Ground a Behavior…fast

One of the best ways to get something across to your dog fast – is to show them, then have them practice immediately after. For example, I’ve been working with a dog with some impulse-control issues, he chases cars, cats etc.

The other night a car was driving down the road. I remind everyone to Leave it.  Everyone resists the temptation except for this dog, he gives chase. I holler out a deep Leave it! followed by his name. He still made it to the road but he had pulled up enough on his speed that the car had already passed.

About two minutes after he got back to us another car came down the road. Perfect, I thought. I repeated my reminder to everyone (when working with a pack of dogs – one instigator can quickly move the pack – so best to remind). This time, he held his ground and even looked toward me! I signaled for him to come and a second later he was getting some much-deserved praise and a wrestling session (his heaven).

We’re no different. If we’re taught something on Monday but then don’t get the chance to use it until the following week, chances are we’re going to struggle to remember what we were shown. But if we’re shown on Monday, and then spend Monday afternoon repeating what we were just shown…presto, we have it.

Another real-life example was when we were playing in the living room and one of my cats decides to join the fun. No problem usually but currently there’s a dog over with a strong prey drive. Suddenly his focus changes and he’s intent on the cat. I state a solid Leave it! (no-nonsense, not a question, and a deeper voice than typical) and step between the two, who are now only a foot apart.

The dog heads over to a bed and sits down, watching. A moment later the cat follows him (*&^$%^* cats!). I shift my position, clear my throat and watch the dog intently. After watching the cat for a second, he turns his attention to me and ignores the cat – who seems to have gotten bored and heads toward his food bowl. I head over to the dog and have a hip-hip-hooray party in his honor.

Having an opportunity to practice something right on the heels or having it ‘explained to you’ is a terrific way to ground the material – perhaps even form some muscle memory. When training your dog, it’s important to set up back-to-back situations, since practice is what separates those that can master a task and those that are still struggling with it.

NOTE: both these cases were real life situations and no treats were used. I often use treats to form trust and teach behaviors, after all it’s how they know what Leave it! means in the first place. But after learning, real life isn’t about treats, it’s about a relationship, respect and communication. Instead, I always acknowledge and if they’re struggling, I go overboard with my praise when a dog shows me they understand, and they truly seem to love it and work for more.

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