Training also plays a vital role in enriching our dogs minds. Mental stimulation is every bit as important as physical stimulation. Training tricks or even basic obedience commands keep your dogs mind engaged, and he loves that! The interesting thing about trick training is that though it initially takes reinforcement through treats or toys to teach the behavior; over time, the trick itself is sufficient reward for the dog. The dog that took a week and half a bag of liver treats to learn to “pray” is now the same dog who gleefully greets you and offers you the behavior without any prompting or any physical reward in sight. Your delight at his cleverness becomes the most powerful reinforcer and a predictor that this behavior is going to happen again…and again…and again. And we love it! Because dogs desire to please the people they love, most of them are ideal candidates for training. However, not all breeds possess the same desire for learning. Certain breeds require unique approaches in order for them to develop the drive to learn. Terriers, for example, are a group of breeds bred and highly prized for their independent spirit. In teaching a Terrier, it is important to realize that you have a dog that was designed to follow his instincts rather than take direction.
So, why DO dogs do tricks? Since canine behavior is largely based on logic, we can learn a great deal by observing dogs during training exercises. Our dogs are canine opportunists. They learn very quickly how to manipulate situations and people to get their desired response. It is highly possible that tricks earn Fido the ultimate prize, which is your attention. More than anything else in this world, Fido loves quality time spent with you. It is more valuable to him than a slice of prime rib with gravy on top! If Fido doing a spin or a twist, brings a smile to your face, or even better, a laugh; chances are good that Fido is going to keep offering you more and more behaviors. He knows that it makes you happy, and THAT makes him happy. But its not just the finished product that brings our dogs great joy. Dogs also enjoy the journey. Training time generally equates to two of Fidos most favorite things in the whole world. As you well know, those two things are treats, and time spent with you. Training is a win-win for Fido!
Are you thinking you would like to do some training with Fido? It can be great fun. Dogs love to do things with their owners, and they take great delight in bringing you joy. Pick up some yummy treats and check out a YouTube video or two, and you are ready to get started on a journey that will yield many great rewards for you and your dog.
Many online retailers also offer books, DVDs, and digital downloads that can help get you started with training your dog. Be sure to select one that focuses on what you are most interested in. If you are wanting to have the next agility star, you will want to focus on training materials that teach the foundation behaviors for the sport. If parlor tricks are your aim, pick up a book that shows some of your favorite commands youd like Fido to learn. Lastly, some towns offer classes in trick training. Consult with your local dog daycare, veterinarian, or kennel club to learn what is available in your area.
Training a dog is never an impossible feat, but as a trainer, you must have a solid plan, a willingness to forsake it when necessary, and lots of patience. Dog training rarely has consistent, upward linear movement. More often than not, you move up a few paces, then back down twice as many, before soaring upwards and falling back again. Patience will go a long way to help your dog learn and to keep things fun for both of you. If youd like to get into teaching your dog a trick or two and youre not certain where to start, there are many great resources for you. YouT0ube offers lots of instructional videos and inspiration. If youre not certain just yet what youd like to teach Fido, check out Just Jesse the Jack. Hes a dog trick dynamo! Just watching him will bring a smile to your face and will show you what is possible when training is consistent and fun. Jesses mom has worked wonders with a breed known more for their stubbornness and short attention span than their willingness to learn. So if your pup isnt quite sure this trick stuff is all its cracked up to be, there is hope!
Trick Training is Fun for Both of You!
If you end your session on a positive note – and with tricks, it’s kind of hard not to, as it’s all fun and games! – you and your pup will walk away cheerful and satisfied.
I’m currently teaching my male dog, Mario, to jump in the air with a ball in his mouth. He knows how to take the ball in his mouth and he knows how to jump. I am trying to put the two together. When we’ve practiced, he’ll sometimes take the ball and then drop it at the jump cue. Or he’ll jump without picking the ball up at all.
However, he’s had moments of jumping with the ball in his mouth. When he achieves this behavior, I give him a jackpot – extra treats, fed one after another after another, and tons of verbal praise. Then I stop there. We are both genuinely thrilled about his success.
If you do not achieve your goal in a session, do your best to hide any frustration you may be feeling. Move on to a trick that your dog can already perform successfully and end with him receiving a nice reward. You can come back to the new trick later.
Trick Training Helps Your Dog with Distractions
Your dog will learn to work with distractions. Tricks classes present a dog with many distractions, but if you consistently reward your dog for watching you and listening for your cues, soon your dog will pay much less attention to extraneous stimuli in any setting when you ask him to focus.
This ability to focus on you will come in handy when walking outdoors; it even increases your dog’s safety while he is walking with you near busy streets or crowded areas.