On the first training day, Bruce already impressed us. For a shy dog who didn't know anything but sit, he was able to follow target lessons and commands. We learned that dogs, particularly mine, do listen if coaxed properly with the right methods. We also found out that Bruce is heavily food driven so we knew what to expect.
With three special treats in tow and a treat apron, we were ready.
The class started on time in the fabulous Better Dog facility as always. He learned three new lessons that day and had to recap the previous ones. Again, Bruce made our hearts flutter with pride. Teacher Elsie had to modify the lessons a bit to increase complexity because Bruce gets the lessons easily and sometimes already offers the trick before you command it. He would sit in front of you and look up even if you're not commanding anything. We would have to say "FREE" for him to relax and move around.
On the second day, he learned how to sit, down and go to the mat.
Sit was easy. We taught him this already.
Down was a bit of a challenge, but he eventually got the concept. After learning the command, performing it was as easy as sit.
Go to the mat was quite hard. Better Dog lent us a sort of trampoline platform where we instructed Bruce to step on all fours and stay. There was a time we would hear him whining because he couldn't figure out that we wanted him do. He would do sit, go down and perform all the tricks he knows in front of the platform, but we wouldn't reward him. For this lesson, we had to undergo several repetitions, but he eventually got it. One problem that we have is that he doesn't actually have a mat at home. We have to buy one to be able to practice.
When we went home, we had to refresh him with the lessons throughout the day. He got the sit flawlessly and the down command. As for the mat, first thing's first. We actually need to get one. We're fairly confident that as soon as we have an official mat, practicing the command in a week's time would do the trick.
Bruce is still a work in progress, but we've been proud since day 1. He's smart and learns the trick fast. After spending an hour in the training facility, he takes the lesson with him at home. All we ever need to do is to practice it with him.
A couple of pointers and lessons I learned in this session:
With three special treats in tow and a treat apron, we were ready.
The class started on time in the fabulous Better Dog facility as always. He learned three new lessons that day and had to recap the previous ones. Again, Bruce made our hearts flutter with pride. Teacher Elsie had to modify the lessons a bit to increase complexity because Bruce gets the lessons easily and sometimes already offers the trick before you command it. He would sit in front of you and look up even if you're not commanding anything. We would have to say "FREE" for him to relax and move around.
On the second day, he learned how to sit, down and go to the mat.
Sit was easy. We taught him this already.
Down was a bit of a challenge, but he eventually got the concept. After learning the command, performing it was as easy as sit.
Go to the mat was quite hard. Better Dog lent us a sort of trampoline platform where we instructed Bruce to step on all fours and stay. There was a time we would hear him whining because he couldn't figure out that we wanted him do. He would do sit, go down and perform all the tricks he knows in front of the platform, but we wouldn't reward him. For this lesson, we had to undergo several repetitions, but he eventually got it. One problem that we have is that he doesn't actually have a mat at home. We have to buy one to be able to practice.
When we went home, we had to refresh him with the lessons throughout the day. He got the sit flawlessly and the down command. As for the mat, first thing's first. We actually need to get one. We're fairly confident that as soon as we have an official mat, practicing the command in a week's time would do the trick.
Bruce is still a work in progress, but we've been proud since day 1. He's smart and learns the trick fast. After spending an hour in the training facility, he takes the lesson with him at home. All we ever need to do is to practice it with him.
A couple of pointers and lessons I learned in this session:
- Always get the attention of your dog first before throwing commands
- Dogs are smart. Don't underestimate them. If they have absorbed the trick easily, the dog has the tendency to offer the trick without any command. Walk around. You need to command him so you would give him the treat, not the other way around. Use the word "FREE" to break the command spree.
- For doing relatively difficult tricks, reward him with your best treat or reward him abundantly.
- Always say his name in a positive tone. Remember, dogs do not understand what those words mean. They listen to the sound and the tone.
- Training rule: 5 repetitions or 5 minutes, whichever comes first. Dogs too are easily bored. Following commands is work, do not overbore and overwork them.
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