Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:38 am Post subject: Using the correct commands for a puppy!
I have realised that, although Ruby is reasonably well-trained, the first time around maybe I didn't think about which commands to use for what. Fortunately Ruby has been adaptable so for example I can use WAIT or STAY to get her to stay in one place I also have never used HEEL but use HERE instead. Yes I know there will be those of you cringing already!!!
So this time around I want to get it right
However it must be confusing for pups, and likewise children, when we use the same word for a different thing. For example DOWN means lay on the ground, which we are practising, but GET DOWN, which is used frequently at the moment as Bella seems to like clambering up everything, means something different as I don't need her to lay on the floor
So how do we define the differences between commands like WAIT and STAY, or OFF, LEAVE and DROP, or GET DOWN or GET OFF ???
I hope this makes sense. I appreciate that we don't all use the same commands but I have realised in the training sessions with Di that maybe I need to think more about what commands I am using for what movement.
I use down when I want them to lie down and off when I want them to get off
Otherwise, yes, it could be confusing. Wanting them to get off them off the sofa could come across as "please lie down and have a little doze on the comfy sofa" (They are allowed on sofas whenever they want, there are just times I want them to get off).
I use down when I want them to lie down and off when I want them to get off
Same for me too
Unless you are doing comp obedience or gundog stuff and want to use 'accepted' terms I would use whatever words you feel most comofrtable with......as they'll be the ones that roll of the tongue when you're not thinking
I use 'here' instead of come for example because it's just what I swould/do say
Having a mixture of hearing and deaf ones I tend to use hand signas plus verbal for all of them - it is automatic now and I got into it because 9 times out of 10 it would have been Jed and Bo in mischief, so that way I covered them both.
Recall - call the name of the dog (shout loudly so anyone else knows I am making the effort for the deaf ones!). They know if they are a distance away and I call them that I want them to come back. Hand signal is either arms wide open or to hurry them up the right arm above my head making a circling motion.
Off - get off whatever bit of furniture they are on unauthorised. Hand signal is pointed finger motioning from where they are to the ground.
Down - get down as in jumping. Hand signal is hand held still waist high with palm down.
Lie Down - not used very often I have to admit! Hand signal is to a sit then pointing to the ground.
Out - normally used to remove dogs from the front of the car, the chicken run, a room I want to shut the door to ..... Hand signal is beckoning finger or if that just gets a tail wag (as in "but I am comfortable on this bed" then the finger pointing out of wherever)
Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!! - multipurpose! Had signal is waist high hand, palm down, moving horizontally. If emphasis is needed then both hands used.
Toilet - think you can guess! Don't really have a hand signal for it, tried a few times but as they have to be watching you to see it and normally they are busy sniffing (ie toilet break on a journey) really not needed.
Kiss - give me a kiss on the cheek. Hand signal is pointing to cheek (Jed only - China normally has food inside her droopy jowels so not encouraged!)
Paw - self explanatory. Hand signal is holding my hand out palm upwards.
Sit - you've guessed it! Hand signal is pointing to the dog's bottom and floor.
Wait - well, wait! Hand signal is holding hand like a policeman does to stop you.
Stay - hahahahahahahaha.... to them stay means come over to stand as close to me as possible after sitting shaking with excitement for 4 seconds.... Jed can do the best stay - which is actually the hand signals for sit and then wait.
No doubt I will think of others but that is it for now.... hope it might have given some insight into deaf dogs as well!
I think the crux is to par down to as few words as possible. And properly nail every single one so you can use a verbal word and not have to use the body language gestures us humans tend to use, which dogs pick up on far more than the verbal cues, and learn way better. The measure of a verbal word known is if you do not even look at the dog, use no body language, say the word, and the dog does it.
I don't see any need myself for using two 'static' commands, as we have discussed before. I don't teach a difference between wait and stay, because they mean the same thing. they mean, 'park your arse till I tell you differently'. It matters not for how long or what is about to follow etc etc. So theres one you don't need to worry about... just pick stay OR wait and just use the one, be that for one second or twenty minutes...
I must admit we get by without a lot of verbal commands. The fact is we tend to push the dog if it jumps up etc etc so I see no real need for a verbal one. they tend to ignore them anyway and recat to the physcial anyhow. So just as an idea, in comparison to the multiple commands, we tend to use:
Sit
Wait (which means park your arse i don't care how long....)
Come
Heel
...and because we gundog train we also use a vocal word for 'hunt' which is 'THERE'.... low, singsong and drawn out.... 'Back' and 'Out'.....but for pet dog training those four above get us everything we need. Most dogs struggle fully recognising and truely understanding those four.
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
I think the crux is to par down to as few words as possible. And properly nail every single one so you can use a verbal word and not have to use the body language gestures us humans tend to use, which dogs pick up on far more than the verbal cues, and learn way better. The measure of a verbal word known is if you do not even look at the dog, use no body language, say the word, and the dog does it.
Di
I agree with Di but would add that it IS worth teaching and then randomly using a sign for vital commands simply so that if your dog loses its hearing (age, infection, trauma) - or even if you lose your voice, or are in a very noisy environment and the dog is not next to you - you already have something in place. I know I am more aware of it since having deaf dogs (Toastie was my first) but if you think of the situation where a dog loses a sense it has had before it will feel cut off, but if you have the means of still communicating (which is why I suggest random reminders of the sign) it is going to be somewhat reassured - and so are you!
edited to add - I am sure the brain has left my body! I actually came on to say the hand sign for Good/Well done/etc is a thumbs up!
Having a mixture of hearing and deaf ones I tend to use hand signas plus verbal for all of them - it is automatic now and I got into it because 9 times out of 10 it would have been Jed and Bo in mischief, so that way I covered them both.
Recall - call the name of the dog (shout loudly so anyone else knows I am making the effort for the deaf ones!). They know if they are a distance away and I call them that I want them to come back. Hand signal is either arms wide open or to hurry them up the right arm above my head making a circling motion.
Yes, I tend to recall using the dog's name too. I know it's not the "done way" but it works for us and it's an automatic reaction for me to use their name. I was going to say I haven't really used hand signals - though I can see it would be of huge benefit in cases where a dog can't hear in particular - but then realised I do use the arms wide open one to recall, though it's not something I've really taught (and I am likely not doing it "properly"), it's just become something I use.
My dogs tend to check in regularly, by looking back at me, if they're off-lead and ahead anyway and follow the path I take, so it works for us. I use "this way" if I want to head a certain way sometimes too, though it's another phrase that has sort of come about through use.
I have also used the word "now" with some of the dogs, which means yes, I do mean now. It's interesting how many ways we communicate without having officially taught them.
Interesting to see what commands everyone else uses.
I realise that I need to be consistent, as does everyone in our house , and it has made me think which commands I really need to use.
Interesting to see what commands everyone else uses.
I realise that I need to be consistent, as does everyone in our house , and it has made me think which commands I really need to use.
Chloe
Consistent is the key word!
When my parents visit and have something on their laps to eat Jed and China will insist on nosing in - each time it happens I show mum the command to "back off" (hand with palm facing the body, making a slow flaping movement) but being my mother she knows best and holds her hand up in the "police, stop" position - so of course Jed and China stay where they are!
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I also have never used HEEL but use HERE instead. Yes I know there will be those of you cringing already!!!
(They are allowed on sofas whenever they want, there are just times I want them to get off).
