Happy December 8th! 🎄🐶
Today's trick is Head – a cozy and cute trick where your dog learns to put his head down towards the floor. 🥰 It's perfect if you want to take cute pictures, and it can also be used for voluntary handling. 🌟
Why train your head ?
It's also a trick that can strengthen cooperation between you and create positive experiences in joint training. And it looks super cute in pictures!
Here are two methods for teaching your dog this cute trick:
1. Shaping – Let your dog think for himself
Shaping is about letting the dog figure out for himself what triggers the reward.
1️⃣ Starting position : Have the dog lie in front of you. You can sit on the floor or in a chair, but avoid using the "cover" signal as it can confuse the image of the exercise.
2️⃣ Reward look down : Wait for the dog to look down at the floor. Mark (with a clicker or "good") and place the treat on the floor where the dog's nose would hit if it laid its head down.
3️⃣ Gradual lowering : Repeat, but wait a little longer so the dog lowers its head more and more before you mark.
4️⃣ Hold the position : When the dog puts its head all the way down, start rewarding it for staying in the position for a longer period of time.
5️⃣ Put on a signal : When your dog can do this 8 out of 10 times, add a signal like "Head", "Cute" or "Down" just before he puts his head down.
2. Target – Use muzzle target as an aid
If your dog can already do muzzle target, you can use that as a guide.
1️⃣ Repeat muzzle target : Have the dog "nuzzle" your hand with its muzzle a few times.
2️⃣ Lying position : Let the dog lie down in front of you.
3️⃣ Hand closer to the floor : Have the dog follow your hand towards the floor. Gradually lower it over several repetitions so that the muzzle eventually touches the floor.
4️⃣ Mark touch : When the dog's chin touches the floor, mark and reward. Repeat until it happens 8 out of 10 times.
5️⃣ Remove your hand : Start making the hand movement smaller and apply your verbal signal as the dog lowers its chin.
Try the trick – and share with us!
How does your dog react when you try the Head trick? Share your experience in the comments section under the gate on Facebook 🎁 We'd love to hear if your dog understands the trick right away or needs a little more time - both are completely normal! 😊
Happy training and happy December! 🎅✨
About Zara Zachariasen from Dog Life
Zara is a dedicated dog trainer and passionate dog owner.
Zara's love for dogs and the relationship between dog and owner shines through in her approach to training. She pays attention to detail and often has a strong theoretical approach to her teaching.
Zara currently works full-time as a dog trainer in her company Hundeliv. Here she shares her knowledge with physical training classes, and regularly as a facilitator of webinars, workshops and articles. Zara has also helped start the "Dog University" at DKK, and is responsible for the course content for this.
Follow Zara on the Facebook page " Hundeliv ," where she shares her own training experiences and reflections.
Advent Calendar with Dog Life in Door 8 - Teach your dog: "Head"
Happy December 8th! 🎄🐶
Today's trick is Head – a cozy and cute trick where your dog learns to put his head down towards the floor. 🥰 It's perfect if you want to take cute pictures, and it can also be used for voluntary handling. 🌟
Why train your head ?
It's also a trick that can strengthen cooperation between you and create positive experiences in joint training. And it looks super cute in pictures!
Here are two methods for teaching your dog this cute trick:
1. Shaping – Let your dog think for himself
Shaping is about letting the dog figure out for himself what triggers the reward.
1️⃣ Starting position : Have the dog lie in front of you. You can sit on the floor or in a chair, but avoid using the "cover" signal as it can confuse the image of the exercise.
2️⃣ Reward look down : Wait for the dog to look down at the floor. Mark (with a clicker or "good") and place the treat on the floor where the dog's nose would hit if it laid its head down.
3️⃣ Gradual lowering : Repeat, but wait a little longer so the dog lowers its head more and more before you mark.
4️⃣ Hold the position : When the dog puts its head all the way down, start rewarding it for staying in the position for a longer period of time.
5️⃣ Put on a signal : When your dog can do this 8 out of 10 times, add a signal like "Head", "Cute" or "Down" just before he puts his head down.
2. Target – Use muzzle target as an aid
If your dog can already do muzzle target, you can use that as a guide.
1️⃣ Repeat muzzle target : Have the dog "nuzzle" your hand with its muzzle a few times.
2️⃣ Lying position : Let the dog lie down in front of you.
3️⃣ Hand closer to the floor : Have the dog follow your hand towards the floor. Gradually lower it over several repetitions so that the muzzle eventually touches the floor.
4️⃣ Mark touch : When the dog's chin touches the floor, mark and reward. Repeat until it happens 8 out of 10 times.
5️⃣ Remove your hand : Start making the hand movement smaller and apply your verbal signal as the dog lowers its chin.
Try the trick – and share with us!
How does your dog react when you try the Head trick? Share your experience in the comments section under the gate on Facebook 🎁 We'd love to hear if your dog understands the trick right away or needs a little more time - both are completely normal! 😊
Happy training and happy December! 🎅✨
About Zara Zachariasen from Dog Life
Zara is a dedicated dog trainer and passionate dog owner.
Zara's love for dogs and the relationship between dog and owner shines through in her approach to training. She pays attention to detail and often has a strong theoretical approach to her teaching.
Zara currently works full-time as a dog trainer in her company Hundeliv. Here she shares her knowledge with physical training classes, and regularly as a facilitator of webinars, workshops and articles. Zara has also helped start the "Dog University" at DKK, and is responsible for the course content for this.
Follow Zara on the Facebook page " Hundeliv ," where she shares her own training experiences and reflections.