Unleash the Wow Factor: 5 Easy Dog Tricks to Impress Your Friends
Teaching a pet is a component of the educational process. Training is needed to instill a four-legged friend of discipline skills.
- Teaching a pet is a component of the educational process. Training is needed to instill a four-legged friend of discipline skills.
Teaching a pet is a component of the educational process. Training is needed to instill a four-legged friend of discipline skills. A well-mannered dog is the pride and security of the owner. With a disciplined pet, you will be insured against possible problems during walks, from a mess in the house, nibbled slippers, unexpected barking, frightened passers-by and other troubles. Therefore, the teams need to teach a puppy as soon as possible – dog handlers recommend starting classes from three months of age.
Why need to train a dog
The set of commands for non-neglecting dogs can be the most diverse. Some owners ask a four-legged friend to bring slippers, others command “protect! ”, Others teach the pet to bow. Dogs have good learning and can learn a variety of skills.
Of course, the first need for learning teams is education. The dog should understand the ban and perform the simplest actions so that the whole family is comfortable to live with a four-legged favorite.
The second most important reason is discipline. When training, the dog is placed on the step below the person and understands that it is not a leader. This forms an obedient, but at the same time the respectful behavior of the animal.
The third reason is if the dog started for specific purposes (watchman, guide, companion, hunter), it must be able to perform specific commands. Usually they are learned under the guidance of an experienced coach.
An additional, so to speak, bonus advantages include a joint fun pastime of the owner and four-legged. Both learn to understand and respect each other, there is a rapprochement and a strong friendly connection arises.
How to teach a dog to teams: yourself or with a coach?
Despite the fact that the dog is considered the best friend of a person with outstanding intelligence, initially any puppy is a sweet naughty creature. He has the habit of doing what he wants, without looking back at the desire and request of his master. Puppy training teams at home must start as early as possible. The ideal age for learning the first teams is 2-3 months. At this time, the puppy may well master the simplest skills.
The upbringing of an obedient animal is a long, time-consuming process that requires patience and endurance. This is not for every owner, so inexperienced dog breeders often turn to the instructor. But, if you do not plan to drive a four-legged friend to the exhibitions or you have a decorative breed, you can do training at home.
Home training has many advantages:
- The animal is engaged in the usual environment, without experiencing stress;
- The dog is accustomed to listen to its master;
- Saving time for the road;
- Savings of financial resources.
- Cons of independent training:
- Takes more time;
- The effectiveness of classes in inexperienced breeders is lower (especially if the breed refers to difficult to train);
- Limited types of services and teams that can be trained by a dog;
- There remains the likelihood of errors by the owner, which can lead to consolidation of unwanted skills in the dog.
- If you decide to train your pet yourself, be prepared for the fact that you will have to show severity. For the correct, successful execution of commands, you need to praise the dog, and for non-fulfillment – show your discontent. Animals catch intonations very well, so it is quite enough to express their disappointment in a Speak.
If you do not have any experience of dog breeding or you have a breed that requires strict education, it is advisable to seek advice to the instructor. He will tell you how to teach the dog to commands at home, taking into account its character, temperament and breed. It is not necessary that the dog be thoroughbred – the mongrels also need good education.
The advantages of teaching an animal with a coach:
- Saving your time and effort;
- At the end of the courses, a certificate is issued – it can come in handy at exhibitions and competitions;
- A professional approach – the result will be achieved in any case.
- The dog gets used to the school conditions and the trainer – the owner will have to make efforts so that its skills are transferred to everyday life;
- Stress for the dog, especially for the puppy;
- The services of the instructor are not so cheap.
Each owner decides for himself whether to turn to a trainer or to raise a dog on his own. In both cases, the dog breeder will have to take the issue seriously and take responsibility.
Another important point in training is the self-discipline of the owner. Without it, it is almost impossible to raise an obedient dog – the owner needs to work not only on raising the animal, but also on himself. If you feel a lack of rigor and constancy behind you, it is better to contact a professional trainer.
What training courses are there
If you decide to use the services of a professional trainer, your next step is to choose a training program. Training courses are of several types. Each course not only determines how to teach the dog certain commands, but also solves a number of additional tasks.
This is a general training course (abbreviated as OKD), which includes basic commands for dogs, which can be trained by a pet of any breed – from a shepherd dog to a toy terrier.
The skills and abilities acquired in this course form the basis for the formation of conditioned reflexes in the animal.
After passing the OKD, your dog will learn:
- Walk next to the trainer / owner;
- Do not pick up anything from the ground;
- Understand the prohibition command;
- Listen to commands: landing, laying, stand;
- Execute the command "Fetch"
- Know your place;
- Respond to a call;
- Do not respond to noise stimuli.
