Many dog training problems occur from confusion and inconsistency. Sometimes these inconsistencies are so subtle that you don’t even realize that they are causing confusion for your dog.
Here are some situations and commands we often see as professional dog trainers, that can cause confusion for your dog:
Calling your dog to come towards you
When you want your dog to run towards you, you should use a command such as HERE or COME. We often see clients using their dog’s name to call the dog. This can cause confusion. Especially if your dog is a hunting dog, since the command to send your dog for a retrieve is their name.
In addition, using your dog’s name to call them can be confusing if you also use a HERE or COME command. Ideally, you should only have one command for each action. So, if you are using a HERE command, and sometimes you use your dog’s name for the same action, your dog might be confused on what action you are expecting from him.
Redundant commands like SIT and STAY
We often see clients using redundant commands like SIT and STAY. If your dog has been taught to SIT, the dog should understand that he needs to stay sitting until you give another command. The STAY command just assumes the dog is going to move when you move rather than being obedient and staying in the SIT position.
You are much better off to work on strengthening your dog’s SIT command than adding a STAY command.
Stopping jumping with a DOWN command
Jumping is a constant problem with many dogs. This issue can be fixed, if you are willing to do the work. But the problem I often see is that most people are inconsistent with their command and correction to fix this problem.
For instance, many people teach their dog the DOWN command, having the dog lay down on the ground. But then, these same people will yell DOWN to a jumping dog expecting them to understand that in this instance, they meant stop jumping on me.
Remember, each command should be associated with only one action.
We use the command OFF to communicate to our dogs that they should not jump on us or anyone else.
If you want to use DOWN for this action, that is fine if you do not also use the DOWN command to communicate that the dog should lay down.
With hunting dogs, we prefer not to teach them to lay down because we find that this creates problems later in training. The dogs that learn the DOWN command, as lay down, tend to try to escape pressure and training by laying down.
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Releasing your dog
A release command is very important because it lets your dog know that they no longer need to stay next to you and be obedient, but rather can run around and be a dog.
If you don’t already use a release command, I suggest you implement one. We use the command OKAY. Our dogs have been taught that when we say OKAY, they can now run around and go smell things. They no longer are required to be under firm obedience control.
We often see clients use their dog’s name for the release command. Again, this can confuse the dog because the name may also be used as a go command to send the dog for a retrieve. In addition, saying the dog’s name will often bring them tighter, not loosen them up, which is what a release command should do.
Sending your dog for a retrieve
Many people don’t use any command when they practice retrieving with their dog. They just throw the ball or bumper and let the dog do whatever they want.
This may be okay for companion dogs, but it is not okay for hunting dogs. Retrieving is the work our hunting dogs do, and they should not be allowed to just go when they feel like it and return when they feel like it.
We use the dog’s name to send our dogs and that is common practice for hunting and hunt test situations. Other people send their dog for a retrieve using the command FETCH or GO. This can be problematic if your dog has been trained for hunting and has been through a force fetch program.
The force fetch program gives us the ability to enforce a fetch, and the command used to enforce it is FETCH. That command should only be used in situations where you must force your dog to retrieve something he has decided not to retrieve. It should never be used for general retrieving.
Using the name to send your dog is also very important if you ever hunt with more than one dog at a time. If you use the FETCH command and you have more than one dog, both dogs will go for the bird. This can be a very dangerous situation. You do not want you dog fighting with another dog for a retrieve. Or worse, deciding they no longer need to retrieve because the other dog is faster or stronger than they are.
Using the dog’s name eliminates this confusion. You can choose which dog to send and when.
When dog is delivering a bird or bumper
When your dog is delivering a bird or bumper to you, it is often helpful to use a command to let the dog know when he should release the item to you.
We use a GIVE command. We reach down, take hold of the bird or bumper with our hand, and then command GIVE. Some people use a DROP command. This is fine, but just be clear. You do not want the dog to drop the bird or bumper on the ground. If you teach your dog to drop the bird on the ground, this could eventually get to be a bigger issue with the dog dropping the bird on the way back from the retrieve. We want a hand delivery if possible.
Final thoughts on are you using these dog commands correctly?
It is less important what the exact command name is, and more important that you assign one specific action to each word. Monitor your use of commands for a while and see if you are confusing your dog in any way by using multiple commands for the same action or one command for multiple actions. You may be surprised.
If you need some help training your retriever, you can email me (ottertailkennels@gmail.com). I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer.
Until next time, happy retrieving.
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