Dog behavior training is both an art and a science. Some
experts say that a dog can have up to an 800-word vocabulary.
I'm not so convinced of the number of words but I can verify
that many of my dogs showed an uncanny ability to figure out
exactly what I was trying to communicate.
One of the best dog training tips I ever got was from a
neighbor when I got my first puppy. I was about 9 years old and
this was the best present my parents had ever given me. My
neighbor was an old hand at training dogs and had living proof
in his own dog.
The first thing I did when I got Skipper (not sure why I picked
that name, it just sounded right) was to rush over and show my
neighbor. His name was hard to pronounce so every one in the
neighborhood just called him Mr. D. So Mr. D was kind enough to
run through some dog training basics and taught me a lot about
how to take care of my new puppy.
Mr. D's dog was a Jack Terrier called Willie. Willie could do
any trick and would respond to almost any request. Willie
pretty much had the run of the neighborhood and was known by
all. In those days people just let their dog out since there
were no leash laws and no one complained. My Mom often gave
Willie any leftovers or a soup bone when he would stop by for
a visit.
So when I showed up with Skipper, Willie was as excited as I
was to have a new playmate. Skipper was a Springer Spaniel that
we had rescued from the city dog pound. Skipper was probably
about 6 months old but we never knew for sure since the dog
pound didn't know when he was born.
The first order of business was your basic dog house training.
I got off pretty easy on this phase since Skipper seemed to
prefer going outside to do his bathroom chores. From day one
Skipper would go to the door and want to be let out when he
needed to go.
Mr. D explained that the two most important things about any
kind of dog training were rewards and repetition. The reward
could be as simple as praise or a pat on the head. And that I
should spend at least 30 minutes a day working with Skipper on
anything I wanted to teach him to do.
So each day I would spend 30 minutes teaching Skipper how to
stay, sit, fetch, and come when I called. Willie would come
over and help too. I don't know if they actually communicated
but having another dog around that already knew all these
tricks had to be beneficial.
Skipper also showed a high aptitude for retrieving. Of course I
didn't know at the time that he was a natural born retriever and
took credit for being a great and skilled dog trainer. Once I
got the basics down I worked on teaching Skipper how to heel,
play dead, and not to jump on people.
Skipper started learning on his own too. When I was at school
or somewhere that Skipper couldn't go, my mother would be his
next choice in companion. In those days we had what was called
a Bookmobile that was a bus from the local library that would
come to the neighborhood twice a week.
Skipper figured out that when the Bookmobile came he got to go
for a walk with my mother. So like clockwork, Skipper would
come to get my mother when it was about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and
Friday. Skipper loved to go since he got to sit at the door and
welcome every one that showed up each day.
Skipper also knew when it was Saturday. Saturday was
grocery-shopping day and when my mother went to the store she
always asked the meat department for some bones. Skipper knew
that he would get his favorite snack on Saturday afternoons
when my mother came back from the store.
For the next 14 years Skipper was my constant companion and
escort. Skipper was an exceptional dog in disposition, learning
ability, and affection. I also had a big advantage having a
helpful neighbor and watching him and his dog. Mr. D and Willie
were both a huge help and positive influence.
Dog training does require some dedicated effort but the rewards
are more than worth the investment. My current dog, Tuxcitto, is
a 24/7 project since he is a Border Collie and full of vim and
vigor. But Tuxcitto is a lot like Skipper in that he is a fast
learner and extremely affectionate companion.
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