Dog Training Exercises For the Whole Family
31 Aug 2009
Training your dog should never be a chore, although unfortunately it seems to end up that way for many dog owners. Dog training exercises should be fun and satisfying – both for you and your dog. And as long as you approach things properly they can be.
We aren't the only ones who sometimes don't feel like doing daily training exercises - dogs can get tired too. And they most likely won't work for reward if they don't feel like it. However, if you use a game to hide the training exercise, you'll get a willing dog and fantastic results.
The come command is easy to learn but hardest to develop consistency with - and that's important because it is one of the most important commands your dog needs to understand. Dogs will normally come to you when you call them provided nothing else has their attention - but the world is full of stimulating things for them and without training they won't come if they've found something more interesting. Continuous re-enforcment is the only way to get the consistency you need. That doesn't seem fun - just tedious? Well, it's fun in our house ever since the kids discovered [found] a great way to get our dog to come every time he's called. And that, is hide and seek!
Use Games in Your Dog Training
Make sure he's hungry (feed him a bit less at his last feeding time) and get some great treats ready. Put him in a stay and then go hide in a different room. Enjoy it - go hide in the bath - get behind the clothes in a closet - pick unusual places your dog doesn't normally see you. Nex, call him [her]. He'll [she'll] come as fast as he [she] can. It may take her [him] a minute or two to find you if you've really hidden yourself. It's hilarious watching them race in and start sniffing around looking for you! And give him [her] that peice of chicken dog he's [she's] working so hard for as soon as he [she] does find you!
The kids go wild with this. The laughter is great for them and our dogs. It’s FUN and the dogs are re-enforcing the conditioned response of coming when their name is called. An added bonus of getting the kids to do this as well is that your dog is learning to come when all members of the family call – not just you. Feeling silly shouldn't be a worry for any adult - it's a great exercise for us as well. The first time you stand in your closet with a piece of hot dog in your hand you may feel a bit silly, but you'll laugh when your dog pokes his head in looking for you! You may even feel a bit younger!
Training Should Progress Logically
Of course, this isn’t the first dog training exercise you need to master. You have to teach them to pay attention to you first. And you should probably do some homework and consult one of the better dog obedience training books. But if you’re always looking for ways to make the training fun, it’s going to be. For you, your dog, the entire family.
