I have taught my pup to turn on the kitchen light, it is really cool! Has anyone else done this? Did you know if you wait till the server turns, you can fill the entire "topic of the day" with your name? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

LONNY,
That's a neat command. Have you thought of getting them to turn off the light. That way if you forget too your dog could. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I'm still trying to get my wife to do it. :rolleyes:
Yes, it amazing the knowledge you can put into their brains. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Funny you mention that! I have not taught that... I didn't even think too untill you mentiond that.. I will start that tommorow/well today hahah. It is amazing what they can learn... it only took him like 3 days to learn it....

It's good to see i'm not the only guy teaching my dog to do crap I forget to do all the time, if he only could do dishes I would be happning!

well just how did you teach the light switch
turning on ?

Well.. I just held my hand with a treat in it over the light switch, until he tripped it, "I took his paw the first few times and put it on the switch to help him figure out what I really wanted, same as the shake command" then reward and praise "Good lights" in about three days of this 10 times a day, he was doing it perfectly, of course it helps to have the push top or bottom switch type instead of the flip up or down type....

I have no idea if this is how it is done for assistance dogs or not.. but it worked really well for me.

That's cool.
Has anyone ever got their dog to be able to open the refrigerator and get them a beer?
I read this in a book, I think it would be fun to be able to teach that.

Lonny,
I get him to do only the light by the back door.
Used same approch as you did.

It's what I do to keep him thinking. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
This should start some response <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Most I talk to say that K-9's cannot think, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
That's all he's good for is tricks/can't work. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

There is no doubt that dogs have problem solving abilities. I like to think that they think, makes owning them more fun. Do they really? Sometimes I'm not so sure. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Mine figured out how to run the ice dispenser on the fridge. I noticed that he was watching me very intently one day when I was getting ice in a glass. When I came back into the kitchen, he was getting his own cubes.

Turning a light on is supposed to be a very complex behaviour to teach a service dog. The Animal Planet had a show, "K 9-5" that featured service dog training. They start by teaching the dog to put it's paw on a spot. Paw on spot, get rewarded with a treat or praise. Then they start moving the spot up the wall. Eventually, the spot becomes the switch.

It's a bit like Ed's description of how his brother taught rats how to play basketball for his master's degree thesis. Find a behaviour, reward it, add a new element, reward for doing the new element. Eventually, you can create a very complex chain of actions.

If you remember, in the movie, "K-9", Jerry Lee grabbed the bad guy by the zipper. They taught that stunt using a similar process. He was just following training to grab a ball. The ball was eventually hidden in the actor's pants. Sad story about Jerry Lee ...

-- source: K9 officer's Manual- RS Eden

"On November 18, 1991, Kansas City Police K9 Star gave his life while searching a darkened house for a suspect wanted in the attempted murder of a police officer. K9 Star responded with other tactical officers when police had received a tip of the possible whereabouts of the suspect. A verbal warning that a dog was to be released to search the building was given by Stars' handler, Officer Patterson and one subject came out, however it was not the suspect wanted by the police. Officer Patterson repeated the warning and receiving no response, released Star to search the building. The dog indicated on a bedroom and entered the room. The dog located the suspect and barked at which time two shots were fired.

Officer Patterson recalled the dog, and Star managed to limp his way toward him, collapsing as he reached his handler. Officer Patterson picked up his partner and rushed him to the nearest veterinarian hospital, however Star was pronounced dead on arrival. Other officers at the scene pumped tear gas into the building, however it had no apparent effect on the suspect. He fired on the officers and was subsequently killed by return fire.

Stars' real name was Koton. He starred in the movie "K9" with James Belushi. He was teamed with Officer Patterson for two years, and responsible for over twenty four felony arrests at the time of his death. Only ten days before he was killed, he was responsible for locating ten kilos of cocaine that was worth 1.2 million dollars. He was the fourth police dog to die in the line of duty in Kansas City."


The movie ending was better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />