For this training example, let’s say your dog chose to continue away from you. Immediately repeat your phrase without the accompanying sound; your (3rd request) “dogs’-name-come-good-boy”.
At this point, you might figure that the dog would not respond. While this may be so, we do not know for sure. Observation is required. He may have experienced the desired conditioning from even just that one instance of presenting the “key” or “cue” word in association with the sound.
For this reason, we presented our command on this, your third request, without the conditioning sound. If any response occurred, again, even a seemingly negative response like running further away, praise is required. If you’re certain your dog is not responding, on this, his third request, the request will then once again be repeated, for the fourth occasion, this time, while presenting the sound from another direction, preferably beyond your dog, and exactly timed to occur with the “key” or “cue” word.
SOUNDS MUST NEVER BE REPEATED FROM THE SAME POSITION TWICE IN SUCCESSION!
In this instance you will repeat the command phrase, your (4th request) (toss can now) “dogsnameCOME good boy” and toss your can beyond (not at, but beyond) your dog, so as to cause the can to strike the ground exactly on time with the “key” or “cue” word.
This requires just a little bit of skill, because the can must be ejected several moments prior to repeating the command phrase, (because of the distance), so as to strike the ground exactly at the same time as our “key” or “cue” word, and the entire sequence must occur as quickly as possible. Yes, I agree, things sounded simple enough until all of this first and third without sound, and second and fourth with sound stuff. Relax, we’ll try this again, in “real time”, and then you may try to practice on your own for a few minutes. Let’s run through the command sequence as if you’re dog were not cooperating.
We’ll use UPPER CASE to denote command accompanied with sound.
Try reading aloud, (not in the presence of dogs) and actually using the cans. Set a target about 10 feet away to practice your throw on the fourth command. Start now: take a deep breath, hold it, read aloud: “dogsnamecomegoodboy”- (next create sound on COME) “dogsnameCOMEgoodboy”-(repeat quickly)”dogsnamecomegoodboy”-(toss can now) “dogsnameCOMEgoodboy”.
Breath!
See? It’s easier than it sounded the first time.
Try this until you’ve got the timing down so the “key” or “cue” words and sounds are in sync.
If any response occurs, instant, spontaneous, constant praise, must follow, until your dog is close enough to pat. Remember, even begging and pleading are O.K., as long as you do not move toward him and you do and repeat the command.
Repeating commands will cause the dog to cause you to continue repeating commands. But are we not repeating the command in the exercise?
Yes, we do repeat the command, but never without punctuating the command on its first repetition, which will fix that command into the reflex system. As soon as the conditioned reflex is installed, the command may not be ever needed more than once.
That’s it!
And it happens that fast!
Over some period of time the conditioning may deteriorate for a variety of reasons.
