training
Training in the Real World Anna Bradley considers the wider implications of training some of the standard, basic cues and their applications to real life
© Can Stock Photo / ksuksa
© Can Stock Photo / RaZZeRs
Stand can be a useful cue to teach dogs, for example for dogs who like to get muddy and need regular baths, or who need a lot of grooming
A “watch” cue helps teach dogs positive engagement and is a useful background listening skill for recall, leash walking, and multiple behavioral issues
N
a big dog, this is something you want to start early on because it’s no fun being thundered out of the way by a hulk of a dog. It can also be dangerous. I’ll also take the sit outside and build up the duration, e.g. sit plus an extended amount of calm time equals a reward. This sit + settle builds calmness. I will go to places frequented by people but stay on the fringes, practice my sit and provided my dog is able to cope, will pro gressively work to get closer over the coming weeks. So I’m essentially working on a desensitization procedure and response substitution. I might also work on sit inside the home in a designated area and on some location training with something like a carpet square. I can use this to work on calm greetings when people call at the house.
ew puppy guardians will often take their charges to a puppy class, not only to learn basic skills but also so their pups can ben efit from the positive effects of socialization. A wellrun class can have a fantastic effect on a young puppy’s emotional wellbeing and greatly aid confidence and social interactional skills. Sometimes, though, guardians attend a puppy course for a few weeks and that’s it. It is a personal choice, of course, as to how many classes or courses a guardian attends with their pup, but they may find themselves stopping when their dog is only just starting to really absorb things. It can be frustrating when puppies are distracted by so many en vironmental stimuli and this can cause guardians to switch off from training and become disheartened. But this is the nature of puppyhood and to continue is to learn, win, and succeed in later life, as well as build a better bond together. While skills may be learned in class, reallife learning is done at home, every day. This means during play, during walks, and during every fun opportunity together – not just during that one hour in a classroom. What we are doing is teaching our dogs a skill set. We teach them things to facilitate our lives with them, to make their lives safer and other peo ple’s lives around them safer. It’s about being responsible. Let’s take ‘sit’ as an example. In addition to training the skill itself, there are also the multiple reallife practical applications of where this behavior can be useful. In reality, we’re not just teaching our dogs a sim ple ‘sit.’ We’re teaching them a skill that can keep them calm, ease their stress, maybe save their life, or help us negotiate a complex situation. This is what I mean by realworld training.
Sit I start teaching young puppies sit as soon as they come home. It’s part of teaching manners around the household. I like my dogs to be polite and ask nicely for the treats they receive. I’ll start in the first week ask ing puppy to sit at every doorway so I don’t get barged past. If you have
38
BARKS from the Guild/March 2021
Down Working on teaching a lie down is applicable to the same types of sce narios as sit but because the dog is lying completely prone, they often become more settled. In this case, I will work on building up the time the dog spends lying down. I will do it progressively because some dogs tend to find it quite difficult. If I can build a great lie down over time, I essentially have a dog I can take anywhere (assuming the dog is okay with that – not all dogs will be, so I also need to take that into consideration and make sure I am not putting him in situations he is uncomfortable with). If I want to visit places like cafés, restaurants, etc., there will be times when my dog needs to just be still and keep to himself. In such scenarios, having a great lie down is a fabulous asset. The same is true at home. Being able to cue my dog to lie down during mealtimes so he won’t beg at the table, or lie in a particular spot when I have guests, can make everyone’s lives easier.
Stay Stay can be a real lifesaver and is also great for teaching impulse control.
