CHAPTER 4
NURTURING YOUR DOG’S NATURAL ABILITIES
IN THIS CHAPTER
CONNECTING BREEDS AND BEHAVIOR
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG’S PSYCHE
TRAINING GEARED TO PUPPIES
TRICK TRAINING BEGINS BY CONSIDERING YOUR DOG IN DETAIL. BREED, PERSONALITY, AND BODY TYPE ALL AFFECT YOUR DOG’S COORDINATION AND FLEXIBILITY. CHAPTER FOUR ALSO CONTAINS ADVICE ON DOG FOODS AND TOPS FOR FEEDING FOR SUCCESS, AND SHOWS YOU HOW TO KEEP SPORTS INJURIES AT BAY.
TAKE A LOOK AR YOUR DOG. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT? BIG OR SMALL? ACTIVE OR A COUCH POTATO? PUPPY OR ADULT? BEFORE YOU INTRODUCE YOUR DOG TO TRICK TRAINING, GET A HANDLE ON WHO HE IS: WHERE HE’S FROM, HIS PERSONALITY AND AGE. DOGS ARE LIKE SNOWFLAKES, THUMBPRINTS, AND CHILDREN -- THEY’RE ALL UNIQUE EACH ONE WILL RESPOND TO TRAINING DIFFERENTLY.
FOR EXAMPLE, A FETCHING ENTHUSIAST WILL RETURN A BALL UNTIL YOUR ARM FALLS OFF, WHEREAS A NONRETREIEVER WILL LOOK AT YOU CROSSED EYED AND LEAVE THE BALL WHERE YOU THREW IT. KNOWING YOUR DOG’S BREED CHARACTERISTICS AND PERSONALITY PROFILE IS A MUST BEFORE YOU GET STARTED. NOT SURE WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT? READ ON: THIS CHAPTER I’LL TEACH YOU ABOUT YOUR BREED CHARACTERISTICS.
SORTING BY BREED CHARACTERISTICS
OPEN ANY DOG BOOK AND YOU’LL SEE LOTS OF DIFFERENT DOGS. BIG DOGS, SMALL DOGS, ALL-SIZES-IN-BETWEEN DOGS. DOGS WITH SHORT HAIR. DOGS WITH LONG HAIR. DOGS WITH NO HAIR!!! WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? ALL THESE DIFFERENT DOGS BELONG TO DIFFERENT BREEDS. A BREED IS A GROUP OF DOGS THAT ARE ALL THE SAME SIZE, HAVE THE SAME HAIR STYLE, LOOK PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AND ACT PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. AMERICA, BREEDS ARE CATEGORIZED INTO SEVEN GROUPS: SPORTING, HOUND, WORKING, TERRIER, NON-SPORTING, TOY, AND HERDING. THESE GROUPS ARE ORGANIZED BY THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, OR AKC, ACCORDING TO SHARED CHARACTERISTICS. ONE THING’S FOR SURE -- DIFFERENT BREEDS DO DIFFERENT THINGS.
TO KNOW WHAT TRICKS AND ACTIVITIES YOU AND YOUR DOG WILL GET THE MOST OUT OF TAKE A LOOK AT HIS BREED. CERTAIN BREEDS WILL HAVE CHARACTER TRAITS THAT NATURALLY LEND THEMSELVES TO SPECIFIC TRICKS AND ACTIVITIES.
IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE ARE 140 BREEDS RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. THE AKC IS IN CHARGE OF ASSIGNING A NUMBER TO AND COUNTING EVERY SINGLE PURE-BRED PUPPY BORN IN AMERICA. WHAT A JOB! WHAT I TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF IT, I CAN’T HELP BUT THINK BACK TO SCHOOL: YOU HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT CLASSES AND ONE PRINCIPAL OFFICE, THE AKC, THAT KEEPS EVERYTHING ORGANIZED.
SPORTING GROUP
ORIGINALLY BRED TO SPEND ENTIRE DAYS RUNNING IN THE FIELDS IN THE FIELDS SEEKING OUT AND COLLECTING LAND AND WATERFOWL FOR THEIR MASTERS, THE SPORTING GROUP IS STILL PRETTY HUNG UP ON THE RETRIEVING THING. THEY’RE AN ENERGETIC, LOYAL, HAPPY DOGS WHO THRIVE ON INTERACTION. TRUSTING, FRIENDLY AND EAGER TO PLEASE, THEY TAKE TO TRAINING (BOTH WITH TRICKS AND OBEDIENCE) WELL AND GENERALLY VIEW EACH NEW EXERCISE AS AN ADVENTURE.