The duration of classes in general training courses is 2-4 months, classes are held 1-2 times a week.
This course is suitable for those who are faced with such problems:
- The dog does not obey for a walk, does not want to walk on a leash, and if you let it go, it constantly runs away;
- Barks and jumps at passers-by, cyclists, joggers;
- Picks up trash on the street;
- Behaves aggressively towards other animals;
- Terrified of city noise.
The purpose of the UGS (managed city dog) course is not only to teach the animal adequate behavior in urban conditions, but also to show the owner how to manage the pet in everyday life. The course is designed for hobby dog breeders who are looking for a simple, comfortable and easy-to-handle companion dog.
Ugs in many ways resembles OKD, and only an experienced dog handler will be able to see the fundamental difference between one course and another. The UGS exam includes a test of only 8 skills that are necessary for a comfortable life for a person and a dog in a big city. These skills include:
- Calm attitude to city noise;
- Lack of fear before traveling in transport;
- Friendly and peaceful attitude towards strangers and animals;
- Obedience on a walk and at home;
- Knowledge of the "Fu" command.
Okd is the basis for mastering more complex courses: protective guard, service, etc.
The Protective Guard Service (ZKS) is aimed at developing security and protective skills in a pet. The course was developed in the middle of the 20th century in the USSR. Basically, such training is designed to train guard, guard, escort, patrol dogs. However, the course is in great demand among amateur dog breeders: it helps to educate a guard dog.
It is important to know that this training course cannot be completed on your own. To successfully pass the exam, you need classes exclusively with an experienced dog handler and instructor. In addition, to pass the course, your dog must meet a number of requirements:
- Age at least one year;
- The dog must have a strong nervous system and a stable psyche;
- Good sense of smell and hearing, no problems with teeth and jaw;
- The dog must know the OKD course;
- To have muscles, to be physically developed.
Service and rescue
The search and rescue service is considered one of the most difficult among all training courses. The rescue dog certification program includes a set of obedience and agility exams.
The exam tests the following skills:
- Sampling things by smell;
- Search for the victim's belongings;
- Digging up a thing or person.
Search and rescue dogs must meet the following criteria: be completely healthy and physically fit, have an ideal sense of smell, sight and hearing, be friendly to people, have a strong nervous system, be purposeful and reckless, quickly adapt to external conditions.
A separate area of the service and rescue service is the training of guide dogs. Guide for the blind is one of the most prestigious canine “professions”. In USA, only a few specialized centers are engaged in the training of guide dogs. The most commonly used guide dog is the Labrador Retriever. The second most popular are German Shepherds.
Sports
If you want your dog not only to be obedient, but also strong, hardy, to win prizes in competitions, then you cannot do without a special sports training course.
Sports training is not only animal training and proper behavior in sports competitions, but also maintaining an excellent physical shape in a dog. Moreover, such classes will deliver a lot of pleasure to both the animal himself and its owner. Therefore, many dog breeders prefer dogological sport to all other types of training.
The main teams for dogs, which is trained during sports training, are not very different from OKD or UGS. These are all the same “sit”, “fu”, “place”, “Heel”, etc. But all these teams are used to play sports and overcome obstacles.
The list of breeds suitable for sports exercises is quite wide. There are significantly more than those suitable for official work, since the requirements for their preparation are softer. Preparation can be carried out both independently and with a coach.
Sports disciplines for dogs have a wide variety that allows you to easily choose a breed for a particular type of dog sport. These are races, diving, freestyle, adzhility and others.
Rules and methods of dog training teams
There is an opinion that an adult dog cannot be trained: supposedly to master all the stages of the training course is real only in a puppy. It's a delusion. Of course, kids learn faster and easier to absorb information, but adult dogs also amazed. The main thing is to conduct training regularly, competently and show patience, not to be nervous when an adult dog does not absorb a lesson very quickly.
It is best to conduct training in a place familiar to the pet. It is desirable to lack distracting moments: machines, passers-by, other dogs, etc. If the territory is the unfamiliar, the animal must first study it, examine it in order to exclude possible dangers and calm down.
Do not conduct training immediately after waking up or after eating. In the summer, it is not recommended to conduct training in the middle of the day, since you can provoke dehydration, overheating and all related problems. If there is no other possibility, take a sufficient amount of drinking water for the pet.
Do not forget to take goodies for classes. Consider the preferences of your pet. For some dogs, the most delicious is dry dog food, for others – a piece of meat or a slice of cheese. In pet stores you can buy special cookies for training.
