My Dog is Learning some New Tricks
Dog Training: What Is The Best Way To Teach Your Dog New Tricks?
When teaching fun and useful tricks, keep your training sessions short and sweet, no more than five minutes each, and repeat the sessions one to four times during the day. For example, some days I’m busy and I only get one lesson in. Other days I have time for two or three. My dogs are up for anything and yours will learn, too, as long as you’re positive and use a positive step-by-step approach.
It is better to schedule training around feeding times. For example, before breakfast I’ll do a lesson. Both my dogs love treats, and since they are hungry they’re even more spunky. I end the lesson on a positive note and reward them with a yummy meal. Good dogs!
Always Use The Step-By-Step Approach
You might be asking, “what is the best step-by-step approach?” The answer is fairly simple. Each new routine has steps to follow, and you need to perfect each step before moving on to the next. But to give you a quick example, suppose you want to teach your dog how to jump through a hoop. The steps are:
Step One: Use a broom to create a low jump across a threshold, like a doorway. Prop up the broom with two objects of equal height, such as soup cans or, for a small dog, toilet paper rolls. Let your dog sniff the setup, then take him five strides and command "Over" as you take the jump together. Good dog! When you’ve perfected this you’re ready for Step Two.
Step Two: Show your dog the hoop, placing it flat on the ground so that your dog can step around and sniff it. Holding the hoop at ground level, lure your dog through with a toy or treat. As he walks through, he should hear the command "Through."
Step Three: Recruit someone to hold the hoop at the broom. The bottom of the hoop should be at the same level as the broom. Take your dog back down the runway, instruct "Over-through," and run up to the obstacle and encourage your dog through.
Step Four: Continue to work in the same threshold. Remove the broom. Encourage "Through." Good dog! Slowly raise the hoop to the height of your dog’s elbow (or hock). Once your dog perfects it here, you can branch out to other thresholds in the house. Got that? Now you’re ready for the big time! Encourage your dog to jump through wherever the hoop is placed.
So, teaching how to jump through a hoop is a four-step program. Because your dog can’t master an entire routine in five minutes, you’ll need to isolate each step and build on your dog’s successes.
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