Third project subject: dog tricks

Teaching a dog simple tricks helps the bond between you. Dogs enjoy pleasing their owners and a well-trained dog is a happy dog! The only difficulty is in making the dog understand what you want. Commands should be given in a firm, low voice. Don't expect them to understand perfectly  the first time. Be prepared to come back to the same commands again and again, leaving a few days between. Most dogs are perfectly willing to jump through hoops(literally) for their owners.

Speak

This comes under the group of tricks from observed behavior. If a dog does something and a command word is uttered and a treat given every time, they will quickly associate the treat and the pat with the command word. Say "Speak!" when they bark and in a short time they will bark on command. Saying "Are you sleepy?" when they yawn works in exactly the same way.

Sit

Everyone is familiar with this one. It is important that a dog should know to pause at every curb rather than rush across. Sitting helps to make the importance of roads. Repetition is the key here-even bright dogs like collies can take two years to become well trained. Do not expect overnight results with any of these. Press the dog's hindquarters down firmly, while saying "Sit." Then give a treat-a piece of biscuit, for example. It doesn't have to be much. A pat on the head will probably do, but you'll find training easier with some sort of small reward to hand out.

Down

Always follows "Sit." Point firmly at the floor in front of the dog's head. As with teaching them to "speak," you might try this when they are on their stomachs naturally. Otherwise you can try placing them in the "down" position maually, then express delight and give them a treat. They should remain upright, like a sphinx.

Play dead

Usually follows "Down." Dying involves lying completely flat on their side. You may have to press you hand gently against the dog's head to indicate what you want it to do. Dogs love this and though they lie still, their tails wag madly. Keep your voice very low and tough the tail, saying slowly, "Dead dogs don't wag..." Hold it for two or three seconds, then get them up and give them a pat and a treat.

Paw

This is one you have to demonstrate. Simply lift the dog's paw in you hand and shake hands gently before giving them a treat. Follow the the command "Other paw" for them to swap over. It won't be long before they offer paws on a command. I had a terrier who took forever to get this, but he managed it in the end.

Over

This is used when you want the dog to run-to cross a street swiftly is the most common use. Train the dog by holding their collar and raising your tome in excitement, holding them back. When all is clear, say "Over!" loudly and let them run. They will probably not cross neatly the first few dozen times, so don't train them near cars.

Heel

Crucial when walking a dog on the lead. It is tiring and annoying to have a dog pull as it walks along. Curb the habit early with a sharp jerk of the lead and a very firm tone as you say the command work. Puppies are excitable and curious. They often take a long time to learn this. Be careful not to hurt them and do not worry about looking like a fool. Anyone who has ever had a puppy has walked along a street saying "Heel" over and over and over again without any clear effect. To state the obvious, the dog does not understand why you are calling out parts of your feet. You are setting up a link in their minds between the word and the action of being jerked back. It will probably  take a good year for this to work, depending on how young the puppies are when you get them. Be patient. It's good practice for controlling your temper when you have children later on. Seriously. Like a lot of things in life, early work bears fruit when it really matters.

Stay

This is another important one to teach early. Most dog owners have been surprised by a situation where the dog is far away and suddenly there's a car coming toward you. If you can tell the dog to "Stay" and have it remain still, a serious accident can be avoided. This is taught with the aid of a pocketful of treats and many afternoons. You have the dog sit and say "Stay!" in your deep command voice. You hold up your hand at the same time, showing the dog a flat palm. You take a step back. If the dog follows you, return it to the same spot and begin again. Begin with three steps and then give it a treat and pat, making a big fuss of the dog. When they can remain still for three steps, try six, then a dozen and so on. You should be able to build up to quite long distances in only a short time. Dogs do like to be able to see you, however. If you turn a corner, almost all dogs will immediately move forward to find you again.

Gently

This is usually said with the second syllable elongated. A dog must be taught not to snap at food, though their instincts tell them to grab things before another dog gets it. You must never tease a dog with food-they will learn to snap at it and someone will get hurt. Always present food firmly on a flat palm. If the lunge at it, say the word "Gently!" in a firm, low voice. They will hear the tone and hesitate.

