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1) What is in a name and other words too?
2) Going Forward With Your Beginner's Training
1)
What is in a name and other words too?
How many words does your dog understand? I have read that they can understand up to two hundred or more words! Some breeds even more! That equals what most 2-3 year old children understand. Of course, I believe that dogs can read our emotions far better than any human can, adult or child.
One of the first words most dogs learn is their name and my wish would be that every dog gets a name early in their life and hears it called sweetly every day for the rest of its life. The saddest thing would be a dog that does not know its name because then we know that no one has taken the time to give it one. All domesticated animals will learn their name if they hear it said to them often enough. One of the coolest things I ever saw was my sister-in-law calling in the cows - one at a time by name! [A most fascinating book on this subject that I would recommend is: Adam's Task - Calling Animals by Name - written by Vicki Hearne].
As well as learning their name, dogs are learning other words by association. They learn words like "do you want a cookie?" "do you want to go for a walk?" "lets go outside" "watch me" "come" or my favourite for getting them to pee or poop on command is "go hurry!" These words are associated with positive reinforcements when they do the action asked of them. They also learn words like "no" or "stop" or my favourite "aah aah" spoken in a lower tone. These so called "negative" words do not have to be emotionally crippling to a dog. If the word is used calmly and is followed up by reinforcing what you do want the dog to do, followed by praise, they can handle it. An example of this would be if a puppy is chewing on something inappropriate I would say "aah aah" then replace the item I do not want chewed with something they are allowed to chew. I would then tell them they are "good" for choosing the right chew item. Dogs need clear directions "yes, you are right" or "no, you are making the wrong choice". If they are making the wrong choice then you should help the dog to understand what is right so you can reinforce with "yes! good dog". Dogs live to please us, we just have to consistently reinforce the behaviours we want them to offer us.
I like to use the reinforcing words "yes" and "good" as our dogs can easily hear our energy and pleased tone in those words. They are upbeat and can be spoken quickly - the moment the dog does the action we asked. An example of this would be in teaching the dog to sit. We ask the dog to sit, lure it into the sit position and the moment the butt hits the floor, we say "YES! good sit" and immediately reward with a treat. In no time, the dog associates the word "sit" with "put my butt on the floor as quickly as possible". You can gradually remove the lure and just reinforce with "yes, good sit". This sequence continues for everything you want to teach your dog - first just show it what you want it to - then reward immediately with your voice (and food if you like) then release the dog with a happy "OK" then do it again. Taught in this way, the dog quickly learns to offer the behaviour you are requesting so they can get your praise and treats.
My favourite part of training is when the dog starts to offer behaviours - trying to get you to notice them and pay attention to them and interact with them! When this happens, be very happy! They are understanding the training game and want to play it with you.
Now here is something to think about...my pet peeve in advanced training is trainers using "good try" when the dog does not perform the task required. I would rather hear "aah aah" or "oops" or "noooo" - then put the dog back where the error occurred and reinforce what you wanted to happen and reward profusely when the dog then does it right. My example of this would be if a dog goes out over the high jump to retrieve and then comes back around the jump. If your dog is just learning to do the high jump then it is your responsibility as a trainer to make sure the dog always goes out and returns over the jump every time. Once you feel your dog knows the exercise and they make the mistake of going around the jump, why would you say "good try"? What does your dog think when it gets back to you and you say "good try"? My feeling is that dogs don't understand the abstract concept of "try". They do, however know what "good" means. "Good" proceeding any other word means you are happy with that "good sit, good down, good hold, good watch etc". So, for me, using "good try" to describe an action that was not done correctly would be confusing to the dog.
I often wonder if "good try" didn't start being used to stop trainers from using "negative words" in a harsh way in the dog sports where you are allowed to talk to your dogs - like Agility and Rally-O? "Good Try" is definitely better than some of the words I might consider using when my dog misses the tunnel!
Submitted by Leslie Gardiner
Head Trainer COWN dog club
What is in a name and other words too?
How many words does your dog understand? I have read that they can understand up to two hundred or more words! Some breeds even more! That equals what most 2-3 year old children understand. Of course, I believe that dogs can read our emotions far better than any human can, adult or child.
One of the first words most dogs learn is their name and my wish would be that every dog gets a name early in their life and hears it called sweetly every day for the rest of its life. The saddest thing would be a dog that does not know its name because then we know that no one has taken the time to give it one. All domesticated animals will learn their name if they hear it said to them often enough. One of the coolest things I ever saw was my sister-in-law calling in the cows - one at a time by name! [A most fascinating book on this subject that I would recommend is: Adam's Task - Calling Animals by Name - written by Vicki Hearne].
