When I am training a dog (or other animal), you hear me use words like GOOD! and YES! a lot. You also often see me pull out a clicker. There is a lot more to me using those sounds than my simply expressing my excitement. They are training tools, called markers, that help my student learn what I am teaching. Why should you use a marker in dog training and pet training? Let’s explore that in this blog post. [Read more…] about Why Should You Use A Marker In Dog Training?
clicker training
Teaching Your Dog To Come
If you want to teach your dog to come quickly when called (also called teaching your dog recall), it is important to ask yourself, “How can I make that choice the most awesome choice for my dog in that moment?” Remember, from your dog’s perspective, it’s all about consequences. Below I share some dog training tips to help you with the process. [Read more…] about Teaching Your Dog To Come
Why Your Dog Only Leaves It For Dinner
Two of the foundation behaviors I like to teach are recall (coming when called) and leave it or wait (meaning leave something alone).
Often a dog will learn to come to the cue of TREAT or will wait for his dinner upon hearing the cue LEAVE IT, but will not reliably do those behaviors at other times. I hear from pet owners about how their dog is really great at sitting while they prepare their dog’s meal and waiting until the food bowl is on the ground to go to it. I also often hear about dogs that will come quickly when called with a cue that is something like, “Treat!” or “Greenie!”.
However, those same people do not have reliability when it comes to asking their dog to come with any other word at any other time; and they do not have reliability when it comes to their dog waiting to greet visitors or to grab something from the ground.
Why Your Dog May Only ‘Leave It’ When It Comes To Dinner
Well, for one, in those specific circumstances, pet owners are very motivated to teach their dog what they want their dog to do. They are focused on getting the outcome they want to see. [Read more…] about Why Your Dog Only Leaves It For Dinner
Importance Of Salience In Dog Training
Salient.
I noticed that I’ve been using that word more in my training…to describe cues, behavior markers (used immediately after a behavior), and environmental triggers.
Why is that word important to dog training (or training any other animal)? To begin my answer, let’s look at the dictionary definition. According to Merriam-Webster, one meaning is – to stand out conspicuously. [Read more…] about Importance Of Salience In Dog Training
Teaching Nose Targeting Games
Changing Criteria In Behavior
Does your dog know a hand touch from a standing position, but looks at you with a blank stare if you present your hand while your dog is sitting? [Read more…] about Changing Criteria In Behavior