February 2023 - 2 Minute Trainer

Dog training is a joy

Dog training is a joy, not a chore. If it feels like work, or just another obligation, it’s time for a reset.

For the kabillionth time, if you’re not having fun playing training games with your dog, you’re doing it wrong.

It’s probably not your fault. Society puts dog training in the “something you gotta do” category. Get a dog, go to class. Then, after you “graduate,” you can have fun with your dog.

Hogwash! Every single piece of training your dog should have elements of joy. Admittedly, there are some things that are more fun than others.

Potty training a puppy isn’t all that much fun, especially when the weather’s lousy and you’re standing in it. But there are inklings – when your dog gets it right and bounces when you praise and reward. When you realize there hasn’t been an accident in days. When you say “Potty!” in the right spot and the puppy does it! Success is always fun.

Dogs just want to have fun

One of Hope’s obedience competition students said her dog doesn’t like doing the “Down!,” so she doesn’t practice it much. Predictably, her dog, when told to “Down!” is hesitant and slow.

The student and her dog are caught in a feedback loop. They’re feeding off each other’s distaste for the exercise. Since this team wants to compete in both Obedience and Rally, not having a “Down!” is a big problem.

Some people may just practice more, longer, harder. That’s not the way to achieve a slam-to-the-floor “Down!” on command. To get that enthusiasm, the dog has to love doing something. They’ll do whatever you ask (eventually) just because you asked it. But to generate the joy – they have to love the game.

We told our student to stop practicing “formal” downs. Or formal anything, for that matter. Incorporate training games into everyday life. If you’re walking down the hall to your bathroom, grab a treat, call your dog, walk briskly, and ask for a sudden “Down!” Celebrate, reward, and that’s it.

Part of every day

If your dog lags behind you when you’re walking, run a few steps, turn around, and play-wrestle with your dog. “Where were you?” “I was looking for you!” Chances are, the next few steps your dog will not only be with you, but watching your face. And probably smiling.

This week’s competition class started with introducing a game to the teams. Every handler/dog team got a plastic cone. And strict instructions that whatever the dog did with the cone; looked at it, sniffed it, pawed at it, swatted it across the room, was to be praised and rewarded. Even though all of these people know about training games, they resisted at first.

After just a few minutes, the cones went away and we practiced the warm-up heeling around the room. That’s what we usually start class with.

And it was a revelation to the people how much better their dogs performed. There were smiles all around the room – both the dogs and people. Because dog training is a joy.

Best morning routine includes your dog

Even the grumpiest getter-upper has a better start if dog games are part of the morning routine. You have to give your dog breakfast anyway. Why not turn it into a game to start the day?

Torque plays "Tap!" during his morning routine with Hope. — Torque plays “Tap!”

You don’t have to go anywhere, or prepare anything special. The dog food’s already there. You’re there. Your dog is with you. Wouldn’t a game of “Tap!” make you smile? How about making a dog-training game out of making breakfast? Teach your dog to open a cabinet, just by attaching a rope to the handle. Wouldn’t that be adorable?

Productive morning routine

According to the giant search engine, the trend since the start of the year includes making morning routines more productive. While resolutions have gone by the wayside, now people are getting realistic and looking for good ways to make the most of their days.

It’s not easy to build a new routine – habits are almost as hard to make as they are to break. According to studies we’ve seen, it takes anywhere from 28 to 250 days to form a habit, with most people falling into a range of about 66 days. That’s more than two months!

It’s no wonder resolutions don’t happen. Especially since most aren’t fun. They may be good for you, but let’s face it. If it were something you enjoyed, you wouldn’t have to resolve to do it.

Training games are different

But you do enjoy playing with your dog. You must, or you wouldn’t have a dog. So start small for a new morning routine. When you measure out your dog’s food, set five pieces aside. And ask your dog to do something (time for Kitchen Games!), either one thing five times, or five different things (sit, stand, down, paw, spin). When the five pieces are gone, you can feed your dog as usual.

Or, if you find yourself smiling and having fun, use more of your dog’s meal to keep playing. And that’s how you start to form a new morning routine that’s not only productive, but fun as well.

Dog Training Is Love Language

With Valentine’s Day coming up, everybody and their uncle is getting all gushy and throbby-hearty. Nothing wrong with being reminded to show your love. There’s no such thing as too much. And one of the beings in your life that is the epitome of unconditional love is your dog. Pure, unselfish, love is what dogs bring to our lives. And training is that dog love language.

We’ve been hearing about “love language” for a while now – how people relate to five different types of “love language.” We’re not sure why you have to choose, all are valid. And all five are essential parts of dog training. Our conclusion is that one of the best ways to show your dog that their love is appreciated and returned is to play training games every day.

Five love languages

The five labels for love language are:

Words of affirmation
Acts of service
Gifts
Quality time
Physical touch

Even just listing them, aren’t you going “check,” “check,” “check” in your head while you’re thinking about training games?

Words of affirmation

This one is a “gimme.” Whether you tend to be quiet or enthusiastic in giving feedback to your dog, they know the click, the “good dog!,” the “atta boy (or girl),” is confirmation of their worth and your love. It’s affirmation up the kazoo. There’s not a dog owner in the world who hasn’t looked into their dog’s eyes and cooed “Who’s a good dog? You’re a good dog!” just to see that tail wag, butt wiggle, and paw dance. Check!