AN OVER-DISCIPLINED OR UNTRAINED SPORTING DOG, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL USE ALL HIS COOPERATIVE, RETRIEVING SKILLS AGAINST YOU. INSTEAD OF BRINGING YOU OBJECTS, HE’LL PLAY KEEP-AWAY. CALL HIM AND HE’LL STAY JUST OUT OF REACH. IGNORE HIM AND HE’LL BARK AT YOU. TRAINED OR UNTRAINED, HELPFUL OR BOTHERSOME, ENDEARING OR ANNOYING -- IT’S UP TO YOU.
HOUND GROUP
THESE GUYS WERE BRED TO COURSE FAST-MOVING GAME, WITH HUNTERS IN QUICK PURSUIT. DOGS WITH A MISSION! ACTIVE, LIVELY, AND RIGGED, THE HOUND GROUP HAS BEEN DOMESTICATED INTO FUN LOVING, GENTLE PETS WITH A HIGH SPIRIT FOR ADVENTURE.
NOT BRED TO LOOK TO HUMANDS FOR DIRECTION, THEY USUALLY DON’T. CONSEQUENTLY, OBEDIENCE TRAINING CAN BE SLOW AND CHALLENGING; HOUNDS WOULD RATHER TRAIL A RABBIT THAN HANG OUT DOING SIT-STAYS. TRICK TRAINING, HOWEVER, WITH ITS USE OF FOOD AND TOY LURES, TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING. HOUNDS EXCEL IN ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE THEIR NOSE, AND IF YOU PUT THEM IN THE SPOTLIGHT, THESE GUYS ARE REAL HAMS.
A LEASH OR ENCLOSURE IS REQUIRED WHEN HOUNDS ARE OUTSIDE. ALTHOUGH STUBBORN WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING, THEY’RE STILL A LOT OF FUN.
WORKING GROUP
THIS IS THE MOST DIVERSIFIED GROUP IN TERMS OF THEIR BREED FUNCTIONS. SOME PULL SLEDS, OTHERS GUARD FLOCKS, AND OTHERS PROTECT THE HOMESTEAD. THEY DO HOWEVER, HAVE ONE COMMON THREAD: THEY’VE ALL WORKED IN THE PAST TO SERVE PEOPLE.
A DOG WITH A HISTORY LIKE THAT CAN’T BE IGNORED! OBEDIENCE IS A MUST THROUGH AFTER THOSE SKILLS ARE MASTERED, TRICK AND ACTIVITY TRAINING IS A NATURAL ADJUNCT. NOT QUICK TO EMBARRASS THEMSELVES DOING CIRCUS ROUTINES, HOWEVER, THEY PREFER MORE COMPLEX, MULTI-STEP TASKS THAT PUT THEIR MINDS TO WORK.
THOUGH MORE PATIENCE MAY BE REQUIRED WITH CERTAIN ROUTINES, THESE GUYS CAN LEARN ANYTHING. ON THE OTHER HAND, AN UNTRAINED WORKING DOG IS LOST. UNEMPLOYMENT LEAVES THEM BORED, NERVOUS, AND IN SOME CASES, TERRITORIAL AND AGGRESSIVE.
TERRIER GROUP
ORIGINALLY BRED TO CONTROL THE RODENT POPULATION IN MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES (ESPECIALLY ON THE BRITISH ISLES) TERRIERS ARE A SELF-ASSURED, SPIRITED, AND LOVELY BUNCH. AGILE AND INDEPENDENT, THEY DON’T EXCEL IN OFF-LEASH OBEDIENCE TRAINING AND NEED TO BE LEASHED OUTDOORS.