As well as learning their name, dogs are learning other words by association. They learn words like "do you want a cookie?" "do you want to go for a walk?" "lets go outside" "watch me" "come" or my favourite for getting them to pee or poop on command is "go hurry!" These words are associated with positive reinforcements when they do the action asked of them. They also learn words like "no" or "stop" or my favourite "aah aah" spoken in a lower tone. These so called "negative" words do not have to be emotionally crippling to a dog. If the word is used calmly and is followed up by reinforcing what you do want the dog to do, followed by praise, they can handle it. An example of this would be if a puppy is chewing on something inappropriate I would say "aah aah" then replace the item I do not want chewed with something they are allowed to chew. I would then tell them they are "good" for choosing the right chew item. Dogs need clear directions "yes, you are right" or "no, you are making the wrong choice". If they are making the wrong choice then you should help the dog to understand what is right so you can reinforce with "yes! good dog". Dogs live to please us, we just have to consistently reinforce the behaviours we want them to offer us.
I like to use the reinforcing words "yes" and "good" as our dogs can easily hear our energy and pleased tone in those words. They are upbeat and can be spoken quickly - the moment the dog does the action we asked. An example of this would be in teaching the dog to sit. We ask the dog to sit, lure it into the sit position and the moment the butt hits the floor, we say "YES! good sit" and immediately reward with a treat. In no time, the dog associates the word "sit" with "put my butt on the floor as quickly as possible". You can gradually remove the lure and just reinforce with "yes, good sit". This sequence continues for everything you want to teach your dog - first just show it what you want it to - then reward immediately with your voice (and food if you like) then release the dog with a happy "OK" then do it again. Taught in this way, the dog quickly learns to offer the behaviour you are requesting so they can get your praise and treats.
My favourite part of training is when the dog starts to offer behaviours - trying to get you to notice them and pay attention to them and interact with them! When this happens, be very happy! They are understanding the training game and want to play it with you.
Now here is something to think about...my pet peeve in advanced training is trainers using "good try" when the dog does not perform the task required. I would rather hear "aah aah" or "oops" or "noooo" - then put the dog back where the error occurred and reinforce what you wanted to happen and reward profusely when the dog then does it right. My example of this would be if a dog goes out over the high jump to retrieve and then comes back around the jump. If your dog is just learning to do the high jump then it is your responsibility as a trainer to make sure the dog always goes out and returns over the jump every time. Once you feel your dog knows the exercise and they make the mistake of going around the jump, why would you say "good try"? What does your dog think when it gets back to you and you say "good try"? My feeling is that dogs don't understand the abstract concept of "try". They do, however know what "good" means. "Good" proceeding any other word means you are happy with that "good sit, good down, good hold, good watch etc". So, for me, using "good try" to describe an action that was not done correctly would be confusing to the dog.
I often wonder if "good try" didn't start being used to stop trainers from using "negative words" in a harsh way in the dog sports where you are allowed to talk to your dogs - like Agility and Rally-O? "Good Try" is definitely better than some of the words I might consider using when my dog misses the tunnel!
Submitted by Leslie Gardiner
Head Trainer COWN dog club
2)
GOING FORWARD WITH YOUR BEGINNER'S TRAINING
So, now that you are bringing your dog to classes, what other activities are available for you to aim for?
Every dog activity - whether it is Obedience Trialing, Conformation, Agility, Rally-O, Canine Good Citizen, Tracking, Carting, Freestyle Dance, Flyball , Hunt tests for Retrievers or Earth Dog trials for Terriers - is made easier with a dog that has had basic obedience training. You can take the basic obedience skills learned in class and go in any direction, or several directions, whatever you want to do with your dog.
In the Cowichan Dog Obedience Club there are members who are involved in each of the dog sports named above and more. These are people who would love to introduce you and your dog to these fun activities. Having a dog that will be calm in a group situation and will "watch" you and ignore other dogs and distractions around you, that will try with a happy attitude to learn new skills, is all you need to get started.
With each class you take, you and your dog should be improving your skills. Heeling beside you on the left should be getting better and better the more you go on. Straight sits are important, so we should always be trying to improve them. Stationary exercises - the long sit and down and the stand for examination - should be getting steadier for longer periods of time.
In Beginners we are learning the basics. We work on teaching "focus" (the dog watching our face to the exclusion of other distractions). We learn how to teach sit and sit stay; down and down stay; and stand and stand stay (four on the floor). We also learn how to teach our dogs to walk on a loose leash beside us and how to come when called. Dogs that can do these "basics" are considered to be good canine citizens.
It is not often that the dog and owner perfect all of these skills to such a level that they are done with training in one 8 week session. Some dogs and handlers repeat beginners to get these basics under their belt and some teams go on to Beginner Brush up to keep on trying.
In Beginner Brush up we ask the dogs to do the same basics learned in Beginners but with more skill and confidence. We expect that the heeling with attention will get better, automatic sits when stopping while heeling start happening, our stationary exercises are done for longer periods of time and there is greater distance between the dog and the handler. The food lure used in beginners to teach and exercise is gradually dropped from the exercises the dogs are proficient in, and less and less verbal encouragement is needed. By the end of this 8 week session, the dogs should be able to heel on leash without pulling or lagging and without having to have food in front of their faces constantly. They should be able to do a sit and down stay for at least a minute with the handler across the room without breaking from their position. They should be able to stay and wait until they are called on a recall and then sit in front of their handler. Until the team can accomplish these skills, they should remain at this level until they can.
