| Many people are under the mistaken assumption that | | | | command).When I put the food bowl down and |
| commands need to be one syllable."Sit.""Down.""Up" | | | | make the dog wait for the release command, the |
| (in the car)."Kennel up."This is not an accurate | | | | normal "Free" or "Take a break," becomes "Chow |
| understanding (or observation) of how dogs learn.In | | | | time!" (The release command in this context is |
| my experience, dogs recognize sound patterns, | | | | situational).Anyway--the point is: Have fun with your |
| rhythms and tonality. Have you ever noticed how | | | | training. Your dog |
| your dog's ears perk up when | | | | doesn't inherently understand one word from |
| you ask, "Do you want a cookie?" just as much as | | | | another--he only gets |
| they do if you | | | | the associations you create with each word. This is |
| just say, "Cookie"?Now, when you're out in the field, | | | | why you can |
| sometimes it's best to have | | | | train your dog in a variety of different languages, |
| commands that are only one syllable. However, for | | | | and your |
| non-essential | | | | friends will think your dog is multi-lingual.I once had a |
| commands, I like to incorporate a bit of humor into | | | | dog that spoke three languages. (Or understood |
| my training.For example, "Shake," becomes, "Slap me | | | | three languages at least!)And I'm not above lowering |
| some skin, brotha," or | | | | myself and my dog training for cheap |
| "What's shakin', Mama?"And, "Hup" (short for "Get in | | | | laughs amongst my friends.Meanwhile, they all think |
| the truck,") become, "Get your tookis in the | | | | that the dog must be a genius. And trust me--your |
| truck.""Kennel up," humorously becomes, "Get in the | | | | dog will have a big smile on her face as she soaks up |
| mansion.""Bark" transforms into, "Who's your | | | | all the attention, too.That's all for now, folks! |
| daddy?"The command I use for "attack," becomes, | | | | Adam |
| "Easy." Short for "Take | | | | Dogproblems.comAdam G. Katz is the author of the |
| it easy." (This tends to fool the bag guy into thinking | | | | book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An |
| you've got an uncontrollably vicious animal. And | | | | Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog |
| tactically, it's not always beneficial to let a potential | | | | Training Secrets In History. |
| assailant know you're giving your dog the attack | | | | |