Tricks to teach your dog: 7 meaningful tips
Tricks to teach your dog: Not every dog enjoys romping around in rain or snow and taking long walks in bad weather. He still wants to do something. Use the bad weather for home training, which is fun and from which both benefit sustainably.
Bad weather is no reason for boredom because dogs particularly hate them. Dogs need a meaningful occupation that challenges the body and mind in equal measure. If the weather is so bad that long, exciting walks become uncomfortable for both dog and owner, these 7 tips for exciting entertainment in the house or apartment can help against boredom.
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1. Show me – help with lost items
Walk up and down the apartment and within sight of the dog, drop a glove, your wallet, or any other object that you hold in your hands a lot. Your dog will immediately check what is lying there with its nose. You confirm this with praise and a “sit down” signal. Usually, a few repetitions are sufficient, and you can introduce the signal “Show me” between losing your object and sitting down and touching your muzzle. In this way, your dog learns in no time to display found objects without grabbing and biting them.
2. Pick it up – help with carrying
You can train the signal “Raise it” as a continuation of the “Show me” exercise in point one or separately. A wooden spoon or walking stick is cheap for this (if you have a target, use it), with which your first point to a dog’s toy. He will definitely take it, listen to your “lift it,” and be confirmed with praise and reward. If the “pick up” is sitting, have him pick up a handkerchief, some piece of clothing, or another mouth-friendly item. It becomes difficult because the car or house key, a knife, or another object made of metal or glass will cost you to overcome.
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3. Do it after me – the twin game
Instead of saying “paw,” just extend your arm towards the dog. Because he knows the exercise, he will put his paw in your hand and get praise. Does he get what you want when you hold out the other hand? Then he’s super smart. Then lie down and wait to see if he does the same. Thumbs up. You do not need to speak; almost all dogs gradually understand that they should imitate what you are doing. However, until a dog opens a drawer with its snout or turns in circles just like you, you need a lot of patience and time.
4. Bell and silence – exercise for little talkers
A great exercise that will stop you from barking too much later. To do this, first, animate the dog to bark. Stand in front of him with a treat in hand. Could you take a look at it? At some point, the dog will start barking to get it. Let him scold you two or three times, then put a finger in front of your mouth, whisper “Pssst,” and, as soon as he falls silent, buy the delicacy. Repeat this a few times and give the reward simultaneously as you stop the barking on their “Psst.” Then put it to the test and try to stop him barking for no reason. Reward heavily if it works. This is how dog training is fun!
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5. Bravo, great, keep it up – for clicker fans
Anyone who already clicks can teach the dog a chain of signals without interrupting the reward. If you haven’t clicked yet, you can start now. For beginners: One second after each click, there is a reward until the dog waits for it at the click. Only then do simple exercises such as “sit” – click – reward follow. Once a dog knows the clicker and estimates, practice sits, down, sitting straight, clicker each execution, but buy only at the end a treat.
6. Relax – relax on command
The exercise works similarly to yoga for us. Have the dog lie down and sit next to it. Caress him gently on his back and mumble gently. You can feel when the dog’s muscles give way, see when he blinks and continues to stroke. Until the dog lies completely relaxed and calm. You only introduce the signal “Relax” when it already slackens your muscles when you come into contact with your hand. Caution: Stop the exercise when you feel the heartbeat increase again, and the dog becomes restless.
7. Romping does not work – the basic rule
It’s not a practice; it’s a rule. Within their own four walls, the dog should not storm off or do super lively exercises. Romping outside is allowed, but not indoors. Home is the cave, in which quiet togetherness and quiet games strengthen the feeling of togetherness, just like in the real dog family.