Alexandria, VA – Using a “command” to tell your dog to perform a behavior versus a “cue” to invite your dog to perform a behavior may sound like semantics, but the two words are very different.
For many years, dog training was about obedience and compliance, using coercive methods to force the dog to obey. Today’s positive trainers emphasize a more cooperative relationship. We aim to set the learner up for success, reward the dog for getting it right, and make the dog an active, not passive, participant in the training process.
When I work with a dog who doesn’t immediately respond to my cue, I don’t fault the dog for being “stubborn” or “not listening.” I look at a couple of factors.
First, has the dog practiced this behavior enough for it to be reliable? Remember, dogs don’t understand English until we teach them the words. So I don’t name the behavior until the dog has learned it. Let’s take the behavior sit. I lure the dog into a sit by raising a treat above and slightly behind his head. I “capture” the behavior by marking with a click or verbal marker, such as “yes,” and then reward the dog for choosing to sit on its own.
Alternatively, I can “shape” the behavior, where you reward the dog for making small progress toward the final behavior by breaking it down into small pieces and rewarding each step of the way. I use this when the dog starts to bend its hind legs, and then build on that.
Second, I assess the environment. Is it too distracting? We want to add distractions to increase reliability, but only after the dog has become fairly solid with the behavior.
I also ensure I’m not distracting the dog. Is the dog focused more on my hands or the treat pouch? Simple adjustments (moving the pouch to one side or keeping my hands behind my back) can enable the dog to focus on the task instead of me.
Third, is the reward (reinforcement) valuable enough to motivate the dog? When we are training a new or complex behavior, the value of the reward can make the difference. Think chicken versus cheerios.
Finally, I want to ensure that the dog is in a training mindset. Dogs can have off days, too. Or is there a medical reason? For example, a dog with weak hips may find repetitive sits painful.
It’s essential to add cues after the dog has learned the behavior, so he associates the word with the behavior. Even before adding the word, I’ll teach a hand signal (also a cue), so that I can associate the word with the hand signal. With a strong verbal and hand signal cue, I can use either one (depending on the situation). Additionally, the hand signal is a backup in case the dog doesn’t respond to my verbal cue. Dogs are much more attuned to our body language than they are to spoken words.
Back to the behavior sit, start with a lure (treat), and move your treat hand up and slightly over your dog’s head. As his butt hits the ground, mark the behavior so the dog knows he did it right, and then reward him with the treat in your hand. Repeat this a few times, then do it without the treat in your hand. We want to fade the treat lure so the dog doesn’t become dependent on seeing the treat before they do the behavior. We still reward after they have sat. Once the behavior is reliable nine times out of ten, then add the verbal cue “sit” before giving the hand signal. Make sure not to say the word sit at the same time that you give the hand signal, so that the dog hears the verbal cue first before they see your hand signal. That’s how we make the association between the two.
Learning how to communicate with our dogs using upbeat words and reinforcement produces better results than using harsh tones and negative consequences. In positive training, we strive to minimize frustration and fear while fostering a learning environment where both the dog and human enjoy the learning process and have fun.
Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, is the Founder, Owner, and Head of Training of Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria’s award-winning, premier canine training and learning center. Classes are starting soon! Visit www.wholistichound.com to enroll in our programs, and like us on Facebook and Instagram @wholistichound.
