What is the easy way to Train a dog with a second language. My 9 1/2 month old understands English how would I add German to his vocabulary and make it easy for him?
Mike J Schoonbrood Webboard User Reg: 04-30-2005
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Why do you want to do this?
I've changed commands on my dog before, he picked up on it very easily, but you basically have to retrain the command the same way you trained it the first time.
Elaine Haynes Webboard User Reg: 08-16-2005
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Work on one command at a time, starting with little or no distractions. Give the command in both languages, English then German (one right after the other). I teach my dogs in English and Greek. I got my last collie when he was 4 years old and that's what I did. For example on the recall, I'd call him with "come ela (come in Greek).
Once the dog is reliable giving the command in the English-German order, switch around and use German-English (i.e. for my collie 2nd step was ela-come). Then gradually fade out the English (increase the pause between the two language commands as the dog starts to obey the German).
You might get some humorous unintended results from a bilingual dog. The Keeshond I had preferred Greek and would sometimes pretend she didn't know her commands in English.
Brian, I think it's great to have a bilingual dog. Disclaimer: I am NOT a dog trainer. But my experience was a good one so I thought I'd share. I have an 11 mo. GSD. He knows the hand signal and the English and German command for everything I've taught him. I did it in a very similar fashion to the way the previous poster said. And I do it with everything, not just the standard sit, stay stuff. Even more (at least to me) complicated commands like "go get _____" or "go up the stairs", etc. He learned so fast it was as if I wasn't teaching two languages to him. Now, of course, I am able to use only 1 of the 3 ways to command him and he knows. But I always mix it up so he doesn't forget. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
And to Mike, sometimes for no other reason than it's fun and you can!
In my household all the dogs understand Dutch/French and Spanish. The Belgian Ringdogscommands are mostly in Dutch but they understand the basic commands in the 2 other languages as well. But they seem to become deaf in French and Spanish when they are playing...
Robert VanCamp Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2001
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So here's the real question. . .
Do your dogs really understand the different languages? Or is it possible that they understand their training and your own body language. . .and would respond to just about any word you use?
I'm with VC on this. I've screwed up with an incorrect command more than once. The dog still responded correctly, based on the situation and circumstance.
Try asking your dog to sit in a different language, but in exactly the same manner you say "Sit". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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