Why should you trick train your dog?
Trick training has endless benefits for both dog and owner. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are on the rise. Studies have proven that spending time with our pets can have a positive impact on our mental health. I have had some very dark times and my dog Fred has really saved me. I always feel better after a fun training session with Fred.
Our dogs need mental stimulation just like we do, and trick training provides just the right kind. It works their brains, it is physical activity, it is all positive reinforcement training, and they are doing their favourite thing which is spending time with their favourite person. You!
My journey with my rescue dog Fred is what inspired me to set up ‘Strictly fun dog dancing,’ an online program teaching the basics of trick training and dog dancing. Here are my top tips for starting your own fun journey with your best friend!
Find out what motivates your dog.
Treats are the best choice. Experiment with types and textures. What does your dog regard high value and what does your dog regard as low value? The treats need to be easy to break up, easy to drop down, and easy and quick for your dog to eat. Cut up sausage is a good option. Lucky for me, Fred will work for his kibble, which is good and easy to use.
Introduce a marker word.
A marker word is what you say after your dog has done what you have asked. It is followed up with a reward, such as a treat. So, your dog comes to understand that their marker word means ‘Yes, that’s correct’ and they get a reward. I use ‘Nice’ every time my dog has done what I have asked.
Keep sessions short.
Keep sessions short and sweet and always end on a good note. You want to keep sessions positive. Work on no more than three tricks each session to prevent any over excitement, which can lead to frustration. If you are struggling with a new trick, then end on one your dog knows well so you have ended the session positively. You want your dog to enjoy this activity as much as you do, and they won’t enjoy it if they’re frustrated!
Up the creativity!
What films, music, or TV theme tunes do you love? When you have thought about what tune you would like to dance to, think about costumes and props. Costumes for you, don’t dress up your dog! Then you need to desensitize your dog to the costume. Have the costume lying around for them to see, and wear the costume around the house while doing the housework and watching TV. Give your dog calm praise for being calm. Don’t put your costume on straight away and then start your training session, or you may scare your dog! Fred and I love The Beatles for our dance routines. We also have a Back to the Future routine with Fred on a skateboard and a Harry Potter routine using brooms and a wand!
Be creative but keep it safe.
Make sure you always work on a non-slip surface. When using props for your dog to climb on make sure they are sturdy and safe.
On your mark!
Lots of the tricks involved in putting together a routine have many other benefits. Not only are they great for dog dancing, they are also good life skills for your dog. One example of thiis is called platform training.
What is platform training?
Platform training is all about teaching your dog to stand and walk on different objects. This is a great exercise for dog dancing and trick training, and it also has a bunch of other great benefits. It helps their balance, it’s good for growing puppies to learn to walk on different surfaces, and it’s especially a good thing to teach them as their walking is limited while they’re still growing. It’s also good for their confidence! Sometimes dogs can get nervous about walking on different flooring and certain surfaces. If you introduce platform training at an early age, this can prevent this issue.
Be inventive but keep it safe.
You can start off with a bathmat, a pillow, or a large cushion. Place it near them and reward any interaction with the object. This could be touching the object with their nose or putting their paws on it.
Treat, treat, treat, praise, praise, praise.
Eventually you want to progress this into them climbing onto the object. Then have a praise and treats party. Lure them off the object with treats. Hopefully they will want to get back on. Repeat. Soon your dog should be automatically getting on the object.
You can now upgrade to a different object such as a bucket, a little footstool, or a plant pot. Repeat the exercise to encourage them to put their paws on the object.Say your marker word and treat as soon as they put their paws on the object. Then repeat the same process as before of luring them off by throwing treats away and encouraging them to put their paws back on the object.
When you can see your dog getting confident, you can add in a cue word just as your dog is about to put their paws on the object. I use the command ‘on your mark’. Fun Fact: I went to the Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios and caught some of the animal actors there. One of the animal trainers was doing training with a Neapolitan mastiff puppy (that’s what Fang is!), and that’s the command she was using!
Just keep practising and eventually your dog will learn to automatically put their paws on the object when they hear the command.
Keep dancing and keep having fun with your dog!
If you’d like some support with teaching your dog to dance, please reach out to me or visit Delightful Dogs Dog Training. We would love to have you and your dog join us for our online trick training program!
Our online program consists of four parts teaching the basics of dog dancing. You will also get lifetime membership to our private Facebook group where there will be informative posts and some very interesting guest speakers talking about all things dog! It’s also a chance to share your progress with other people who are also interested in trick training and keen to cheer you on!
Whether you start your trick training journey with us or strike out on your own, remember to be safe, stay positive, and have fun!
—————————————
This is a guest post by Nicola Cole of Delightful Dogs Dog Training.
Nicola Cole has loved animals all her life and has worked as a dog groomer for over 10 years. After adopting her first rescue dog, he became her inspiration for going back into studying and retraining as a dog trainer. She now runs an online program called ‘Strictly fun dog dancing,’ teaching the benefits of trick training and dog dancing, and also does 1-1 online dog training. She is ruled by her rescue dog Fred and English toy terrier Nala, who are her absolute world.
Website: https://www.delightfuldogsdogtraining.co.uk/
0 Comments