TRICK TRAINING, HOWEVER, IS A DIFFERENT STORY. TERRIERS LOVE THE SPOTLIGHT. AS HAPPY ON TWO LEGS AS THEY ARE ON FOUR, THEY’LL DAZZLE YOU WITH THEIR ATHLETIC FEATS. GREAT CANDIDATES FOR THIS TRICK AND ACTIVITY BOOK, THEY’LL LEAVE YOU IN A FIT OF HYSTERICS MARVELING AT THEIR SPUNK, QUICK-MINDEDNESS, AND A GOOD HUMOR. UNTRAINED OR OVER ISOLATED, HOWEVER, THESE LITTLE ACROBATS CAN BECOME CHRONIC BARKERS, DESTRUCTIVE CHEWERS, AND URINE MARKERS, OR MAY DEVELOP AGGRESSION OVER OBJECTS, FOOD, WITH OTHER ANIMALS.
TOY GROUP
THESE DOGS WERE BRED FOR ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY -- TO BE COMPANIONS. IN KEEPING WITH THEIR ANCESTORS, THEY CONTINUE TO PERFECT THE ART OF BEING ADORABLE. PLAYFUL AND AFFECTION, TOYS LOVE THE SPOTLIGHT, AND IF THE END RESULT OF A TRICK SESSION IS MORE ATTENTION, THEY’LL BE HAPPY TO COOPERATE. DON’T GET YOUR LITTLE HANDFUL CONFUSED WITH A WORKING BREED, HOWEVER. IF THE TASK IS TOO DIFFICULT OR YOU’RE NOT PRAISING THEM ENOUGH, THEY JUST MIGHT GO ON STRIKE.
ANYONE WHO HAS EVER SHARED THEIR LIFE WITH A SMALL DOG WILL TELL YOU THEY’RE ADORABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY’RE PUPPIES. SPOILING THEM ALMOST SEEMS TO GO WITH THE TERRITORY. AFTER ALL, THEIR BEHAVIOR IS SO MINIATURIZED THAT’S RARELY A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, LIVING THE UNSTRUCTURED LIFE, BEING DOTED ON NIGHT AND DAY, IS JUST AS HARMFUL FOR THEIR PSYCHE. THE RESULT? WHAT I CALL SMALL DOG SYNDROME. SOUND FAMILIAR? IF OBEDIENCE IS TOO STRUCTURED FOR YOU, TRY TRICK TRAINING. LITTLE DOGS TAKE TO IT LIKE A FISH TO WATER, AND SEEING THEM PERFORM IS ADORABLE.
IT’S EASY TO NEGLECT ANY TYPE OF TRAINING WITH TOY DOGS, BUT OWNER BEWARE! WITHOUT DIRECTION THEY CAN BECOME QUITE TYRANNICAL, RULING THE HOUSE WITH CONSTANT BARKING AND SNAPPING. TO GET THE MOST FROM THESE LITTLE GUYS, TRAIN THEM TO DO SOME USEFUL TRICKS, ENDEARING THEM TO ONE AND ALL.
NON-SPORTING GROUP
UNLIKE OTHER GROUPS, THERE IS LITTLE CONSISTENCY IN PERSONALITIES HERE BECAUSE THE NON-SPORTING DOGS WERE ALL BRED FOR DIFFERENT TASKS. ONE THING IS CONSISTENT THOUGH -- THEY’RE ALL LOVABLE! SOME TAKE TO TRICK TRAINING BETTER THAN OTHERS. A DALMATIAN, FOR EXAMPLE. WILL SLIDE INTO A TUTU MUCH MORE READILY THAN A LHASA APSO.
MANY OF THESE BREEDS WERE ORIGINALLY BRED FOR SPECIFIC WORK, BUT BECAUSE WORK IS HARD TO COME BY THESE DAYS, THEY’VE BECOME COMPANIONS. IF YOU’VE GOT A DOG FROM THIS CATEGORY. CONSULT BREED - SPECIFIC BOOKS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOURS LIKES TO DO.
HERDING GROUP
THESE DOGS WERE BRED TO MOVE FLOCKS AND HERDS. AGILE AND ALERT, THEY’RE QUICK TO FIGURE OUT IF THE PEOPLE THEY LIVE WITH ARE SMART ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED SHEPHERDS OR PASSIVE PEOPLE. IF YOU’RE A SHEEP, YOUR HERDER WILL RUN CIRCLES AROUND YOU. IF YOU’RE HIS SHEPHERD, TRAINING WILL COME QUICKLY AND EASILY.
