My older GSD Thunder will bark with a simple hand signal. I pinch my index finger and thumb together rapidly and he starts barking.
As Connie will agree with since she has hearing impaired Pugs, dogs can be taught much easier to respond to our body language then they can with verbal words.
For wild canids, reading body language is a survival necessity.
Michael Soldwisch Webboard User Reg: 02-21-2012
Posts: 146
Loc: Michigan
Offline
I love hand signals! They are always useful, and because not too many people in our neighborhood use them, it looks more impressive. Also interesting how small a gesture can be, for the dog to recognize. For an untrained eye, it may look like the dog did the behavior on its own, but in reality you just moved your finger a little.
Coming back to the 'threat display', my dog can be extremely vocal, and as I trained him to growl on command, even my personal dog trainer almost peed his pants, until he saw, that we can turn this off an on in almost any situation. Youtube Link
The problem I have with teaching a dog to growl with no "bad guy" to direct it at is the dog is growling at the handler. In this instance it continues after the handler starts to pet the dog and even looks like tries a grab for the hand when the petting is over.
Teaching a growl or any threat display should be done with another person to direct it at otherwise your creating distrust in the dog.
Tammy Moore Webboard User Reg: 01-14-2010
Posts: 1564
Loc: USA
Offline
There is a house not far from me, a GSD frozen still on the front lawn, body language that says bring it on, no bark, no growl, the silent type. If I had to pick a fence to scale, it ain't gonna be that one.
I am teaching my Poodle a silent threat display, we're almost there.
Coming back to the 'threat display', my dog can be extremely vocal, and as I trained him to growl on command, even my personal dog trainer almost peed his pants, until he saw, that we can turn this off an on in almost any situation. Youtube Link
Michael, I'm curious. You have trained Dexter (beautiful dog, by the way) to bark and growl at you in response to a sniffing sound. Are you not concerned about how will he react if he is in close proximity to another person who happens to make a similar sniffing sound, due to a cold, perhaps?
Also, you also say you can turn this off in almost any situation......
steve strom Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2006
Posts: 4203
Loc:
Offline
If I was going to teach something like this Kristin, and there could very well be better ways, the first thing I would think about is, what's a good example of what I want? Un conflicted, happy barking in anticipation of a toy. Ideally like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdgqcB2ViUI
I think I'd begin with teaching some kind of directional command to teach him to focus away from me along the lines of a send out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moZVIEiDu2o
And I'd have someone My dog knows be a toy dispenser kinda like this, except they'd throw the toy far to the side without the dog coming in on them:
http://vimeo.com/17123406
I don't want him barking at me and I'm not going to puff around like an asthmatic just irritating him. Add a cue and reward for what you want.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Re: Teaching a companion dog a 'threat display'.
Top
).
what a face!
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
