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Classic obedience lessons utilize a lot of leash
work. Dogs must be trained to obey and follow, which generally involves a lot
of ordering about and corrections for misbehavior. It’s serious stuff. Not so
with trick training and other adventures like agility and flyball. These activities
depend on an invisible leash — a strong tie that brings you together in a flow
of excitement and trust, like a coach guiding an eager athlete. Are you
concerned about how your dog will handle the freedom? I will walk you through
the basics and guides you toward the freedom of off-lead control. In this
section, I give you an overview of trick training and some things you can do to
get started today.
Figuring
out who’s teaching who
The first thing you need to explore is your
relationship as it exists now. Does your dog look to you for direction, eager
to follow you and learn new things? Or does your dog’s schedule look something
like this:
✓ Paw for attention: Promptly at
7 a.m.
✓ Bark at the window: 1–3:30 p.m.
✓ Scratch at the door: 8 a.m., 3:30
p.m., 9 p.m.
✓ Steal socks and get the family to chase me: 4 p.m.
If your dog’s day is one long human training session, all hope is
not lost! This is a sign of a smart and clever dog; he’ll be easy to train. At
the moment, though, he’s training you.
Trying
lessons without words
Dogs learn in ways that are both simple and
complex. Dogs are so eager to earn rewards and attention that it’s amazingly
easy to teach them simple things. Get five super-savored treats or a toy your
dog loves to play with, and then try the following lessons.
Heeding
the four-paw rule: All paws on the floor
Stand upright in front of your dog and wave the
treat above his head. If he jumps for it, lift the treat up and look to the
sky. If he scratches at you frantically, wear a trench coat and completely
ignore your dog. When he pauses, reward him immediately with the treat or toy.
Repeat this five times in a row, three times a day. My hunch? In three or four
days, your dog will hold still when you offer him treats and toys. Give it a
try!
Sitting for a toy or
before dinner
Try this wordless lesson, building on the preceding
four-paw rule. Wave your dog’s toy or hold his dinner bowl above his head and
wait. Don’t look at or talk to your dog if he jumps or barks at you.
Ignore him so he understands that these behaviors will not work with you. No
sirree! Be patient with your dog and keep your eyes peeled for success. The
moment he sits, reward him immediately. If he stands calmly, position him or
maneuver the toy or bowl above his head so that he moves into a sitting
position himself.
After five repetitions, surprise — he won’t bark or jump —he’ll
sit automatically! Good dog. Good person. You make a great team.
Copyright © Sarah Hodgson – Originally appeared in Dog Tricks and Agility for Dummies 2nd ed by Sarah Hodgson
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