Acts of service

Maybe not in the context of training games, but all the things we do for our dogs. Granted, it’s a responsibility we’ve chosen to take, but that doesn’t minimize its value. Feeding, walking, bathing, cleaning up after – all of those things add up to acts of service for our dogs.

Non-dog people may see this and wonder what we get out of the constant demands on our time and attention, not to mention wallets. And if/when one of them mentions something to that effect, we can shake our heads and pity them. Because they have no idea how great it feels to be completely loved and trusted by a dog. They’ve never looked into a dog’s eyes and seen themselves adored. Isn’t that sad?

Gifts

Maybe all of these are pretty obvious. Whether your dog is food- or toy-motivated, every reward could be considered a gift. It can also be considered payment for a job well done. But our gifts to our dogs aren’t limited to the rewards given in training games. We don’t know any dog owner who hasn’t given their dog something “just because.” Because they’re cute. Or because they’re good. And just because we love them.

Quality time

This is the definition of dog training games. Even if you only manage one two-minute session on some days, for those two minutes your entire attention and focus is on your dog. That’s the gift that every dog cherishes above any other – quality time with you. Even if your training games don’t go the way you expect some days, you still managed to let your dog know they’re important, and loved. (See “Top 10 reasons to play dog training games.”)

Physical touch

This is probably the most common way that people connect with their dogs to let them know they’re loved. Every dog owner can relate to what’s happening when you see a dog shove their muzzle into a person’s hand. Or put a paw on an arm or leg. Dogs not only like physical touch, many are determined to claim it as their due. Dogs aren’t called “pets” for nothing. We like petting them, and they like to be petted. Where’s your dog’s favorite spot? Behind the ears? In front of their tail? How about their jaw/throat? Or is it tummy rubs they love most? Every dog owner knows.

It all translates to love

You’re a lucky person when you have a dog. Especially if you’ve taken the steps to give your dog the enriched and fulfilled life that training games bring. There’s no way you need a translator for dog love language. You’re already fluent.

Dog Training Game: Gimme your face!

Torque's "Gimme your face!" pose. — Torque’s “Gimme your face!” pose.

Part of having dogs is all the “husbandry” stuff you have to do – brushing, cleaning, grooming, etc. Lots of dogs don’t particularly care for it – especially if you’re trying to mess with their face. Wouldn’t you, your veterinarian, and your groomer love it if your dog was a willing participant? That’s why we teach the “Gimme your face!” dog training game.

Like all communication between you and your dog, you can call the game whatever you want. A friend of ours uses “Chin!” to get her dog to lie flat with chin on the ground. It was her cue for the obedience “down-stay” exercise. Whatever you can easily remember would be just fine. We like “Gimme Your Face!” because it makes us smile.

Gimme Your Face was a game changer

And it can be incredibly useful. Quite a while ago, we had a Boston Terrier named Daemon. Unfortunately, Daemon developed cataracts in his eyes when he was only about seven years old. At the time, veterinary ophthalmologists would remove the cloudy lens, but did not implant a new one as they do today. Which would have been awful for Daemon – his favorite game was fetching his beloved yellow rubber ball.

So we asked our own optometrist if he would consider fitting Daemon for contact lenses. He agreed and our regular veterinarian came with – it was the only legal way the eye doctor could prescribe for a dog.

To get to the point for this tip – Daemon knew “Gimme Your Face!” And that was how we got him to rest his chin on the gizmo doctors use to look into your eyes. That same place you put your chin – Daemon knew to put his! If he hadn’t already known the game, there was no way the doctor could have prescribed contact lenses for Daemon.

Every day after work we would ask “Daemon, want to put your eyes in?” and he would run into the bathroom to have us put his contacts in. And every evening before bed, we would take them out. Over the next several years he only lost a couple of contacts – he loved being able to see.

Variation on “Touch!”

So how do you teach your dog to “Gimme Your Face!”? One of the very first training games dogs should learn is “Touch!” – touching their nose to the palm of your hand. If your dog doesn’t already play this regularly, start here: Training Touch! We like it because it’s a game you can easily play anywhere, especially when your dog is stressed and nervous. Remember that familiar games help dogs regain focus and composure.

To teach “Gimme Your Face!,” begin with the “Touch!” and, while rewarding your dog for the touch, slide your palm underneath the dog’s chin/jaw, cradling it lightly. Say “Good Face!” (or “Chin!” or your own word), reward again, and remove your hand.

Repeat the same sequence a few times, until your dog seems comfortable with it. Some dogs really love getting their chins/throats scratched, and easily learn this new game. Especially if you tickle or scratch them at the jaw.

Next steps

When you think your dog is starting to understand the game, try cupping your palm and saying “Face!” If your dog readily puts their chin in your palm – click and reward! “Good Face!”

The next step is to build some duration into “Gimme Your Face!” It’s easy to do – just keep your dog’s chin in your hand and deliver treats. Short intervals at first, then gradually increasing the time between rewards. If your dog lifts their head, return the treat in your hand to the bowl. Leave your hand in place and wait for your dog to replace their chin in your palm.

As always, some dogs love the game and catch on immediately. Others take a little longer. But it’s worth waiting for and being patient. Imagine how much easier it will be for you to brush your dog’s teeth and clean their ears if they willingly “Gimme your face!”