Teaching your dog new tricks

Big School

So! Welcome to big school. Or dog school rather. It might not come as a surprise to you that you absolutely have to teach your dog essential commands. Depending on your dog (breed, character, age, etc) that can be a fun time or a deeply depressing experience. But rest assured, it will always be a time of strengthening and deepening the bond between you and your dog. And that’s awesome. Also: you don’t just teach your dog, you are learning yourself just as much as the dog, if not a great deal more. So be patient. 

Gilmore Girls Season Seven and Warp 10

Most days I am really looking forward to just spending some quality time with Bea. She loves learning and the snacks she gets. But it is strange, let me tell you. It’s like watching this one episode of your favorite show that you really hate. Breaking Bad’s “Fly” comes to mind, or Star Trek Voyager’s “Threshold”, or the entire season seven of Gilmore Girls (or at least ep seven “French Twist”). The point is, you look forward to watching the episode even though you know it might not be as great as you want it to be. Some days Bea is on fire and everything works. And other days it is just like reaching warp 10 or having a freaking fly contaminate the lab. She is inattentive, hyperactive and bored at the same time. Most of the time that is more on me than on her, I know that. I hope this post can help you with your dog.

The List

Teaching a dog a new command or trick involves several important steps. I have listed the ones that I try to stick to, whenever me and Bea are learning a new trick. 

She always knows the exact number of snacks I have on me.

1. Choose the Right Command or Trick:

Select a command or trick that is appropriate for your dog's age, physical abilities, and temperament. Start out simple before progressing to more complex ones. The basic commands like sit, stay, down etc can give you a great idea about the dynamics of learning in general. 

2. Break Down the Trick:

Break down the trick into smaller, manageable steps or behaviors. This makes it easier for your dog to understand and master each component of the trick. Also try to pay close attention from the get go. For example, we taught Bea how to spin. And it was not going great until we realized that we tried to make her spin in the wrong direction. As soon as we changed the direction to clockwise, we were golden. 

3. Be Prepared:

Gather all training supplies you may need, such as treats, a clicker (if using clicker training), a dummy (we got a couple of these funny guys from Wolters), etc. You might want to use a pouch for the treats, so they are easily accessible. Timing is key! And choose a quiet training environment free from distractions (and yes, that includes leaving your phone in the other room/at home).

4. Training Routine:

Set aside dedicated training sessions with your dog, keeping them short (5-10 minutes) to maintain focus and motivation. Consistency and regular practice are also key to success. You’ll notice when your dog starts drifting off. That’s a good point to stop. The active periode will get longer and longer as you maintain a proper routine.

5. Capture Interest and Attention:

Get in the zone with your dog before starting the training session. Use treats, toys, or verbal cues to get your dog excited and engaged in the training process. For training we almost always use the Hunderunde snacks (aff), their are the perfect size, virtually no fat and vegan, so we can snack away!

Hunderunde Hundehappen - great treats for training

6. Positive Reinforcement:

I’ve mentioned this a hundred times now, I know. But positive reinforcement techniques are just the way to go to encourage and reward your dog's desired behaviors. You can use treats or praise to reinforce each step of the command or trick. I know people who actually trained their dog completely without treats. Takes longer, yes, but might be the challenge you’re looking for. 

7. Clear and Consistent:

Use clear and consistent cues and hand signals. Break down the command/trick into individual steps and show your dog how to perform each step. As of Mai 2024 me and Bea have managed to have Bea follow her basic commands without me saying a single word. She knows by my hand gestures alone to sit, lie down, put her snout on the ground, etc. To get her attention, I point to my nose, so most of the time I don’t even have to say her name, to start.

8. Shape and Guide:

Shape your dog's behavior by guiding them through each step using luring, shaping, or targeting techniques. Use treats (or a target stick or leash) to guide your dog's movements and encourage them to perform the desired behavior. Be gentle and patient. 

9. Repetition Repetition Repetition:

Repeat each step of the trick 5 gazillion times. And then again. If anything, it will teach you patience. Only gradually increase the difficulty or add new elements as your dog progresses. Practice each step until your dog can perform it reliably before moving on to the next step.

10. Capture and Mark Success:

Capture and mark your dog's successes with a marker (such as "Yes!" or a clicker) to signal that they have performed the desired behavior correctly. Immediately follow the marker with a reward to reinforce the behavior. Starting out small means small. Sometimes it might be best, to just wait until your dog shows the desired action on their own. Let’s say you’re learning “watch me”: instead of constantly trying to lure your dog's eyes to yours with a treat or even turning their head with your hands, just wait until they actually look you in the eyes just by themselves. It might take a while (staring in eyes isn’t exactly a dog’s most peaceful behavior), but it’ll come much easier and more naturally. 

Bonus, baby!

11. Generalize and Proof:

Once you are solid, move on out: Generalize the trick to different environments, distractions, and situations to ensure that your dog can perform it reliably in various contexts. Proof the trick by gradually increasing distractions, distance, and duration.

12. Celebrate Progress:

Celebrate your dog's progress and successes throughout the training process. Offer plenty of praise, affection, and rewards to keep your dog motivated and engaged.

And know that a command or trick learned means a more peaceful walk, a deeper bond and also it means that you learned something. Good for you! Well done! Do you use treats when learning with your dog? If yes, who gets the treats? Have you ever used a clicker? Tell me in the comments!