December 4th: Teach Your Dog the Secret Trick – A Fun and Magical Exercise! 🐶✨
Today we're going to talk about a fun and impressive trick that will surely delight both adults and children: The Secret Trick! 🤫💖 This trick is based on a simple exercise where the dog learns to place its muzzle in your hands by your ear, as if whispering a secret. The trick not only strengthens the cooperation between you and your dog, but also serves as a fun way to create an even better relationship.
Have you ever tried smiling, even though you weren't really in the mood for it, and discovered that you actually became a little happier? 😊 In the same way, the secret trick can help your dog find focus and calm, while also being a fun activity.
Three methods for learning the secret trick: Target, shaping, and luring
There are several ways to teach the secret trick, depending on what works best for you and your dog. Here are the three main methods:
1. The Target method
For dogs that already know about muzzle targets or chin targets.
1. Start with muzzle target: Do a few repetitions of muzzle target, where the dog must touch your hand with its muzzle.
2. Different positions: Hold your hands in different places – up, down and to the sides – so the dog learns to follow your hand.
3. Move your hand to your ear: Slowly start moving your hand up to your ear.
4. Create a funnel: Shape your hands into a funnel by the ear, and reward the dog when it sticks its nose in.
5. Give the signal: When the dog understands the exercise, say, for example, “secret” just before it sticks its nose into the funnel.
2. The Shaping Method
Here the dog thinks for himself and is rewarded for small steps towards the goal.
1. Create a funnel with your hands: Place your hands in front of you and reward the dog for the slightest interest.
2. Reward for nose contact: Wait until the dog puts his nose into the funnel himself.
3. Extend the time: Gradually extend the time the dog keeps its nose in the funnel before you reward.
4. Move the funnel to the ear: Once the dog has understood the exercise, you can move your hands to your ear and repeat.
5. Add signal: Turn on the verbal signal when the dog masters the exercise.
3. The lure method
Here, treats are used as GPS to guide the dog through the exercise.
1. Treat in the funnel: Hold a treat inside the funnel (hands shaped like a funnel) and let the dog eat it from there.
2. Repeat and vary position: Move the funnel to different positions and repeat the exercise.
3. Phase out the treat: Slowly remove the treat from the funnel, but still reward the dog when it sticks its nose in.
4. Move the funnel to the ear: When the dog looks for its nose in the funnel without a treat, place it by your ear.
5. Set signal: Add your chosen signal, e.g. “secret”, when the dog is familiar with the exercise.
Why the secret trick is brilliant
The secret trick is not only fun, but also a great way to create a sense of security and joy for your dog. Like forcing yourself to smile, the exercise can help your dog find peace and focus when it associates it with something positive. 🥰 It's also a trick that excites children and other dog lovers when your dog shows you how to "whisper" in your ear.
Share your experience and participate in the competition!
How does your dog react when you try the secret trick? Have you tried one of the methods, or does your dog have his own fun way of doing it? Find the trick on Facebook and share your experiences – and enter the competition for a gift card! 🎁🐾
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 4 - Teach your dog the secret trick
December 4th: Teach Your Dog the Secret Trick – A Fun and Magical Exercise! 🐶✨
Today we're going to talk about a fun and impressive trick that will surely delight both adults and children: The Secret Trick! 🤫💖 This trick is based on a simple exercise where the dog learns to place its muzzle in your hands by your ear, as if whispering a secret. The trick not only strengthens the cooperation between you and your dog, but also serves as a fun way to create an even better relationship.
Have you ever tried smiling, even though you weren't really in the mood for it, and discovered that you actually became a little happier? 😊 In the same way, the secret trick can help your dog find focus and calm, while also being a fun activity.
Three methods for learning the secret trick: Target, shaping, and luring
There are several ways to teach the secret trick, depending on what works best for you and your dog. Here are the three main methods:
1. The Target method
For dogs that already know about muzzle targets or chin targets.
1. Start with muzzle target: Do a few repetitions of muzzle target, where the dog must touch your hand with its muzzle.
2. Different positions: Hold your hands in different places – up, down and to the sides – so the dog learns to follow your hand.
3. Move your hand to your ear: Slowly start moving your hand up to your ear.
4. Create a funnel: Shape your hands into a funnel by the ear, and reward the dog when it sticks its nose in.
5. Give the signal: When the dog understands the exercise, say, for example, “secret” just before it sticks its nose into the funnel.
2. The Shaping Method
Here the dog thinks for himself and is rewarded for small steps towards the goal.
1. Create a funnel with your hands: Place your hands in front of you and reward the dog for the slightest interest.
2. Reward for nose contact: Wait until the dog puts his nose into the funnel himself.
3. Extend the time: Gradually extend the time the dog keeps its nose in the funnel before you reward.
4. Move the funnel to the ear: Once the dog has understood the exercise, you can move your hands to your ear and repeat.
5. Add signal: Turn on the verbal signal when the dog masters the exercise.
3. The lure method
Here, treats are used as GPS to guide the dog through the exercise.
1. Treat in the funnel: Hold a treat inside the funnel (hands shaped like a funnel) and let the dog eat it from there.
2. Repeat and vary position: Move the funnel to different positions and repeat the exercise.
3. Phase out the treat: Slowly remove the treat from the funnel, but still reward the dog when it sticks its nose in.
4. Move the funnel to the ear: When the dog looks for its nose in the funnel without a treat, place it by your ear.
5. Set signal: Add your chosen signal, e.g. “secret”, when the dog is familiar with the exercise.
Why the secret trick is brilliant
The secret trick is not only fun, but also a great way to create a sense of security and joy for your dog. Like forcing yourself to smile, the exercise can help your dog find peace and focus when it associates it with something positive. 🥰 It's also a trick that excites children and other dog lovers when your dog shows you how to "whisper" in your ear.
Share your experience and participate in the competition!
How does your dog react when you try the secret trick? Have you tried one of the methods, or does your dog have his own fun way of doing it? Find the trick on Facebook and share your experiences – and enter the competition for a gift card! 🎁🐾
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.