Proofing Commands

[Linds]

So I'm curious what all you guys do to make sure your dog truly understands the command. Eg-Sit doesn't only have to be if you are standing in front of them and so on.

I've tried very hard to do this with Traveler by having him do positions behind me or in another room or making him sit, stand, down etc. in motion or laying down when I ask him to do things but I'm always on the look out for more ways to up the stakes and proof the commands. Because it drives me nuts when they start doing a routine and stop listening to what was asked of them

So, share yours!

 

[MyHorseMyRules]

I'll let you know once Raja starts sitting on command in even the least distracting setting.

 

[Linds]

I'll let you know once Raja starts sitting on command in even the least distracting setting.

Shush you, don't lie. Raja was a perfect lady the whole time she was here even her singing was in tune

 

[ihartgonzo]

LOL @ Raja!

To me, the ultimate way of proofing is having some one ELSE give your dog commands. Especially some one outside of immediate family and friends. Fozzie had trouble with this. He's much better now that he knows other people give him the biggest jackpots.

 

[Saeleofu]

Different places, different surfaces, voice only, hand signals only, etc. If you can think up a situation, go for it. A lot of dogs won't sit on cold concrete, snow, ice, wet ground, puddles, metal grates, etc. I was worried Logan wouln't like metal grates (gavroche isn't a fan of them) but now he practically pounceson them, he LOVES them lol

 

[Dekka]

My fave proofing we did in one obed class. All dogs were down in their long stays. We didn't go out of the room (just in case) but all moved away from the dogs.

The instructor threw balls and flew a hovering toy around the dogs. She would also kneel down and call your dog (not by name.. just here doggie doggie) and pretend she had cookies. Kaiden was a star. Dekka couldn't stay for the balls. (though to be fair at the time she was barely a novice dog and one year of age)

I don't worry about other people commands for my dogs. I don't care if Dekka doesn't site when other people ask her, as long as she sits when I ask her. (though she does perform for others, and will run agility with anyone she knows has a ball on them) I do distraction proofing mostly. Though I think just in my normal training my dogs get asked to do strange things in normal places and normal things in strange places so it all works out.

 

[corgipower]

Though I think just in my normal training my dogs get asked to do strange things in normal places and normal things in strange places so it all works out.

Pretty much this.^

I don't really think much about proofing. I just train in a lot of places and with varying distractions. Of course always being careful to not ask for something the dog really isn't ready for, always prepared to back up a stage or two as needed, increasing reinforcement when the situation is more difficult and then if the I find something specific that presents a problem, assessing it and breaking it down to work on that. I try to avoid any sort of pattern training from the start ~ like the dog can only sit when he's in front of me, a down can only be done after a sit, etc.

 

[corgipower]

To me, the ultimate way of proofing is having some one ELSE give your dog commands.

I do that too but for a different reason.
I do it to make sure my dog won't listen to commands from other people while he's performing a command from me.

And it's not really the ultimate proofing...
For a Koolie? The ultimate proofing would be to have him do obedience around a flock of sheep.

 

[Southpaw]

I never really think about proofing. The commands that I care about proofing (sit, stay, come, etc) are the ones that I use on pretty much a daily basis, so they kind of get proofed by default just out of natural use. I don't have issues getting Juno to sit anywhere we go, because it is definitely my most used command. But I don't suspect she'll ever respond to Stand outside of the house, and she'll never roll over unless she's on the living room rug... those are just things we don't use outside of training sessions.

In any case... for Juno, I like practicing in the presence of other dogs. Because if she can obey a command when dogs are around, then I know she gets it and can do it anytime, anywhere--dogs typically turn her brain to mush. And guess what--SIT is just about the only thing she obeys when distracted by a dog!

 

[oakash]

I'll let you know once Suzie starts sitting on command in even the least distracting setting.

There. I fixed it for you

But yeah, Suzie is a ditz with distractions. And she listens to sit. Sometimes. Unless the wind is blowing. Or a leaf fell to the ground. Or she hears something that she is totally making up.

 

[MyHorseMyRules]

There. I fixed it for you

But yeah, Suzie is a ditz with distractions. And she listens to sit. Sometimes. Unless the wind is blowing. Or a leaf fell to the ground. Or she hears something that she is totally making up.

:rofl1:

 

[JacksonsMom]

I don't know... I guess I never purposely set out to proof any of Jackson's training but I have by just practicing them everywhere. He will do all of his tricks even at the dog park, including his roll overs, play deads, cop cop (feet on mine), and all the fancy stuff. As long as I have a good treat in a public place, he will do it. He will also perform for other people, including young children giving him commands, but it's usually not perfect with others or little kids because he doesn't quite understand them like he does me.

 

[Linds]

Interesting hearing what you all do.

Yeah, I've never honestly worried about my dogs preforming for others except when kids want them to do it and then I just give the command behind them

Traveler is great in every situation I've thrown him in and will do everything he's learned no matter where we are so far from the dog park to the pet store to the training club. BUT dogs running around him is a challenge and I need to work on that more and him around small dogs he wants to love on. Also, cold ground on the family jewels, he is not a fan of that. Luckily he's focused on me most of the time so distractions aren't as big of a deal with him as they could be

I also want a female in heat to practice around because he is sure showing a love for the ladies and I'm thinking that's going to be a hard one

Dekka-I need to get some people to do that because I'm thinking Traveler wouldn't hold when called over by someone. The toys and all he would because I've made him do that, but the chance to get pet just might over rule his brain

CP-I gotta get me some sheep to practice with!

 

[PWCorgi]

I also want a female in heat to practice around because he is sure showing a love for the ladies and I'm thinking that's going to be a hard one

Dibs on a puppy if that training situation goes seriously wrong

 

[corgipower]

I also want a female in heat to practice around because he is sure showing a love for the ladies and I'm thinking that's going to be a hard one

Well demmit. Nyx was just in heat last month. I'd be happy to send her your way next time though.

 

[Linds]

Dibs on a puppy if that training situation goes seriously wrong

:rofl1: Jes and I were trying to figure out how big of terror Raja and Traveler pups would be and decided there are only about 5 people in the world that could handle them

I can see the Traveling Loons head only getting bigger when he finally does reproduce

Well demmit. Nyx was just in heat last month. I'd be happy to send her your way next time though.

Practice for both him and me! You will of course be willing to take the pups that might result from that until PWC gets a pup right?

 

[Dekka]

Girls in heat were allowed (with panties) in obed classes at the club. Kaiden got to do many a long sit and down beside a lovely young bitch.

 

[Linds]

Girls in heat were allowed (with panties) in obed classes at the club. Kaiden got to do many a long sit and down beside a lovely young bitch.

Our club allows them too but I don't think there have ever been any when I was there with Traveler. I haven't been able to go consistently lately so hopefully when I can again I'll run into some

 

[corgipower]

You will of course be willing to take the pups that might result from that until PWC gets a pup right?

:rofl1:
Uh, nope.

I say we just send pregger Nyx to PW and let her deal with the whole process.

 

[Linds]

:rofl1:
Uh, nope.

I say we just send pregger Nyx to PW and let her deal with the whole process.

Yes, I do think that is the best solution, it's good we've got a plan in place :lol-sign: