Do you use the same commands for different things?

[DJEtzel]

This is typically a "no-no" in dog training, so I'm wondering who does it, and with what words/functions?

I've found myself having the same command for many different things, and also numerous commands for the same thing.

Recon knows "back" - sometimes just "back" or sometimes "back up" "go back" "straight back"... all of them he responds to properly in context- backing up on the flat, backside agility jump, or running between my legs and running straight backwards (from me) for a disc. Only recently did I realize that I was using the same base word for all, but I have no had problems with it.

He also knows two "hit it" commands - one was for flyball IIRC, and the other for a chest rebound - again, no issue.

He also knows "through" to be a through the legs to the right, through the legs to the left, or weaving back and forth through them.

What cues do you have like this and how do you use them?

 

[teacuptiger]

"Get up"/"Go on up" means not only get on the bed or couch, but also go ahead of me (when she's on the long line).

I think that's the only one that has dual usage.

 

[krissy]

The only one I use twice is "off", which either means to release a toy, not to jump up (on people, counters), or when I kick them off the furniture. There doesn't seem to be any confusion about what I mean.

 

[BostonBanker]

I use "touch" both for a hand touch and for Gusto's end behavior on contacts. He doesn't seem to get confused.

I intentionally taught my dogs that "lie down" means to lie down, because while I use "off" for get off me/that person/the furniture, most of my family can't keep it straight and use 'down' for that stuff.

I can't think of anything else I use for more than one behavior.

 

[SaraB]

I use "back" in all the same contexts that you do.

"out" means spin, turn away from me on the flat or get out to an obstacle away from me.

I don't typically have issues because the contexts in which I use the cues are very different from one another.

 

[DJEtzel]

Oh! That's another one Sara. "Out" means move away from me laterally to an obstacle or drop an item. Could you imagine if we ran agility with a ball in their mouths? Lol

Sometimes I also say "out" to get the dogs out of a room.

 

[Beret]

For G, "up-up" is either "get up and this bed/couch/whatever and cuddle with me, dammit", or it's a held hind leg stand. My tone does differ between the 2 though. I place the emphasis on the first syllable to call him onto a surface, and the second syllable for a stand. This is really just coincidence though.

"hold" either follows a take for an object hold, OR it's his bridge for holding a given position.

"paw" is a shake, or if I indicate somewhere, it's a paw placement.

 

[GatorDog]

I use "platz" when I want a fast down, and "relax" when I'm ok with a general lazy down.

 

[Oko]

Guilty as charged. Not for most things. But 'go around' can mean run either direction depending on which way I'm gesturing. She always goes to my left if I don't gesture. And hop up. It means hop into my arms, jump onto whatever I'm pointing at, put your paws up on me...the context is in the body language.