| - The Correction Voice Command. The handler should choose one correction command and stick to it. I use 'Ahhh!' - pronounced 'Arrrr', it is a natural command, short and sharp and easy to get out quickly to aid timing. The correction command cannot be used in the trial ring.
- The Adjustment Voice Commands. Adjustment commands are used as training tools to correct the way an exercise is being carried out. I have already partly defined the way I use 'Close'. These voice commands can also be used in the trial ring, by a handler who has his wits about him and uses a degree of Ringcraft, when things are going awry. Police k9 training. Enforcement equipment k9 law. I use the following adjustment commands:
- Front. 'Front' means: 'Get straight in front!'. The command can also be used instead of 'Come'. I teach the meaning of the command by saying it as I physically place the dog into the correct position with my hands, while using my foot to tap the dog's behind into the correct position or while using my legs or arms to restrict the dogs options in the position. See Sit and Positioning Training.
- Close. 'Close' means: 'Move closer!'. The command can also be used for the Heel and Finish commands. I also use the command in a static situation to adjust a Sit at Heel.
- Back. 'Back' means: 'Stop forging or anticipating, come back!' The command can also be used for the Heel command. I also use the command in a static situation to adjust a Sit at Heel.
- Up. 'Up' means: 'Stop lagging, Come Up!' The Command can also be used for the Heel command. I also use the command in a static situation to adjust a Sit at Heel.
- Leave It. 'Leave It' means: 'Leave alone whatever is distracting your attention from me'. The adjustment command is used to get the dog's attention back on the task at hand. The distraction may be itching, scratching, sniffing, annoying, interesting, digging, socialising, etc.
- Quickly. 'Quickly' means: 'Move more quickly!' The command can also be used instead of "Come"
- Hold. 'Hold' Means: 'Hold the retrieve object in your mouth until I give the 'Give' command and take it from you'.' Hold' cannot be used for this purpose in the trial ring.
- Give. 'Give' means: 'Release the retrieve object from your mouth now'. 'Give' can be used in the trial ring to mean the same thing.
- Look. 'Look' means: 'Look where I am pointing!' Great for teaching directed retrieve and handy on other occasions too. I teach the command when the dog is a pup, the best method is to send the dog to a loved one by pointing to them - 'Look, point, go to Mummy!'. Later, when the dog is familiar with the meaning of 'puppies', 'horses', 'sheep', 'kangaroos', etc you can say identify animals by their names and point to them while driving in the car, out walking or at any other opportunity. The dog will soon learn to look for your point and follow its direction to see the animal or other interest.
- Sleep. 'Sleep' means: 'Go to sleep'. This command is taught using the Opportunity Method. It is used in Down Stays to get the dog to loll on to one hip, tuck one paw under and, if possible, relax and to go to sleep.
- Mat. 'Mat' means: 'Go to your mat'. This command was used with my first pup to control him in the house. A piece of carpet was his place inside the house. I discovered later that I could use the command to teach the 'go out to the box' for the 'Directed Jumping' exercise, ie by placing his mat in the box and sending him to it. It worked superbly. I have used it ever since.
- The Release Command. The release command means: 'All formal work has now ceased - you may relax - do your own thing'. I use the command 'OK'. Some trainers believe the word/s 'OK' are used too frequently in conversations to be safe for obedience trialling - I have never had a problem with it.
'Wait' vs 'Stay' Voice Commands. At the beginning of this section I stated: If you cannot explain what the command means in a few words, how do you expect your dog to understand it? You may also have noticed that I do not use the word 'Wait' as a trial command. I have trained my dogs to the Obedience Champion level and have never seen the need for a command that distinguishes the handler defined subtle meanings of 'stay' and 'wait'. When I ask triallers who do use both commands what the commands mean to their dog, a torturous explanation usually follows which would keep a hungry constitutional lawyer in constant high class dinners and Chardonnay for years. The intended difference between 'stay' and 'wait' means different things to different triallers (and schools) but these are the most common intended meanings of 'wait' and 'stay': - Stay. 'Stay' is intended to mean: 'Remain as still as practical in your present position until I give you another command. I AM leaving you now but WILL return to you before I give you another command', eg stand for examination, stand free, food refusal, speak on command, group stays.
- Wait. 'Wait' is intended to mean: 'Remain as still as practical in your present position until I give you another command. IF I leave you now, I will NOT be returning to you before I give you another command', eg recalls, open retrieves, broad jump. I believe the distinction between 'stay' and 'wait' is so subtle as to make not a shred of difference to the dog. Indeed, I believe if the commands were inadvertently reversed, the dog would not behave differently than usual. I do not have too many problems with the following version of 'wait':
- Wait. 'Wait' can also be intended to mean: 'Remain in this general vicinity until I give you another command', eg an instructor commands his dog to 'wait' untethered in a shady area while he takes his class for an hour, the dog is to 'wait' while tethered outside a shop while the handler ducks in for some groceries, the dog is to 'wait' in an open car until the handler gets organised and is ready for the dog to accompany him/her. In this version of 'wait', the dog can move about, stand, sit, drop, etc as long as it remains in the general vicinity of where the command was given.
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