Does Your Dog Have Selective Listening?

WANT TO PEP UP YOUR DOG'S LISTENING SKILLS?
HERE’S AN-OH-SO-FUN WAY THAT INCREASES HIS LISTENING AND YOUR LAUGHTER.

 STEP ONE

With your dog at your side (not in front) and treats in your pocket (not your hand) tell your dog your favorite fairy tale, tall tale, family story or  how you picked him from the litter. Insert his name frequently, even if it makes no sense. Did he perk up his ears and look? Heap verbal praise upon his attentive self and add a tasty treat. Continue with the story, insert his name and be generous with verbal praise and a treat when your dog looks at you at the sound of his name.

Reward with your right hand if your dog sits, and walks, on your right. Reward with the left hand if your dog sits, and walks, on your left. Do not cross over the center of your body to reward. Ever.

Didn't become attentive at the sound of his name? Do not jerk the collar, tap on his head, push his head toward the treat or wave it under his nose. Just prattle on. Wait to see what he does at the next opportunity to earn a reward.

Is he getting about a 75% rate of listening for his name? Time for Step Two

STEP TWO

Repeat the story time (dog is at your side) and now, when you insert his name and he does not become attentive, apply the Reminder Cue.  Hold the treat that he will not get in your hand, circle it around his nose slowly as you drone, "Too bad! " a few times. Put the treat back in your pocket and let the dog mull over the lost reward.

"Too Bad!" is not a punishment. It tells the dog, 'Oh, sorry you blew it but you get another try." This is not only excellent operant conditioning it is kind to your pet. To be good pet owners we give our dog many tries to learn and we learn patience, too.

Prattle on!