Begging

I'm not sure if this is a trick or not. Small dogs do this almost automatically. If you hold a biscuit slightly out of reach of a terrier, he'll probably site back on his haunches rather than leap for it. Collies are almost all hopeless at begging and fall over when they try. If you do want to try teaching it, the same requirement of treats, patience, and common sense applies. Have the dog sit and hold the treat just out of reach. If you have taught them the command word "Gently...!" it could be used to stop them at snapping at your fingers. Let them have the first treat just by stretching, then move the next a little higher so their front paws have to leave the ground. Repeat over months.

Drop

This is a very important command. Puppies in particular are very playful, and as soon as you touch something they are holding, they will pull back and enjoy the game as you desperately try to save your shoes from destruction. It's best to take them by the collar to prevent them from tugging too hard and say "Drop!" in a loud, fierce voice. Repetition, as with all of these, is crucial.

Over! Over!

Different families will have different command words, of course, This one is probably not that common. Our dogs are always taught to jump at hearing this. You may be out walking and need them to jump a low fence, for example, or jump up onto a table to be brushed. Begin with a higher surface and simply pat it firmly, saying "Over! Over!" to them in an excited voice. If this doesn't work, do not pull them up by the collar. They could be frightened of being off the ground and that won't help. If you can, lift them to the higher level and then make a huge fuss over them, giving them a treat. Repeat pats and lifts until they are comfortable with the higher position. 

This is quite fun to see. Like cats, dogs can really jump, but they aren't taught to do it on command very often. 

Police dogs are taught to evacuate their bowels and bladder on command. It's done by using the command word-make your own one up-at the time when the dog is going to the toilet, and then the usual routine of making a fuss and giving a treat. In all honesty, this is only useful when, say, a dog will spend most of the day inside an airport and must not pee on luggage. For pets, it isn't worth it.

Jumping through your arms

Not all dogs can do this-the terrier absolutely refused point-blank. The command "Over! Over!" is useful as the dog knows it is for jumping. Begin by making a circle on the floor with your arms and having the dog called through for a treat. You need two people for this. After a few successful repetition, raise your hands from the floor, so the dog has to step up a little to pass through. They're probably far too excited by then, so try it again the next day. Raise your hands higher and higher, then stand upright, holding your arms out in the largest circle you can make. Dogs the size of collies can do this, though some will thump you in the body or hit your hands as they go through. They improve with practice and it is a great trick to impress other dog owners.

Finally, attack commands

There is no secret to having an attack work for a dog. Be aware, however, that unless it was absolutely justified, the dog is likely to be destroyed. Children accompanied by dogs are much less likely to be troubled by strangers, regardless of the breed of dog. Dogs are known to be aggressive and territorial, especially with strangers-men in particular. They do not need to be taught higher levels of aggression. 

The opposite of this is what to do if you come into contact with an aggressive dog. First of all, it is a risk to put your hand out to pat any strange dog. If you must take the chance, let the dog smell your hands first, coming in slowly and low down so as not to startle them. If they show their teeth, move away. Mankind is the only animal on the planet who shows his teeth to smile. The rest of them are saying "Go away or I will attack." The same applies for growling. It is never playful. Never growl back. That is what another dog would do and the aggression will increase dramatically. Most dogs have the courtesy to warn you. Take the warning and back away.

If the dog does attack, remain on your feet and protect you face. Don't scream. Break eye contact if you can, as dogs see a direct gaze as aggressive. Dogs are almost never interested in serious damage. They simply want to remove you from the area. Do not run, however. Walk slowly away. Big dogs like German Shepherds will hit you hard in the chest or back to try to knock you down. On the ground is not a good place to be in a full attack. 

If you do end up on the ground, curl up to protect your face and neck. Again, they will do a lot more barking than actual biting in almost every case. Remain as still as you can and don't call for help or scream. The noise may excite them.

A well-trained dog will not be aggressive with other dogs or people, or at least they'll bring the poodle back when you call them. They will guard your home, force you to remain active to walk them, play with you whenever you have the slightest interest, and adore you with complete trust in all weathers, on all days.