I Know Dogs I found that humans and dogs could learn new behaviors.
Since all dogs are above average, it should be no biggie.
Even humans can learn new tricks, like my editor.
(An old dog that has learned new clicks.
) Some dogs like balls.
Others are very focused on food.
Most love attention.
(My editor, loves food and attention...
balls too, yes, meatballs.
) Don't assume that whatever works for your neighbor's pooch will work for yours.
You may have to try more than one approach before finding the best motivator.
Once you know what will work, you can teach just about any canine or human a new behavior.
(As an example, my editor is a little different because he doesn't do what normal neighbors do.
He is so vain that he over responds to compliments, attention, and food at the same time.
His best motivator is all three together.
Then he pets me on the head and throws me a treat.
) Try these 3 basic tricks that I learned from experience.
1.
Become The Boss.
Manage the relationship between you and your dog.
The animal may need to see you as the pack leader, particularly if you have an animal with behavior issues.
I liken it to the difference between being the boss, who is often reserved with employees, and the secretary, who is more accessible.
" (I can teach my editor to feed me just by whimpering.
I raise my paw and he shakes hands with me.
That's boss training.
) 2.
Use Behavior Modification.
Break the desired outcome down into smaller steps.
If you want your dog to learn to roll over, first reinforce having the dog lie down.
Next, have her lie down and roll onto her side.
Finally, encourage her to roll completely over.
It can take a little longer, but this process will stick with the dog better.
Another example, my editor is so penurious with the dog food...
the cheapest brand, that I refuse to eat it and I make him give me a balanced diet.
He does.
That's training.
3.
Manage The Environment.
If squirrels running up the tree in the yard distract your dog, then don't try training him outside.
Instead, find a place with few or no distractions so as to focus his attention.
(Humans are easily distracted, not by squirrels, but by the TV, the telephone, and the doorbell.
I have trained him to bypass all this by pretending to go pee and interrupting his focus.
Works every time if we manage the environment.
) Dogs rule.
Try these trick tips with your dog.
Since all dogs are above average, it should be no biggie.
Even humans can learn new tricks, like my editor.
(An old dog that has learned new clicks.
) Some dogs like balls.
Others are very focused on food.
Most love attention.
(My editor, loves food and attention...
balls too, yes, meatballs.
) Don't assume that whatever works for your neighbor's pooch will work for yours.
You may have to try more than one approach before finding the best motivator.
Once you know what will work, you can teach just about any canine or human a new behavior.
(As an example, my editor is a little different because he doesn't do what normal neighbors do.
He is so vain that he over responds to compliments, attention, and food at the same time.
His best motivator is all three together.
Then he pets me on the head and throws me a treat.
) Try these 3 basic tricks that I learned from experience.
1.
Become The Boss.
Manage the relationship between you and your dog.
The animal may need to see you as the pack leader, particularly if you have an animal with behavior issues.
I liken it to the difference between being the boss, who is often reserved with employees, and the secretary, who is more accessible.
" (I can teach my editor to feed me just by whimpering.
I raise my paw and he shakes hands with me.
That's boss training.
) 2.
Use Behavior Modification.
Break the desired outcome down into smaller steps.
If you want your dog to learn to roll over, first reinforce having the dog lie down.
Next, have her lie down and roll onto her side.
Finally, encourage her to roll completely over.
It can take a little longer, but this process will stick with the dog better.
Another example, my editor is so penurious with the dog food...
the cheapest brand, that I refuse to eat it and I make him give me a balanced diet.
He does.
That's training.
3.
Manage The Environment.
If squirrels running up the tree in the yard distract your dog, then don't try training him outside.
Instead, find a place with few or no distractions so as to focus his attention.
(Humans are easily distracted, not by squirrels, but by the TV, the telephone, and the doorbell.
I have trained him to bypass all this by pretending to go pee and interrupting his focus.
Works every time if we manage the environment.
) Dogs rule.
Try these trick tips with your dog.
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