All dogs should be trained. This does not mean you need the most obedient dog, just a well-mannered one. Prevention is key when raising a puppy but management and consistency is helpful for those older dogs. The Four Cues All Dogs Should Know are Focus, Sit, Touch, and Recall.
Focus Cue
We teach our dogs to focus through something called the name game. We do this by tossing a treat away from your dog, let them eat the treat, when they are finished say their name. As soon as they look at you, mark with a yes and reward. Repeat 5-10 times. Practice without throwing a treat when your dog is not engaging with you and mark eye contact. Remember we do not need them to come to us as this is not recall it is simply teaching them to look at you when you say their name. This is the building block to other commands. If your dog does not respond to their name, what are the odds they will listen to you at all?
Sit Cue
A foundation behavior for other cues to build upon. This cue helps to increase calm behavior. There are two ways the sit cue can be taught.
(1) Begin with your dog standing in front of you with some treats in your hand, some dogs will automatically put their butt to the ground, if they do mark with yes and reward. Step back and release your dog and again stand in front of them and see if they offer the sit behavior again when they do mark with Yes and reward.
(2) The second way is with a Lure, which is how most dogs learn. Get down on your dog’s level with a treat in your hand, put the treat right in front of their nose, then slowly lift the food above their head. They will most likely then put their butt to the ground when they do mark with yes and reward. Repeat a few times and eventually add in the sit cue word. NEVER physically put your dog into a sit position as this can cause confusion and fear in some dogs.
The Four Cues All Dogs Should Know are Focus, Sit, Touch, and Recall.
Touch Cue
This cue is used when you need your dog to pay attention to you or to chain cues together. This cue builds trust and is the first step towards analytical thinking, as they must move their nose towards the target to make the reward happen. The target hand can be a full palm or two fingers.
Present your target at nose level or lower to your dog- without forcing your hand into your dog’s space. Almost every dog will approach the target to inspect what it is, as this is the hand that pays. When your dog makes contact with the target, pull your hand back and retract it towards your side or stomach, Use your Marker Word (YES) and reward with a treat the moment their nose touches the target. After your dog has finished the treat, return your hand to the desired targeting position and repeat the process again. There should be a clear start and end to each repetition. When the dog is watching for the target, and you can present it high or low, left or right and you can easily achieve 15 target touches in one minute, you are ready to add the verbal cue.
Recall is The Top Cue All Dogs Should Know
This is also referred to as Come. This cue is one that many owners struggle with and expect their dog to just know without training it. A reliable recall will take on average 9-12 months to perfect. It is never 100% reliable but it gets close to the most practice you do with your dog.
Start by calling your dog to you throughout your day. Carry some of their kibbles or treats in your pocket and call them to you when they are investigating the backyard, lounging in the other room, plating, etc. Make it a game and they will learn that coming to you is an enjoyable thing. This will make your dog more confident that coming to you does not signal the end of fun. When you call your dog, say “Dogs Name, Come!” do not call their name over and over again this will wear their name out. Make sure you can back up your command. If you do not make them come to you when you command it they will learn to do that themselves.
DO NOT CHASE YOUR DOG
The Four Cues All Dogs Should Know are Focus, Sit, Touch, and Recall.
Want help training your dog to Sit, Touch, Focus, or Come when called? Contact me today to set up a session.