I spend a good part of every day either working with dogs who don't know what people want or talking to people who don't know what dogs want. It's surprising how often we get it wrong. So for the record:
- People want to share good times with their dogs.
- People want their dogs to be able to matriculate with friends without causing trouble.
- Dogs want to share good times with people.
- Dogs want their people to come along without ruining the fun.
We've set up dog parks and hiking trails. We invented hands free leashes, strollers (don't get me started), remote control collars, trolley leash cables, ultrasonic bark controllers, food dispensing dog toys, tennis ball launchers, toys that squeak or glow in the dark...there is no end to what people will do to entertain dogs. And dogs figure out how to find lost hikers, birds hiding in brush, retrieve objects from the water, and remain still for long periods of time while lying next to strangers with their owners out of sight. You would think we'd have bridged the gap by now.
But we are busy and our dogs are underexercised. How can you train Lassie in five minutes per day? It's easy.
Monday: While sitting on the couch put a Sticky Note on the floor in front of you. When your dog accidentally steps on it, say "Yes!" and pop a treat in her mouth. Do this 5 more times. Go to work. Play again when you get home.
Tuesday: Ready a magazine with the Sticky Note available. Bet your dog touched it. Give the treat but move the note to someplace not directly within reach. Did she work to reach it? Aha! Start saying "Tag" when she looks like she's about to touch or step on the note. Go to work. Play again when you get home.
Wednesday: Ask your dog to tag the note in slightly hard to reach place and wait just a second longer than usual, as long as your dog is touching the note when you ask, give the treat. If she misses, go back to easier requests. Go to work. Play again when you get home.
Thursday: Put the note on an easy to reach light switch. Ask your dog to reach it. If she does, give the treat. If not, go back to an easier reach. Do this 5 times. Go to work. Play again when you get home.
Friday: Ask your dog to tag your the post it note on the light switch but don't say "yes" or give the treat until the switch turns off. She'll be a litte frustrated at first because she knows hitting the note is the right answer. Her frustration will make her hit the note harder, which will switch the light. When the light goes off, give her a whole handful of treats. Think of more things you can do with Sticky Notes!
Saturday: Try it outside. Try it while a friend's dog walks by.
Sunday: Try it at a friend's house and in the car.
Don't look now but you can now ask your dog to tag a note instead of jumping on guests, instead of chasing a squirrell and instead of biting the vet. With a little practice, you can even ask her to tackle an obstacle course! Hello, agility dog! Lassie has come home.
To see Tag dogs in action, check out the new list of seminars and classes at Yourdogsfriend.info.
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