Advanced Brush up classes are for dog and handler teams that are aiming to trial in Obedience, Rally O or Agility - activities where a high level of obedience is needed to compete successfully. If you are in an Advanced Brush up class you can expect your instructor and classmates to be goals orientated . These people are aiming for competition! Heeling will be expected to be getting really proficient, sits while heeling should be fast and straight. Food is only used as a REWARD for exceptional effort - no longer visible and hanging in front of the dog's face constantly. Dogs are learning to have a focal point while heeling and the handlers are getting consistent with their heeling cues and smooth pace. Few, if any, verbal encouragements are needed and praise is only given after the exercise is finished. Dog and handler teams in this class should be aiming to enter obedience trials or Rally O trials and instruction given in this class will be aimed towards getting the teams trial ready. Your instructor will be asking you about your goals so they can help you to attain them.
Once you and your dog are working at this level, you are ready to branch out into other dog activities. More advanced Obedience training is available through this Club at the Open and Utility level - Utility being the highest level of Obedience training.
We want your training time at Cowichan Dog Obedience Club to be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. Please feel free at any time to ask your trainer or helper to refer you to someone who has expertise in any other dog sports or speak to the Head Trainer - that's me - Leslie Gardiner.
Submitted by Leslie Gardiner
January 13. 2010
GOING FORWARD WITH YOUR BEGINNER'S TRAINING
So, now that you are bringing your dog to classes, what other activities are available for you to aim for?
Every dog activity - whether it is Obedience Trialing, Conformation, Agility, Rally-O, Canine Good Citizen, Tracking, Carting, Freestyle Dance, Flyball , Hunt tests for Retrievers or Earth Dog trials for Terriers - is made easier with a dog that has had basic obedience training. You can take the basic obedience skills learned in class and go in any direction, or several directions, whatever you want to do with your dog.
In the Cowichan Dog Obedience Club there are members who are involved in each of the dog sports named above and more. These are people who would love to introduce you and your dog to these fun activities. Having a dog that will be calm in a group situation and will "watch" you and ignore other dogs and distractions around you, that will try with a happy attitude to learn new skills, is all you need to get started.
With each class you take, you and your dog should be improving your skills. Heeling beside you on the left should be getting better and better the more you go on. Straight sits are important, so we should always be trying to improve them. Stationary exercises - the long sit and down and the stand for examination - should be getting steadier for longer periods of time.
In Beginners we are learning the basics. We work on teaching "focus" (the dog watching our face to the exclusion of other distractions). We learn how to teach sit and sit stay; down and down stay; and stand and stand stay (four on the floor). We also learn how to teach our dogs to walk on a loose leash beside us and how to come when called. Dogs that can do these "basics" are considered to be good canine citizens.
It is not often that the dog and owner perfect all of these skills to such a level that they are done with training in one 8 week session. Some dogs and handlers repeat beginners to get these basics under their belt and some teams go on to Beginner Brush up to keep on trying.
In Beginner Brush up we ask the dogs to do the same basics learned in Beginners but with more skill and confidence. We expect that the heeling with attention will get better, automatic sits when stopping while heeling start happening, our stationary exercises are done for longer periods of time and there is greater distance between the dog and the handler. The food lure used in beginners to teach and exercise is gradually dropped from the exercises the dogs are proficient in, and less and less verbal encouragement is needed. By the end of this 8 week session, the dogs should be able to heel on leash without pulling or lagging and without having to have food in front of their faces constantly. They should be able to do a sit and down stay for at least a minute with the handler across the room without breaking from their position. They should be able to stay and wait until they are called on a recall and then sit in front of their handler. Until the team can accomplish these skills, they should remain at this level until they can.
Advanced Brush up classes are for dog and handler teams that are aiming to trial in Obedience, Rally O or Agility - activities where a high level of obedience is needed to compete successfully. If you are in an Advanced Brush up class you can expect your instructor and classmates to be goals orientated . These people are aiming for competition! Heeling will be expected to be getting really proficient, sits while heeling should be fast and straight. Food is only used as a REWARD for exceptional effort - no longer visible and hanging in front of the dog's face constantly. Dogs are learning to have a focal point while heeling and the handlers are getting consistent with their heeling cues and smooth pace. Few, if any, verbal encouragements are needed and praise is only given after the exercise is finished. Dog and handler teams in this class should be aiming to enter obedience trials or Rally O trials and instruction given in this class will be aimed towards getting the teams trial ready. Your instructor will be asking you about your goals so they can help you to attain them.
Once you and your dog are working at this level, you are ready to branch out into other dog activities. More advanced Obedience training is available through this Club at the Open and Utility level - Utility being the highest level of Obedience training.
We want your training time at Cowichan Dog Obedience Club to be fun and rewarding for both you and your dog. Please feel free at any time to ask your trainer or helper to refer you to someone who has expertise in any other dog sports or speak to the Head Trainer - that's me - Leslie Gardiner.
Submitted by Leslie Gardiner
January 13. 2010