You can reward the dog not only with something tasty, but also praise, affection. This must be done correctly. If you encourage the pet for some action, you need to praise immediately. If the team has already been completed and has passed for some time, encouragement will be incorrectly understood by the pet.
If you decide to go yourself with your pet training, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Classes should be regular, ideally – daily. The duration of training should increase gradually. For the first lessons, 15 minutes are enough.
- You must give commands clearly, with special intonations. The dog should distinguish between the intonations of commands and incentive words.
- Repeat the order if the student has not completed it the first time, it is necessary no more than twice, otherwise he will lose his value. The dog will think that the fulfillment of the requirement is not necessary, and you can fulfill it from the tenth time.
- Before you command, you need to attract the attention of the animal – to pronounce its nickname.
- You can not lose self-control in the event of a pet’s failures in training, nervous, raising a Speak, especially beat the animal.
- For success, do not forget to reward a four-legged friend with an affectionate word or a delicious piece.
- Spend the initial classes in the same territory. After the dog gets used to training, the place can be changed.
Features of training
Puppy training teams at home should take place in the form of a game. It is better that the puppy at the initial stage of its “education” does not feel the difference between ordinary communication, game and training. Adult dogs need a more serious approach.
Puppy training
His behavior in the future depends on how to teach the puppy to the teams. It is worth starting up the dog with a three-month age. By this moment, the baby should know where his place is, and not to shit at home. The main rule of training is strictly forbidden to beat the puppy. If you want to punish, then express dissatisfaction with a strict Speak – this is enough.
The main teams with which you need to start training: “Come”, “fu”, “place”. Classes with a young dog should be systematic. You can start from 15-20 minutes a day, further bringing it to 40 minutes. If you carry out training longer, then the dog will simply get tired and will not perceive the owner.
In the process of training, you should take breaks for 5-10 minutes so that the dog rests. This applies to both puppies and adult dogs, especially if they had not previously underwent training.
Education of adult dogs
Teaching an adult dog is much more difficult than a puppy. Firstly, the animal has already developed their behavioral habits. Secondly, the stage of puberty occurred, and hormones very often prevent the animal from perceiving the team’s teams. Thirdly, an adult dog is not as open to a new one as a puppy.
Nevertheless, you can train an adult dog, and there are many positive examples. The main thing is to observe the sequence in the classroom, to be attentive and patient.
On average, it takes 3 months to a year to study basic teams. By teaching an adult dog, it is necessary to take into account its temperament and depending on this to adjust the methods of training. Try not to show negative emotions, not to make sudden movements, especially if the dog is prone to aggression, in the process, talk to the animal.
It is important to choose a suitable treat and change locations for walking. It is necessary to focus on the formation of a trusting relationship between the dog and its owner. This will help her and you quickly master the necessary skills.
Some owners resort to the help of electrical collars, but this method is recognized as inhumane. It is possible only under the guidance of the coach and in the case when the dog carries a danger to others.
Auxiliary objects
The key to good training is the right choice of inventory. Here is a minimum set of auxiliary objects, which should be for every dog breeder engaged in training his pet:
- A train bag, a feeding bag, a storage container for goodies-this element of equipment is called differently, but the essence is one-it contains a treat;
- Ordinary and strict (metal) collar;
- Short (1-1. 5 m) and long (10-12 m) leashes;
- Grasp – it is also called a “rope” – plays the role of a conditional enemy, to which the dog’s teeth redirect;
- Loasting, or Noose Leash – is recommended for classes with adults in the framework of a physical approach to training; It is better to purchase models with a latch, as they allow you to attach a strangle on the right section of the neck;
- Gantel is a surrogate substitute for the produced game, which the dog should bring at the command “Fetch”, and then give the trainer at the command “Give” Without a command, the dog should not respond to the abandoned dumbbell and lift it from the ground.
A strict collar is used to train dogs that are not sensitive enough to the usual in force of pain irritants. It is also recommended to purchase several toys for training a dog. The Arab ball, a puller and a regular rope are best suited.
List of team training teams
There is a basic set of teams that are consistent with the natural instincts of animals. Provided to systematic classes, a hardworking and patient owner will be able to independently train his puppy and grow an obedient, smart, “intelligent” dog.
First of all, you need to work out a response to the nickname and the skill to obedience. If the pet hears his name, some order, sees a warning sign, gesture-he must react.
Sit
A necessary and often used team that calls for a dog to stop and sit down at the right time. The dog must carry out this order immediately, regardless of mood or situation.
