Any command may be taught in the same manner as you have just learned. Don’t use this technique indiscriminately. We can work several commands at once, but right now while everyone is just getting familiar with this new approach, and your dog is still “upside-down” with the changes he’s going through, don’t rush.
Here is an example of a commonly desired command that you will find useful. This example is meant to more thoroughly show you the concept.
Any command, for any reason, in any circumstances, can be substituted.
But remember, we do not want your dog to “do things”, but learn things. Conditioned reflex makes things happen, without understanding.
Use it sparingly, especially at the beginning. Let’s say you want your pet to go in the other room.
You might select the phrase, “go in the other room, good boy”.
You might select the word room as your “key” or “cue” word.
Present your command in the described manner, and continue on to your fourth request, and present your sound appropriately beyond your dog.
At this, move forward while continuing to praise him as you go into the ordered room, and thoroughly praise and pat him upon completion.
But, what if he did not follow through?
Defer to your “come” command, which you know he has been properly conditioned to.
Upon completing the “come” command, you should find him there, in the other room, with yourself.
Now, as you return to where you were when you first issued your command to “go in the other room good boy”, you should find your dog satisfactorily waiting in the other room.
Not to be surprised if you find him right there with you, in your original places. What went wrong?
Well, if he negotiated his way into the other room, even if only to follow you in there on your fourth request, did he not perform the original command?
Of course he did, but he immediately broke it when you left that room.
What may be done when your dog breaks his command?
Also, what may be done when your dog does a behavior you would rather he not do?
Tags: labrador training, puppy training