Ok, thanks, Bob. I now understand. In this case the dogs actually don't recieve different commands for the same behavior, but another command for a variation of a behavior.

It's somewhat like when I ask for a "sit" during a session. They have to sit fully on their butt, not crooked, because if depois I ask for ex. for a "sit pretty" it wouldn't be possible out of a sloppy sit.

When I ask for a "sit" before crossing a street I don't care how they sit. For this I use different commands.

I also use "front" for an exact straight sit in front of me and "near" like you use your "here".


I'm though not sure if Duane really meant this. I think she meant that some trainers in certain dog sports use different commands for exactly the same behavior.For a competitive "down" for example they use also "coucher" or "Platz". Or "Heel" = "Au pied" = "Fuss". Or "Sit" = "Assis" = "Sitz".

Perhaps the handler participates in different dog sports in different countries, so the dog will have to learn to understand them all.

What I am saying is not how I want the dog to sit. I'm saying that I can teach the dog to sit, then give that sit as many names as I want.

In competition, I use "come" or "Hier" for the exact same behavior (a recall to front position, finishing with a sit and eye contact, awaiting the "heel" or "fuss" command). Many sport dogs know commands in at least two languages. My TD imports breeding stock from Belgium. He reteaches them commands in German and English. Therefore, the dog performs the exact same behavior the exact same way using at least three different commands (words). Dogs are not limited by language like humans are.

Christina, what you are missing is that, when you start a dog with markers, you don't name a behavior until you have it exactly as you want it. You don't train a sloppy sit, name it "sit", and then teach the dog a better sit and give it a new name. I lure and mark until I get the sit I want, then I associate a word with it. I can train and proof the dog with the word "sit", then I can start over and repeat the process using "fanny", and my dog will sit just like I taught her. After she is proofed on "fanny", I can randomly mix the two words during a training session, and always expect the exact same performance.

Bob is right in that I do use different commands for slightly different behaviors, or any time expectations are different.

Yes, Duane, thanks a lot for your explanation. I think I've understood it right, the one that Bob means and the one you are speaking about.

By the way, I do always train a new exercise without command until the point the dog knows the behavior perfectly. This is to say I do it since about 3 years. In the beginning with my "trainer" they were taught only sloppy sits and downs and I needed a lot of time afterwards to corret this. This was the phase, when I even wasn't able to judge such things. I thought, he is the trainer, he must know it better.

The unclear thing now, was that with the different names for the exact same behavior. Actually I should have known, shame on me!, because I use the clicker as well as my release marker "Ok". The dogs understand both very well. For them this is somehow like using two different words.

"The unclear thing now, was that with the different names for the exact same behavior. Actually I should have known, shame on me!, because I use the clicker as well as my release marker "Ok". The dogs understand both very well. For them this is somehow like using two different words."



I use a clicker OR a "yes" as a reward marker.

Both are understood as a reward marker.

I can't really say I use two different commands for the same behavior in competition and home use simply because my expectations are different.

I also believe the dog looks at the difference as two different behaviors because both the dog and myself have different expectations.

Since you have no goals of competition then as long as the dog complies I think what you do will work well for you.

Yes, I think so too. The dogs can distinguish well what I say or do. So, not worth a bid discussion about this.

In the way you describe it, there is no problem for me. Actually the only "problem" is my curiosity. Once I heard of Duane's experiences it was just very interesting to know about them. That's the stupid me, once something starts, there come more and more questions in my mind and I can not stop any more.

Sorry to steel your time and thanks for your great patience with answering.

Never NOT be curious. It's how we all learn.