Dogs can understand hundreds of words. Some of my clients teach their canine family members to understand two languages… and yes, that is possible. One thing to be aware of is teaching your canine to respond only to a language not commonly used by your veterinary office, boarding or daycare facility, or groomer. Remember that no matter how much you love your dog and have the best intentions for your dog, unforeseen circumstances may result in your dog being in someone else’s care, even if it’s temporary. Avoid making your dog’s fear and stress of being in unfamiliar surroundings more severe by not understanding the language spoken by a caretaker.
It’s very important to use words you can attach a meaning to when training. I’m sure most, if not all of us, talk to our dogs as though they are human, and it can be quite comforting to both parties, but when it comes to training your dog, simple words that you can attach a meaning to or tangible action to, will produce the best results. A simple example of this is teaching your dog to sit. “SIT” is a simple, perfect word. It requires no further explanation, additional verb, or noun. “Have a sit,” “Please sit,” “Harley sit,” or “Harley sit down” is incorrect, inconsistent, and conflicting and only adds to confusion and disregard for the command “Sit.” However, let me add that even though “Sit” is a command word, it should be asked nicely and not yelled. Ask your dog nicely to “SIT–STAY.”
I’m not privy to how abstract words became part of training, but I have never found them to improve a dog’s learning ability. Lately, I hear pet parents use the word “FOCUS” and see no sign of understanding or response from their dog. Additionally, nothing is offered to the dog to focus on. The word is spoken without direction or connection to what the dog is asked to focus on.
Focus is an abstract word that does not seem to make an association with what the dog is doing. It is no more effective than asking your dog to “THINK” or “CONCENTRATE.”
Walking at HEEL is the proper terminology for dog training and has always been. It means the dog should walk at the trainer, handler, or pet parent’s left side, not behind, not in front, walking at your pace, and turning with you. Once that is established, a more relaxed walk, such as on a trial or hike, can be especially rewarding for both pet parent and pup.
Here’s another one that snuck into dog training vocabulary…” STAY WITH ME” or “WITH ME.” Stay is a command older than time itself, used as a teaching tool, meaning to stay at sit, stay at down, stay at place, and stay inside a room and not cross the threshold. Stay means stay. Telling a dog to STAY WITH YOU as you walk is improper dog training and too abstract for a dog. You are telling your dog to STAY while moving! “WITH ME” is slightly better, but the proper word is “HEEL.” Dogs have been taught to “HEEL” or “Called to HEEL” but never “Called to with me.”
Would you change the correct terminology if you were learning to play Golf? Would you say “LETS BOGEY” or “HAVE A SLICE”?
