Having a dog who’ll retrieve in your home has many perks: the fun of fetch, a helper to carry in the groceries, a drink delivered to you. Few things in life are more astounding. On the other hand, nothing may be more
frustrating than the retriever turned inside out — the comic fellow who runs away from you or brings thing back to you but taunts you with them just out of reach.
In reality, there isn’t too much distance between the cooperative retriever and the ham. Both are thinking of their owner when they have something in their mouth. The Good Retriever has been taught to share. Mister Comedian has been taught that treasures are best kept to oneself. Of course, not everybody loves a comedian.
The tricks in this chapter go from the basic fetch to more complex variationson the theme — not to worry though, because if you’re game, I’ll walk you through each step. For some of the tricks, like picking up the trash and fetching the laundry, your dog should know the touch and target exercises I cover before. These exercises and commands make it easier for your dog to understand your directions, especially when you’re working on sequence tricks. Clickers are also useful and can really help your dog put it all together. Check out prior for more on clickers and target training.
The basics: “Sniff” and “Find”
To train a good detective, you must start with the basics: “Sniff” and “Find.”
What better way to get that sniffer going than with some tasty treats? I’ve
divided this foundational skill into three, easy-to-master stages. Make sure
your dog feels confident and successful at every stage.
Stage 1
1. Gather some good-smelling treats, go to a large room or hallway, and
place your dog in a “Sit–Stay” on-leash.
2. Say “Sniff” as you hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose.
Discourage any taste-testing with “Ep, ep.”
3. Remind “Stay,” and toss the treat no more than 3 feet in front of you.
If your dog moves, snap the leash and remind “Stay.”
4. Release with “Okay, find.”
Praise your dog for locating and gobbling the treat.
5. Gradually extend your toss to not more than 10 feet.
Once your dog perfects this part of the trick, move on to the next stage.
Always vary the amount of time you pause before releasing your dog so that
he won’t jump the gun. Pause 3, 10, 14, or 20 seconds — mix it up. The pauses
encourage your dog to concentrate on your commands.
Stage 2
1. Command “Sniff” and “Stay” as before, but leave your dog’s side and
place the treat inches in front of him.
2. Return to your dog’s side, pause, and release him with “Okay– Find.”
3. Gradually extend your distance to not more than 15 feet.
At this point, your dog may lose sight of the treat and have to rely on his
sniffer to find it.
Unlike humans, dogs have better peripheral vision than they do distance
vision. That’s why when you see something in front of you, your dog may not.
Stage 3
Now you’re ready to put your four-footed detective to the test:
1. Place your dog on a “Stay” about 4 feet from the entrance to the room.
2. Instruct “Sniff,” remind “Stay,” and place your treat out of sight around the corner.
3. Return to your dog, pause, and then send him off with “Okay– Find.”
Cheer him on if he seems confused. You may have to get on all fours
yourself and sniff around, though you should praise him enthusiastically
regardless of how he locates the treat.
Once your dog has the idea and is racing to put his nose to work, you can
progressively hide the treat in more challenging places. And who’s to say
that you have to hide just one?
This game was my dog Kyia’s favorite one to play. I used vegetables, hiding
four or five while I was making a salad, just to keep her busy.
No comments:
Post a Comment