What are some things apart from the standard obedience and bitework commands that you teach your dogs? I'm not talking about tricks rather things that are convenient. Here are a few that I make use of. I'll add more as I remember them.
1. Leg up - This is for when the dog steps over the leash. Rather than bend down and recover it I put pressure on the leash and say leg up. Some dogs will sit and lift a leg, others learn to do it while standing. Same command for either of the front legs, the dog lifts the one that he feels the leash touching.
2. Relax - When I put the dog in a down and I know it will be for a little while I give the relax command. This simply means that the dog will roll his back end to one side and his back legs will come out from underneath him. They end up doing that on their own anyways so I just like to get him comfortable quicker.
3. Heel with a bicycle - Maybe this is still basic obedience but I thought I'd mention it. Same position as the regular heel. The dog maintains it through changes of pace, turns, and also sits automatically when the bike stops.
4. Place - With this command the dog will go to a designated spot with a mat where he will stay until he sees I don't care any more. The spot is strategically chosen as from there he can see the front door. I give the place command when someone comes to the door and I go to open it, as well as when the dog gets over stimulated and I want him to gain control of himself.
5. Backup - When at heel and we both need to adjust our position and move backwards I give the back up command, usually accompanied with a few backwards taps on the leash. I do not expect a backwards heel just a few steps back and the dog is still in the heel position.
6. Tighten up - Sitting at heel if the dogs rear is too far to the left and/or he's slightly forward I use tighten up. The dog will jump and swing his rear, with the leash/collar attachment point as the pivot point, closer into me. Some people use that kind of movement to have the dog return to heel after the recall instead of going around the back. I believe that style is called the military finish, the dog jumps to his right to assume the sit at heel position. I just use it to adjust the sit at heel position. You can gradually extend the the distance the dog is out of position and then use tighten up as the command for the military finish.
The most important command for me is my "pay attention to me" command... All it takes is a low "Hey", or if there is more than one dog involved, I'll whisper the name of that dog.
It's very important for me to be able to maintain an individual's attention during high pressure scenarios. This is useful to break a dog's natural reaction to act(thinking on his own), by looking to me for a command.
I use "hey" as a correction of sorts when I'm too surprised to articulate something better. Maybe it's just as good that way as it comes with meaning and the dog senses it. The dog will stop what it's doing and look to me to see what I want. Usually it ends there, sometimes there's a follow up command.
"STOP"- used when the dog is at a distance and I want him to freeze where he is, not come to me. very useful when in the mountains.
"HIKE"- used when backpacking in woods when having the dog in the HEEL position is impractical. allows the dog to travel within a 20' radius. sort of a very loose off leash heel.
"GO TO (persons name)"- also useful when backpacking. the dog carries the water bottles in his pack and is usually in front with me. when I want to send him back to another family member I comand GO TO SUE and he will report to Sue. Once by her side, she can get a water bottle out of his pack and then send him back to me by commanding GO TO JIM.
"PLACE"- this is useful when walking on a crowded sidewalk. Instead of HEEL which tells the dog to heel on my left side, PLACE tells him to heel on my right side.
Interesting .... since my verbal commands are very basic and used very little in the field . Usually just whistles and hand signals. Just different disciplines.
Dogs: I'm the trainer of a police canine unit. I don't personally own dogs
Posts: 201
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanE
I like the "go to" command. I think I'll try to teach it in the future. Any tips on how to do it?
Start with raised platforms in a diamond pattern, similar to a baseball field. The dog can be taught directions using hand, whistle and/or verbal signals, ie back, up, left, right etc. Teach the dog to go to the places only on command. Start with the "pitcher's mound" and then work the "bases". Eventually you can add distance and delete the platforms.
The "STOP" command is an absolute necessity in many venues.
Start with raised platforms in a diamond pattern, similar to a baseball field. The dog can be taught directions using hand, whistle and/or verbal signals, ie back, up, left, right etc. Teach the dog to go to the places only on command. Start with the "pitcher's mound" and then work the "bases". Eventually you can add distance and delete the platforms.
The "STOP" command is an absolute necessity in many venues.
DFrost
Exactly, David. "Walking the bases" is a great drill. Obviously imperative in retriever drills but I can see it being imperative for other lines of work .
And the first command I teach any dog is the 'whoa' or 'stop'; adhereing to both whistle, one blast for 'whoa sit' and two to 'return' ,visual ques, and verbal.
Extra things to teach the dog
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