Dogs don’t know “words”. They know patterns. They know sounds can predict pictures. So….. If you want the dog to be 100% certain that the “word” you use means “this” picture is guaranteed to happen…. You MUST make sure that you don’t use the words and NOT make the picture. That means you aren’t using those “words” to “talk” to dogs. You are using your “sounds” to cue pictures. If you can be diligent with it’s use…… You can use English (or your native language) for your training “cues”. But…. If you have trouble with using the words and NOT making the picture…. Then, you should use a FOREIGN language. That way you won’t use them to “talk” AT your dog. Hell…. You can even use actual sounds not “words”. People will use clickers, whistles, Tones on collars, weird tssst, sounds…. Etc…. This will let you “TALK” to your dog in a typical fashion with your actual language…. and STILL have the ability to use your actual “command” language when you need that kind of control. But for this to work you MUST make sure the word is ALWAYS followed by the picture.
In order to ACTUALLY DO this….. You have to decide what your language will be, and be diligent. That “X” cue will ALWAYS be followed by “X” picture. It’s up to you to decide what’s a bigger pain in the ass….. Being diligent about NOT using your native language words without training intention, or learning a whole new set of sounds/words that you currently don’t use so you do not have to worry about that.
Here are the words I use in English. But….. You could replace with any word. Any language. Hell….. any sound (or signal) you want. Remember, it’s YOUR dog, and YOUR life.
Window Of Opportunity Words: This tells the dog that the window of opportunity for reward is open or closed.
- Ready: This tells the dog when the chance to earn a game is on the table.
- Enough: This tells the dog that there is no game on the table.
Marks/Cues: Your “start and stop” words.
- Good: Means your “warm”, or getting “warmer”, keep trying.
- Ah Ah: Means you’re “cold”, or getting “colder”, But…. keep trying!
- OK: Release to liberty. You’re free! Access whatever reward you want. Remember: Reward CAN be just Liberty!
- *Yes: Release to reward event WITH me.
- *Get It: Release to a reward event AWAY FROM me.
- NO: To correct dangerous, or permanently unapproved, behavior. This is the only word that will always have an emotion attached to it. That emotion should be palpable disappointment. Not anger. But…. social disapproval. That matters. Take this word seriously. Don’t use frivolously. This word always precedes punishment. (This can be social in nature or… Removing things as punishment)
*I didn’t used to use differentiation in release words. I used to just use OK as a general release word. But, I’ve been experimenting with reward discrimination. One single release works for a lot of high level trainers. Some use a few different marks…. And I just took a seminar where the presenter had like 20 different ones. One for food on the floor, food from my hand. Food comes to you. Food runs from you….. etc….. And ALL those same variations for toys too! Doesn’t matter. My opinion is: Use as many as you need But…. As few as is functional for you. Remember…… As always…. It’s YOUR dog, and YOUR life. Make YOUR language.
Cues: These are your command words. These will be words that we teach the dog, and create responsibility to do OR not do something specific. Choose the ones that you think you need. Some need more… Some need less. I suggest these. But remember… It’s your dog!
- Bring It: Bring the thing to me (toy training word. Not a tactical word)
- Out: Let go of the thing (toy training word. Not a tactical word)
- Leave It: Whatever you’re looking at…. Don’t engage with it
- Easy: Calm down. Or, do whatever it is more calmly.
- Here: Push your collar into my hand until I close it.
- Stay: Stay in this geographic area. No position requirement. Usually…. Thresholds, or benches etc…. But eventually…. Generalize to open space.
- Place: Get onto and stay on whatever I’m pointing at. Geographic, not positional. Used for drive. (Stay to decelerate)
- Watch Out: Get out of the way.
- Let’s Go: Loose heel.
- Down: Lay down. In that spot. Facing that direction. Let me handle your gear. Stay in that spot no matter what happens.
- In: Sit directly between my legs. Let me handle your gear. Stay with me if I move.
- Come: Sit directly in front of me. Let me handle your gear. Stay with me if I move.
- Look: Hold direct eye contact no matter what.
In the end…. It doesn’t matter what sounds you use. Or even which of these suggested signals you use. But….. There are two styles of communication: Interpretative, and Literal. Most people never get their definitions to a literal X=Y level. They say shit, and leave the dog hanging out to dry. They guess right= Score. They guess wrong= Trouble. They’re lucky dogs learned to interpret so well. Hell…. They were guessing right before we even developed language! But…. Now… In today’s world. With all we know, and all we demand of them…. Why not take the extra effort and actually mean what we say and say what we mean?!?!?
It doesn’t matter what you used before. You can make the old sound mean new pictures. You can make the new sounds mean a familiar picture.
Go sit down. Figure out your words. Be diligent. Signal= Picture. Every Time.
Now, go play with your dog!