Dutch Shepherd Forum

Just on a side note, a good amount of people I come across have a basic understanding of how to teach a dog a command, but very few know how to communicate it. Learning how to teach is not nearly as important as learning how to communicate effectively. Once you learn how to communicate, and have a strong bond with your dog, that dog will grow wings and fly for you. :dswink"

Oh my! I have enough trouble keeping ahead of Lyric on the ground!

Haven't been around on DSF for a bit and while catching up on some posts I became enthralled with the suggestion of laying on the ground while the dog is in a sit. Too juicy not to try!

Thor couldn't see my face, just part of my body. I thought he'd break and advance when I went down, but didn't. When I told him to down, he broke and advanced, but when I put my hand up to halt (I forgot to use voice only), he did. Told him to go back; did. Sit. Did. Down. Did. Sit. Yep. Interestingly, though, he was relunctant to bark on command.

Raven wrote:Haven't been around on DSF for a bit and while catching up on some posts I became enthralled with the suggestion of laying on the ground while the dog is in a sit. Too juicy not to try!

Thor couldn't see my face, just part of my body. I thought he'd break and advance when I went down, but didn't. When I told him to down, he broke and advanced, but when I put my hand up to halt (I forgot to use voice only), he did. Told him to go back; did. Sit. Did. Down. Did. Sit. Yep. Interestingly, though, he was relunctant to bark on command.

That's awsome! Alot farther then most get! The whole reasoning behind the test is to show people how important it is for a dog to read your body language to understand what you want. Not just physical cues that we do on purpose, the way you stand, the expression on your face, your state of mind at the time, the tone of your voice, the inflection in your voice, how you pronounce your words, your arm and eye movements (I had a great dane that was trained to eye movements). It's the total package, and not just what we do on purpose. It is honestly, very difficult to do this repeatedly with a high success rate.

The next step in that test is to do it under distraction. One of the distractions I've used in the past is a radio controlled car, my son would drive it around while I was training. Very difficult with a high prey drive dog to see that thing zooming around and not pay attention to it.

Ben...I'm glad to see you here. I'm familiar with you and like your approach to people as well as the dogs.

We'll definately continue with this technique. It's pretty awesome. As for the execution of moving targets during the exercise, that'll be down the line. I am, however, going to start with distractions that were once a problem and see how that goes.

What else ya got????

Oh, where to start lol

There is so much that dogs are capable of learning that gets passed up, and different ways of teaching them. I like unconventional behaviors that make dogs unique, and ways of teaching that make training more of a joy then just a repetitive motion, but will also challenge the problem solving skills and mental acuity of the dog.

Most people spend day after day teaching obedience commands, commands specific to their venue, or a combination of the two. Most of us have taught basic house manners, and the like, but what about the stuff to make things even easier that they are completely capable of learning, but just haven't been shown how?

I've seen a dog that wipes his feet before he goes into the house. I've seen a dog get his own towel before he gets into the tub (he has his own towel). I've seen a dog pick up laundry on the floor and put it in a basket. I've seen a dog trained to fetch specific garden hand tools. Teach your dog to fetch your kids, or significant other. Train your dog to ring a bell to go outside for potty, and ring a different bell to go outside to play (they have to sound different). Train your dog how to sneak. Shape a new behavior in your dog to make him act silly. Ever thought to teach your dog how to throw up? (believe it or not, it does come in handy) There are many many different things you can do with your dog that are outside the norm. It just takes some creativity.

Something that people don't really think of for some unknown reason, but there is a communication system in place for people that don't speak. Any idea what that is? Is there some reason a dog can't learn it? They may not be able to communicate back in the same manner (if he does, let me know!), but he can through behavior.

Ever seen a dog take commands through a walkie-talkie fastened to a vest? Now that's distance training!~

Just a few things to think about. Happy training!

and you're located where????? Are you for hire?

whaha, Dingo can sneeze on command Ivil bites in the waterbowl (makes noise) if it's empty and I didn't see, She comes and get me to open the door to go pee, she comes and get me in a different way if there is a bird trying to steel fish from our pond. All these things were only encouraged and shaped, they sort of came up with it themselves

Thor's learned tons of stuff, but today was the first day that he had to help with the returnable bottles instead of being in the way. I only let him do about 6, but he had to take the 2-liters from the basket, flatten them (his favorite part of the job because of the bite and the sound) and then toss them in the bottle totes. (I took pictures to show his father when he got home. He was tickled but not happy over another sound that will drive him crazy.)

I was more interested in unique ways to challenge/deepen the communication, such as with the lying on the ground exercise. We've been doing that in different locations with different commands and I'm very proud....He thinks I've gone off my rocker.

Grrrr ... I had a great write up that I just lost.

I'll redo it when I have some sit down time. Anywho...

A fun activity! http://www.abc.net.au/animals/dog_test/

How did your dog do?

(p.s. I live in Maine at the moment, however the Army is seeing fit to relocate us soon. We haven't found out where yet. Perhaps in your area. And yes, I will be taking on new clients after I move.)