READY TO MASTER ANYTHING NEW, THEY MAKE GREAT TRICK DOGS AND EXCEL IN AGILITY GAMES. ISOLATED OR IGNORED, THEY MAY DEVELOP TIMIDITY, BARKING, OR PACING HABITS.
IDENTIFYING A MIXED-BREED DOG
IF YOU HAVE A MIXED BREED DOG, DON’T DESPAIR! YOUR JOB IS TWICE THE FUN! FIRST, SEE IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE MIX. IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, GET A PROFESSIONAL OPINION. AFTER YOU HAVE THAT ROUGH SKETCH, READ OVER EACH DOG GROUP. THEN, ON TO THE FUN PART - THE OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIMENT. IT’S TIME TO STUDY YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR AND DECIDE WHERE HE FITS IN.
“HYBRID VIGOR” ----- WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THERE IS A THEORY AFLOAT KNOWN AS HYBRID VIGOR. IT CONTENDS THAT DUE TO THEIR LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE GENE POOLS, MIXED BREED DOGS ARE SUPERIOR IN HEALTH AND TEMPERAMENT TO PURE-BRED DOGS. WHAT DO YOU THINK? THE STORY SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. THERE ARE A LOT OF INHERITED HEALTH PROBLEMS IN CERTAIN BREEDS, SUCH AS HIP DYSPLASIA. REGARDING TEMPERAMENT, THERE ARE AS MANY GREAT MIXED DOGS AS THERE ARE PURE BRED. THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU. ALSO WHEN LOOKING FOR A DOG AND IF YOU DON’T CARE IF IT’S A MIXED BREED PLEASE VISIT THE POUND FIRST TO SEE IF THERE IS A LOVELY DOG THERE THAT YOU CAN TAKE HOME!
TAGGING YOUR DOG’S PERSONALITY
AFTER YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG’S ANCESTRY, YOU’LL NEED TO TAKE AN INDIVIDUAL LOOK AT HIS PERSONALITY. LIKE US, THEY’RE ALL DIFFERENT, AND HOW THEY RELATE TO THE WORLD DIRECTLY AFFECTS HOW THEY’LL RELATE TO YOU, THEIR TEACHER. DOG’S LIKE PEOPLE HAVE DISTINCT PERSONALITIES AND SOME ARE DEFINITELY MORE INTO LEARNING THAN OTHERS. FORTUNATELY, EVERY DOG HAS A WEEK SPOT. WHETHER IT’S CHEESE OR MEAT, OR TOYS, IT’S YOUR JOB TO FIND SOMETHING YOUR DOG CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT.
I HAVE INDENTIFIED SIX CHARACTER TYPES OF DOGS THAT I’LL REFER TO THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE BOOK. READ THEM OVER AND IDENTIFY YOURS.
EAGER BEAVER
AS TRICK DOGS, THESE DOGS WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOU HAPPY, ALTHOUGH THEY CAN BE DIFFICULT AND MANIC IF IGNORED. PRESENTED WITH NEW MATERIAL, IT’S ALMOST AS IF THEY’RE RACING THE CLOCK TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT.
YOU’LL NOTICE THEY EXCEL IN TRICKS THAT APPROXIMATE WHAT THEIR PARTICULAR BREED WAS DESIGNED TO DO. WITH THIS TYPE OF DOG, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DECIDE WHAT’S NEXT AND IT’S DONE. THOUGH ENTHUSIASM AND STAYING POWER ARE A MUST, HARSH TECHNIQUES WILL CRUSH THEIR SPIRIT
JOE COOL
THESE FELLOWS ARE LAID BACK AND RELAXED, AND NOT TERRIBLY INTERESTED IN ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES. OBEDIENCE PUTS THEM TO SLEEP, AND WHEN IT COMES TO TRICKS, YOU MIGHT GET A TEENAGE EYE ROLL WHEN YOU REQUEST “PAW”
EVERY DOG HAS HIS WEAK SPOT HOWEVER, PERHAPS CHEESE OR DRIED LIVER -- AND AFTER YOU DISCOVER IT, YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT HOW QUICKLY YOUR MELLOW FELLOW WILL COME TO LIFE. LESSONS MUST BE KEPT SHORT AND YOUR ENTHUSIASM HIGH TO KEEP THESE GUYS AWAKE AND INTERESTED.