In the first classes, pronounce "Sit! "It follows when the puppy sits down itself. Then it is necessary to achieve execution by order of a person.
To work out the skill, a short leash and a treat will be required.
Show the pet and raise it up. At the same time, clearly say "sit! ". Pull the leash strap slightly up and press quietly on the cerebell of the pet. When the dog takes the necessary position, praise it.
The team is learned before starting the new element "Give me a paw! "
Lie
This team is not often used, but to know its dog is useful. For example, when examining a veterinarian, you can give the order “Lying! ”. This skill is mastered after the dog has learned the command "Sit! "
First, the owner commands “Sit! ”, And then, when the dog takes the necessary position, clearly says “Lying! ”And pulls the leash down, pressing slightly on the withers.
The movements must be performed carefully, without sharp shocks. Make sure that the dog lay down evenly, not falling on its side.
Service dogs are necessarily learning to take a lying position.
Stand!
Unlike the previous team, this order is used in everyday life much more often. When dressing or combing, this team helps a lot. It is not difficult to learn it at all, but it is better to start working out the skill after a six-month-old puppy reaches.
First, give the pet to the pet “sit! ”
When he takes the required position, clearly say "Stand! ". And raise the dog, grabbing it under the stomach, the owner must be on the right side;
After a pause of 4-5 seconds. Award the puppy.
Be patient for the pet who just began to study the team – he should not feel the annoyance and discontent of the owner, otherwise the study will not go for the future.
Place
Most dog owners allow their pets to move freely around the house and rest where they like. But regardless of where the dog prefers to be in the room, she should know her place and, when indicating the owner, go there. For this, the “place! ” Team is being worked out.
Prepare the treat and bring the puppy close to the rug. With your left hand, hold the collar, and with the right show the dog a reward. Then put the treat on the rug. The dog should eat it from the rug, and not from your hand, this is a key moment.
After you put the award in place, you must take the puppy a certain distance. Then you should clearly say "place! "And let go of the pet.
In the process of training, gradually increase the distance to the rug.
Then take the pet to another room and, releasing, command the “place! ”.
Dogs are easily trained in this team, but although it sounds strictly, it should not cause negative associations in the pet.
Come!
The most popular teams, since in real life they are used more often than others. Without mastering the team "Come! ". The dog will not become controlled, so it is worked out to the ideal. If the dog does not perform this command, it cannot be released without a leash for a walk. There were cases when this order saved the life of an animal.
Master the skill should be in stages:
First pronounce "Come! ". In a calm, even Speak, when the dog is already heading for you;
Then use the auxiliary objects that attract the attention of the animal (treat, toy), the distance between the owner and the pet at this stage should be small;
After achieving the first results, the distance should be increased, the goal is to achieve the execution of the order under conditions when the dog does not see a person and reacts only to the sound signal.
If you plan some unpleasant events for the pet (punishment, cutting claws, combing), do not use this team-so that the four-legged does not develop fear and the negative psychological “anchor”.
The team is "near! "It is used every day and belongs to the main ones. Its successful execution on walks, in public places, the dog breeder will insure the dog from unpleasant surprises.
Wait when the pet is walking up, his attention will not dissipate and he will not actively respond to external stimuli. It is better to work out this skill on the way home.
Use a short leash. Moving at a moderate pace, hold the leash near the collar and clearly say “Heel! ”.
If the pet goes off, direct it into place with a leash and repeat the requirement.
With successful absorption of the skill, change the pace. First, go for quick walking, and then to run.
Change the pace of movement, now accelerating, then slowing it. Regardless of the pace of movement, the dog should always be at the owner’s left leg and go in parallel.
The final stage is working out the skill without a leash.
Walk
This order is carried out by animals without any difficulty. Usually this team is given after completing some kind of task, for example, to pause in training sessions. The owner should simply say "Walk! ". And show with a gesture in the right direction. The development of this skill is practically not needed – four-legged ones learn it with lightning speed.
Shake (Paw)
Some dog breeders consider this team completely useless, since the dog can learn how to give a paw whenever the owner leans to it. However, this skill can come in handy when cutting nails or washing paws after a walk.
Prepare some kind of treat and stand in front of a sitting dog. Click the tidbit in your hand and show the pet. The dog will try to get it with your teeth, and when it doesn’t work, it will connect your paw.
It was then that I must say “Shake! ”. Take the paw in the hand and hold for a while.
It doesn’t matter, once again the pet gives a paw: it is worth awarding for this action every time, at least in words praise.
Stop and Stop That!
