are a good way to encourage certain tricks. Take a short rope the dog loves to play tug with and encourage a jump by moving it rapidly up and down, just out of reach. Then, after the command-behavior pair is established forgo the rope and just use your hand.
Hide-and-seek is another game easily taught using a favorite bone or chew ball. The dog’s sense of smell is keen not only close up but at surprising distances. Take advantage of it by hiding the toy under a box a few feet away, then lengthen the distance, remove the box to another room or place it up on a table. Proceed in stages.
Dogs’ affection is a useful trick training aid. Many spontaneously want to offer a paw to express themselves. Put the dog in a ’sit’, and then kneel down in front of him. Hold up your own ‘paw’ and give a command ‘five’ (for ‘high five’ or ‘give me five’ or ‘paw’, whatever works).
Sometimes the paw comes up right away, for others you may have to gently pull it up using the voice command at the same time. Praise anyway, once you’re in position. Put the paw back down and try again.
Extending tricks is easy, too. Start with one ‘high five’, and then extend into ’sit pretty’ by taking the paw and lifting gently. The other will often come up spontaneously. Hold both and praise and reward. When sitting at the desk and I want mine to sit pretty, I often pat my chest and up he comes followed by lavish praise.
Training tricks should be fun, both for you and the dog. Other training is for safety, control, discouraging property destruction, etc. Tricks are strictly to give you and your friend something to laugh about. Enjoy!
Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers.
Find out how cute the dog in your life is at www.PicturesofmyDogs.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Dog Training - How To Stop Chewing (1)
If the dog moves toward it, jerk the leash sideways quickly and firmly and give a loud 'No!' Be sure to jerk sideways, not back. A dog's neck muscles are very strong, but throats can be too easily bruised.
Dog Training - Crate Training Pros And Cons (2)
Provided certain 'rules' are observed, there's probably no harm, and possibly some good, to be had from crate training. Even proponents recognize that excessive lengths of forced crate time is bad for the dog.
The Importance Of Enrolling Your Dog In The Right Training Class (3)
A big disadvantage can be overcome when the training is held outdoors. More dogs can be accommodated and there is no problem about quarters in which to work. When the training is done indoors, it is impractical to work in a room smaller than 40 or 50 feet square.
Does A Dog Learn Through Many Repetitions Of A Training Activity? (4)
Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at www.PicturesofmyDogs.com
Do Dogs Learn By Trial And Error? (5)
He reacts based on that immediate sensation and his actions are very often effective simply because he's responding to the way nature is organized, his instinctive reflexes mirroring this same organization.
Does Your Dog Have Problems With Fighting Other Dogs? (6)
Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at www.PicturesofmyDogs.com
The Smartest Way To Buy Tattoo Designs (7)
2) How much can you afford to buy a special tattoo? What is your budget for a tattoo? The complexity of the design, color, size, detail, line art, quality of the tattoo designs and the skill of the tattoo artist would the platform for you to calculate your budget.
Dog Training - Training Assertive Dogs (8)
For those who need extra discouragement, try the following. Watch the dog's face and body carefully for tell-tale signs signaling an imminent jump. Discourage the behavior with voice commands ('stay' or 'down') and a palm thrust out and down into the dog's face.
How To Change A Tire In 7 Steps (9)
Other times, you are unable to contact help in a suitable amount of time and no one seems friendly enough to stop and offer help. All of these circumstances add more to the reason of learning how to change your own tires.
What Is A Slipped Disc? (10)
Topics: dog, dogs, aging dog, aging dogs Very often a dog will suffer spinal damage from degenerative processes. This is usually referred to as "slipped discs," but they are not really discs at all, and they have not really slipped.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
How To Teach Your Puppy To 'Sit-Stay' (1)
Do not think that he is dumb or spiteful. Be kind, firm, and patient with him. Say "No," then walk him back to exactly where he was sitting.
Training Your Dog - Pros And Cons Of Control Tools (2)
An instantaneous pull-and-release is not injurious, although because of the way it is designed creates discomfort, however for dogs that are inclined to pull against the leash this movement is not easy to do.
How To Have An Unforgettable Tour (3)
Right before leaving, make sure you remember exactly where things are being placed or kept in so that when you get back, you can check if your house looks just the same way as you left it.
Vacation Home Rentals Compared To Staying At A Hotel (4)
Let's way the differences to see if staying in a home instead of a hotel is something you may be interested in next time you travel. Hotels are great for a one or two night trip were you don't spend a lot of time in your room.
Creative Ways To Display Art Work (5)
Topics: Pro Sports Memorabilia coupon, fulcrumgallery coupon code, SportsFanfare deals Some people spend a considerable amount of money on a work of art and believe that the picture quality deserves to be displayed to where everyone can view it when they enter the room.
Golf Swing Technique - Tips To Improve Your Swing (6)
Include exercise as part of your golf swing technique starting today. Want other great tips on golf swing technique? Take your game to the next level with the latest news and reviews in golf swing techniques at: www.golfinfoline.com
Are You Considering Online Motorcycle Shopping? (7)
The supremacy of the engine will tell of the price. Every bike may seem the same but they will never cost the same due to the force of their engines.
The 10 Steps To Safely And Effectively Hang A Tree Stand (8)
Attach the stand so that you step down onto it from the climbing steps. Trying to pull yourself up onto the stand may dislodge it. Once the stand is attached, carefully put your weight onto the stand, making sure you are always attached to the tree.
Discovering Rare Collectibles (9)
Victor Epand is a consultant for www.SellRareCollectibles.com. Sell Rare Collectibles is a community of rare collectibles sellers. If you have rare collectibless to sell, click here to create a Collectibles Account: www.SellRareCollectibles.com
Time Sharing Your Vacation Home (10)
However, note that applying for credit in order to afford a timeshare property means that you cannot afford to get one. But, don't fret. You can always just book that villa or hotel on a per night basis.