How can the Basic ‘Eye Contact' Exercise in Dog Training be used to Control Canine Behaviour?:
Professor David Premack wrote that a person can be motivated to take part in an unfavoured activity, if they know a favoured activity will follow. This became the Premack Principle, or the less formal term ‘Grandma's Rule'. His hypothesis appears to fit into the everyday human behaviour. For a long time parents have bargained with their children stating, ‘you can play with your friends, when you have finished your homework.' Many children will understand that the faster they complete their schoolwork, the faster they will be allowed to have fun with their peers. The Premack Principle can also be applied to dog behaviour training. Most owners quickly become accustomed to what activities their dog enjoys, and they can then begin to use them as a bargaining tool in dog training. For the sake of this article, ‘eye contact' will be used as a Premack marking behaviour- the behaviour we will request from the dog before we let him take part in a favoured activity. I aim to demonstrate how a simple behaviour like eye contact can control dogs' actions, without the need for force or punishment. In order to do this I will explain the relevance of ‘eye contact' in dog training and the basics of how to use it as a Premack teaching method.
Anyone who has adopted a new puppy or an older dog will have noticed their zest for life. Sometimes owners seem invisible to dogs, and almost anything or anyone else is more interesting to them. People get more and more frustrated as their dog matures and still will not return to them when he's called. They have been one of the unlucky dog owners chasing manically after their dog through the park. Most of the time owners unwillingly train their dogs not to return to them, as the dog has not been taught that paying attention to his owners earns him lots of treats. The most basic way to do this is by teaching an eye contact exercise, as it can then be incorporated into everyday life, and used as a Premack marking behaviour. It means that you can manage every life reward your dog gets (e.g. greeting other dogs, a game of chase, following a scent), in turn remaining in control without asserting forceful authority.
How do you teach eye contact? It's easy, simply do it whenever you get the chance. If you are out for a walk and your dog begins to pull, you must firstly assess the situation and determine what activity is the desired one for your dog. Some dogs may not have been trained to walk loosely on a lead, others may want to cross the road to say hello to a neighbour. You simply stop walking and wait for your dog to glance at you. You can then say ‘good' and continue walking to the enticing goings-on. It is important that your timing is impeccable and that you give the voice command as soon as your dog glances at you. You must also be patient! Some dogs take longer to cotton on than others, and you may find yourself waiting for some time before he looks your way. He will get there eventually, as long as you are consistent, and never let your Premack thinking cap slip. Eventually you can increase the training criteria by introducing eye contact with a sit, or perhaps asking for eye contact at a distance. All in all if you can master eye contact, you have the basis for all dog obedience training.
Teaching eye contact as a Premack teaching method is in keeping with my own training ethos: that a dog learns best through consistent rewarding of good behaviour. It simply allows you to teach a dog that he will be rewarded as long as he looks to you first for the nod of approval. I teach this in a number of formats throughout my adult/advanced group classes, puppy/ beginner classes and 1-2-1 sessions (Based in North and South London, UK). It can be difficult to put eye contact into practise and I have hundreds of ways of incorporating it, whilst always ensuring your timing is perfect. It is an ethical approach to maintaining control of your dog's behaviour without compromising a positive and modern approach to training. For more information please visit www.kudosk9.co.uk or email info@kudosk9.co.uk.
Anyone who has adopted a new puppy or an older dog will have noticed their zest for life. Sometimes owners seem invisible to dogs, and almost anything or anyone else is more interesting to them. People get more and more frustrated as their dog matures and still will not return to them when he's called. They have been one of the unlucky dog owners chasing manically after their dog through the park. Most of the time owners unwillingly train their dogs not to return to them, as the dog has not been taught that paying attention to his owners earns him lots of treats. The most basic way to do this is by teaching an eye contact exercise, as it can then be incorporated into everyday life, and used as a Premack marking behaviour. It means that you can manage every life reward your dog gets (e.g. greeting other dogs, a game of chase, following a scent), in turn remaining in control without asserting forceful authority.
How do you teach eye contact? It's easy, simply do it whenever you get the chance. If you are out for a walk and your dog begins to pull, you must firstly assess the situation and determine what activity is the desired one for your dog. Some dogs may not have been trained to walk loosely on a lead, others may want to cross the road to say hello to a neighbour. You simply stop walking and wait for your dog to glance at you. You can then say ‘good' and continue walking to the enticing goings-on. It is important that your timing is impeccable and that you give the voice command as soon as your dog glances at you. You must also be patient! Some dogs take longer to cotton on than others, and you may find yourself waiting for some time before he looks your way. He will get there eventually, as long as you are consistent, and never let your Premack thinking cap slip. Eventually you can increase the training criteria by introducing eye contact with a sit, or perhaps asking for eye contact at a distance. All in all if you can master eye contact, you have the basis for all dog obedience training.
Teaching eye contact as a Premack teaching method is in keeping with my own training ethos: that a dog learns best through consistent rewarding of good behaviour. It simply allows you to teach a dog that he will be rewarded as long as he looks to you first for the nod of approval. I teach this in a number of formats throughout my adult/advanced group classes, puppy/ beginner classes and 1-2-1 sessions (Based in North and South London, UK). It can be difficult to put eye contact into practise and I have hundreds of ways of incorporating it, whilst always ensuring your timing is perfect. It is an ethical approach to maintaining control of your dog's behaviour without compromising a positive and modern approach to training. For more information please visit www.kudosk9.co.uk or email info@kudosk9.co.uk.
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