Raising A Well Mannered Mutt with Sallie Palmer

Setting up a secret code with your dog.

What’s a secret code that you can share with your dog?  It’s a unique sound or word that you make so your dog will respond to you with delight and enthusiasm.  The sound can be a whistle, a kissy noise, a repetitive word such as ‘pup-pup’ or any other unique sound that you like. I encourage you to be creative.  It does help if the sound or words are animated and high pitched.  An example of the secret code word I use with my dog, Skete, is to use a nick name ‘Sketeeze’.  I say it in a higher pitch then my normal voice.  Skete will whip his head around whenever he hears me say his nick name and come over to me.

So, why is this secret code just between you and your dog?  Well, no one else will be able to make the same exact noise as you.  Your dog might respond to someone else but chances are he won’t respond with the same enthusiasm as he does with you.  I encourage every family member to take the time to set up their own secret code with the family dog.

How do you set up this secret code with your dog?  It’s very easy.  It’s based on Pavlov’s behavior training. You remember the guy who would ring a bell and the dog would start to slobber because he expected to get a taste of food.  The same thing happens here.  Start with your dog just being near you.  He doesn’t have to be in a formal sit, he just has to be near you.  Next say the secret code word or sound, wait one second and give a very special (it has to be great) treat, toy or enthusiastic petting. It does help if you put the treat in the line of sight with your eyes. If you use a toy, be sure to spend time playing with your dog. Do this a few more times and stop. Don’t ask your dog to do anything other than hear the sound and get a great treat or toy immediately afterwards.  The next day do the same thing only now your dog can be slightly further away but make sure he’s not distracted by something.  Keep doing this for awhile and see if your dog doesn’t become very attentive when he hears the secret code. 

After the secret code has been established, other attention training games such as ‘watch me’ and ‘touch’ can be implemented. Attention training is one of the key foundations to dog training.  You can’t train your dog if you don’t have his attention.  Your dog will love these activities and will think of these activities as games while you will recognize them as training. Your dog will be on his way to becoming a well mannered mutt.

Sallie Palmer teaches group classes for the city of Ukiah and Willits.  She is also available for one-on-one private training for puppies as young as 8 weeks of age or dogs with behavioral issues.  Come and join her on the Sunday Morning Dam Dog Walks at Lake Mendocino.  Launch time is 8:45a.m.

Back to Flea Bags Pet News