Or, in another variation, "Stop That! ". A prohibiting team that requires the dog to stop the performance of any action. This order belongs to the basic, mastering it is of great importance in the upbringing of a puppy. The team is often used to wean the dog to raise unfamiliar objects, rush to people, bite, etc.
The reception should be worked out on a sagging leash. At the moment when the dog intends to perform an undesirable action, you must sharply pull the leash and pronounce “Stop That! ” Strictly and clearly.
This order should be associated for a dog with unpleasant images.
The “Stop” or “Stop That! ” Team is a signal that does not require any physical effort from the dog, so it can and should be worked out and from 2 months of age of a puppy.
The principle of training here is this: a barking dog is distracted in any way, served the command “Stop That! ” And encouraged when the dog stopped barking.
The moment of encouragement is very important here: the dog must clearly associate the reward with the cessation of barking and at the same time understand that she achieves what she wants not by barking, but by silence. To do this, pause: if the dog has stopped barking, wait a bit and, if the barking does not repeat, reward – give a treat.
Fetch
The importance of this command is not as great as, for example, the “Sit! ” Commands, but this skill helps to walk an agile and energetic dog. It is worth starting to master it after working out the commands “Come! ” And "Sit! ". Learning algorithm:
- First you need to command “Sit! ”, And then show the pet some interesting object (stick, toy);
- When the puppy tries to take the object away, throw it away and order "Fetch! "
- Point your hand at the toy, the dog must understand where he should go;
- If the puppy does not return on its own, command "Come! ".
The skill is very quickly instilled in puppyhood. It is much more difficult to teach an adult dog to bring an object.
Speak
There are two main ways to teach your dog this command:
Prepare a treat for your four-legged friend, put on the collar and tie the leash to the collar, then press the leash to the ground with your foot so that the dog has little room to move. Raise your hand with a treat and say “Speak” several times: the dog should bark due to the inaccessibility of food and the inability to do anything. If the four-legged did this, reward him with a treat and repeat the action repeatedly until he starts barking only on command.
Does the dog begin to bark voluntarily while sitting at home or in the yard, hearing other dogs, or simply reacting to passers-by? In this case, it is necessary to repeat the “Speak” command and reward the dog with a treat.
This team is considered one of the most difficult for dogs. If you decide to teach your pet this command, it is important to remember that there are dogs that do not like to make any sounds, and some, for example, basenjis, simply do not know how to do this.
This command can be practiced only in dogs that have completed a basic training course (OKD) and are familiar with all the basic commands. It is necessary to take into account the mental characteristics of the pet. If he is unbalanced and poorly controlled, it is better to refuse to get acquainted with this team, since this is a rather dangerous skill that turns even a small dog into a weapon.
Teach the order "Attack! "Possible, starting from the age of six months, and under the guidance of a professional instructor. Having heard this order, the dog must attack the given object.
Wait
Mostly the "Wait" command is used in combination with other commands such as "Sit" or "Down! ". With these commands, the optimal exposure time is approximately 15 seconds.
Here's how to teach your dog to wait. It is necessary to come with the dog to the chosen place and calmly say: “Sit”. After the dog does this, give the command “Wait”. Next, you need to constantly say: “Sit, wait,” but at the same time slowly and calmly move back in small steps.
After walking a few steps, return to the pet and reward him with good words. Initially, you need to make a shutter speed of 10 seconds. Gradually, you will be able to increase the distance that you retreat, and, accordingly, the exposure time will increase.
Trick commands
Dog training can be a lot of fun for both of you. Doing tricks is a fun extension of basic obedience training. "Shake", somersault, whirl, bow – all these are trick commands that can be learned for fun and to consolidate a warm relationship with the animal.
Dogs love to do tricks because at these times they get a lot of attention from their owner, not to mention rewards in the form of treats. And people – for the fact that, on occasion, you can brag to your friends and say: “Look what my dog can do! ”.
Some tricks can take hours or even days to learn, but the results are well worth the effort. You can teach your dog to climb stairs backwards, you can teach him to skateboard, or to bring slippers to the bed.
Basically, trick training begins only after the dog learns to follow the basic commands: “Come! ”, “Sit! ”, “Stand! ”, “Down! ”, “Heel! ”.
While your dog is learning, give him a treat for every correct move he makes. Then your praise will often be enough for her.
If a puppy has appeared in your family, remember that when the situation changes, dogs experience serious nervous tensionpport the pet, feed yourself, communicate, try to build a trusting relationship. Do not skimp on care and attention when training and raising a dog, only in this case you will grow up a reliable and faithful four-legged friend, devoted to the owner to the very tip of the tail.
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