Here is a good article by Dr. Sophia Yin that explains how to train this behavior step-by-step and emphasizes its value. I used "relax" instead of "bang" or "play dead" because I don't even want to pantomime shooting my dog! I didn't notice until I took video how much her tail wags when she is doing tricks - I love that it's something we can both enjoy!
January 17, 2014
Trick Training: Relax
"Relax" was one of the first tricks I taught Ruby. Sometimes she is so easy to work with that it's hard to describe exactly how I capture things. When I taught "roll over" and she got confused or just tired, she would stretch out flat on her side, so I just clicked/treated to reinforce that behavior and put it on cue. I use the clicker when training a new behavior, but phase it out pretty quickly. I will take a deep breath before I say "relax" and tilt my head to the left - she doesn't always need the verbal cue, but in this video you can see that she needed a little prompting. Since Ruby can be extremely high-energy and hyper-vigilant, and my main objectives in her training are calmness, confidence and self-control, I thought that learning to at least look relaxed could be beneficial.
Here is a good article by Dr. Sophia Yin that explains how to train this behavior step-by-step and emphasizes its value. I used "relax" instead of "bang" or "play dead" because I don't even want to pantomime shooting my dog! I didn't notice until I took video how much her tail wags when she is doing tricks - I love that it's something we can both enjoy!
Here is a good article by Dr. Sophia Yin that explains how to train this behavior step-by-step and emphasizes its value. I used "relax" instead of "bang" or "play dead" because I don't even want to pantomime shooting my dog! I didn't notice until I took video how much her tail wags when she is doing tricks - I love that it's something we can both enjoy!
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I love this! She's such a good girl.
ReplyDeleteShe is so much fun. I need to spend some time looking at the 101 Dog Tricks book this weekend and pick some new ones to work toward.
DeleteHi Lara! Saw your post in the Blogpaws group and here I am! Love that you use "relax". I thought I was the only one who had a problem with bang-bang… that's the biggest reason I haven't trained this trick yet! I'll need to get started on it now with Rocco! And, I love Ruby's "relax"… so cute! We love the 101 dog tricks book too!
ReplyDeleteDiane and Rocco
Hi Diane - thanks so much for visiting! I'm going to check out your blog, now, too. I love the name Rocco, in fact when I crazily consider a second dog, Rocco is at the top of my name choices for a boy dog! I think Ruby and Rocco would sound so cute together.
DeleteIt is pretty impressive when dogs throw themselves to the ground on the "Bang" trick, but I thought it was something I'd like to have a more practical purpose for as well. I want to start working on increasing the duration that she stays down.
I once saw a dog that did something similar to BANG on the command "Jellylegs!". It was HILARIOUS.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a great cue! Sometimes thinking up what cue I want to use is the hardest part!
DeleteRuby is so smart and beautiful! I love training with Wynston. I just feel like it creates such an amazing bond :) I have never seen this particular "trick" so it's very refreshing and new! Great job! Well done, both of you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda! I have never had a dog with such an aptitude for tricks. Since being out in the world can be stressful for both of us, trick-training is a great way to have fun indoors! I'm working on increasing the time that she holds this trick, waiting for me to release her.
DeleteShe's so good at this!!!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of the "dead dog" trick either. But I do admit to sometimes pretend shoot Blueberry with a tranquilizer gun. Just when she is a little rambunctious I will point my finger at her and say, "Hey, this tranq gun isn't working, I think you need another dart". ;)