How To Teach Your Dog A New Trick
In my experience, the fastest and easiest way to teach a dog a new trick is to build on some action that they already do well on their own.
Here's what works for us...
As one example, our dog would frequently rest his chin on the floor, with paws flat out in front of him... so we called this the "pray" position.
Here's how we put that behavior to work and taught him a new trick.
Day One: Give The Behavior A Name
After we noticed our dog doing this same behavior on his own sometimes, we started to nonchalantly say, "Good pray!" "Did you pray?"Then, a few days later, we would say "Pray... Can you pray?" Clueless, he would eventually rest his chin on the floor and we'd jump & shout and holler to the hills "Good pray!!!"
He would immediately receive a treat at the same time.
A few seconds later, we did it again. "Pray... Can you pray?"
Still clueless...
Eventually he would rest his chin on the floor (as if he were bored). And we'd scream, "Good pray!!!" followed by a treat.
A few more times, we would do this with him. About 6-8 times is his threshhold though. Much more than that and he loses interest in whatever we're doing -- treat or no treat!
Day Two: Personal Prayer Requests
After Day One of introducing him to the "pray" command, we waited a good 12 to 24 hours and did the above steps all over again the next day.After going through 6 to 8 requests for him to "Pray", he would slowly start to grasp that "chin on the floor" meant "pray" and got him a treat and lots of praise.
that is a good idea i have a german shepherd dog and she does the same thing!
I think that last comment was intended for this post... perhaps in answer to Morgan (Apr 8, 2007) or Amy's (May 24, 2007) questions.
responding to your question
yes i just purchased a jap/pug two days ago
beautiful dog his coat looks like a pug very short and silky not long furred.
if you like a pic will send one
also have a pomapoo