Trained Dogs Rule

I’ve always been a believer that the things that you do with your dog on a day to day basis is all some part of training whether you realize it or not.

Our male doberman has a very bad habit that when we let him out into the backyard he always tries to take something. He usually has a bone, kong or sometimes even my husbands shoe in his mouth. Before I let him out I tell him to drop it and he does and out he goes. This has been going on since he was a pup and he is now seven years old.

Today was a nice day and my husband was out cutting the lawn so the dogs were in the backyard playing around. We have a very large section fenced for them. After the fence we have a duckhouse for our 19 ducks and a pond for them. The ducks wander freely about the property during the day but at night they are locked up for safety.

Right now we have 8 new ducklings who are still learning about the dangers around them. They normally just spend the day around the pond and don’t wander too far until today.

I was working in the house and I heard very loud quacking. It didn’t sound quite right so I went to investigate to see what was going on. One of the ducklings had gone under the fence and was in the backyard with our two dogs. Our female doberman basically ignore her but our male was nudging her around and then he grab her. He had her right in his mouth. There was no way I had time to get down to them to rescue the duckling. I hollered at him to drop it and yes you guessed it he did just that. With that the duckling quickly scurried back under the fence to safety.

I went out to check on the welfare of the duckling and there was not a mark on her. I was very proud of my male doberman. I never would have expected by inadvertendly teaching him to drop things would someday save the life of one of my ducks.

So if you see your dog doing something that you like put a word with it. Ever time he does it use the same word. Before you know it you will have taught your dog something new.

I have heard of people training their dogs to bow using this method. When the dog stretches and has their bum sticking in the air the owner says bow and praises the dog. In a surprisingly short time your dog will bow on command.

So remember training your dog to do the basics takes a much more structure approach. This method is good for more spontaneous things and can be a lot of fun. It will definitely help you build your bond with your doggie.

Until next time

Maureen Brownell