COMEDIAN
THESE GUYS ARE THE DANNY KAYE OF THE DOG WORLD. THEY LIVE FOR A LAUGH. WONDER DOGS, THEY’LL FIGURE OUT A ROUTINE BEFORE YOU’VE HAD A
CHANCE TO LEARN IT YOURSELF. QUICK MINDED PERFECTIONISTS, COMEDIANS WILL GET INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE IF THEY’RE NOT DIRECTED. BULLY THESE DOGS TAKE THEMSELVES FAR TOO SERIOUSLY. IN A GROUP OF DOGS, THEY WOULD BE DESTINED TO LEAD, AND YOUR HOME IS NO DIFFERENT. UNLESS YOU’RE AN EXPERIENCED TRAINER, DOGS WITH THIS NATURE CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TRAIN FOR ANYTHING. OBEDIENCE TRAINING IS A MUST, AND ALTHOUGH THEY’RE OFTEN TURNED OFF BY FRIVOLOUS TRICKS, THEY EXCEL IN ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRACKING OR AGILITY. BUT IF YOUR BULLY DOG THREATENS YOU, SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER, AND DON’T DELAY. SWEETIE PIE DOCILE AND MILD, THESE DOGS LIKE TO OBSERVE SITUATIONS RATHER THAN CONTROL THEM. WHERE ARE OBEDIENCE TRAINING MAKES THEM FEEL MORE SECURE ABOUT SITUATIONS, TICKS, AND ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES HELP BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE. THEY ADORE THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE AND TRAIN BEST UNDER A SOFT, PATIEN HAND. YELLING OR HITTING FRIGHTENS THEM TERRIBLY, EVEN WHEN IT’S NOT DIRECTED AT THEM. NERVOUS NELLY THESE DOGS LIKE TO VIEW THEIR WORLD FROM BEHIND YOUR LEGS. BE PATIENCE AND FORGIVING WHEN TEACHING NEW MANEUVERS, AND YOU’LL NOTICE HOW EITHER YOUR DOG IS TO PLEASE YOU. TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL TO HELP THESE DOGS FEEL MORE SECURE AND TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE. TRAINING A PUP ---- BE PATIENT ALTHOUGH YOU CAN DEFINITELY TEACH YOUR OLD DOG NEW TRICKS, DON’T START YOU PUPPY TOO YOUNG. IT TAKES TWELVE WEEKS FOR THEIR BRAINS TO COMPLETELY DEVELOP, AND ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO FOR THEIR ATTENTION SPAN TO MATURE. WAIT UNTIL YOUR PUPPY IS AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS OLD BEFORE YOU INTRODUCE HIM TO THE ROUTINES IN THIS BOOK. LEARNING ANYTHING, EVEN FUN TRICKS, IS STRESSFUL. IF YOU’VE GOT A YOUNG PUPPY CHEWING ON YOUR SHOELACE, YOU CAN GET A HEAD START ON HIS MOVIE STAR POTENTIAL BY OBSERVING AND INTERACTING WITH HIS EVERYDAY PLAY. LISTED IN THIS SECTION ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS THAT WILL HELP YOU IDENTIFY YOUR PUP’S NATURAL ABILITIES. RETRIEVING ROVER THESE DOGS LIKE TO PUT EVERYTHING INTO THEIR MOUTHS. TOYS, SHOES, PAPER TOWELS -- IT’S ALL THE SAME IN HIS EYES. CORRECTING A YOUNG PUPPY IS LIKE YELLING AT AN INFANT: IT DOESN’T REGISTER. INSTEAD, ENCOURAGE YOUR PUP TO SHOW YOU HIS “PRIZE” BY PRAISING HIM EVERY TIME HE PICKS SOMETHING UP, AND REWARD EVERY DELIVERY WITH A TREAT FROM THE TREAT CUP. YOU MAY THINK YOU’RE REWARDING DELINQUENT CHEWING. BUT IN FACT, CHEWING ITSELF WILL NOT BECOME A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOUR PUP WILL BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU HIS TREASURE. THINK OF IT THIS WAY: YELLING AT A PUPPY WHEN HE GRABS A SOCK IS PERCEIVED AS PRIZE ENVY (YOU WANT WHAT HE HAS), AND THAT’S WHAT RESULTS IN DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING. CIRCUS CLOWN THESE PEPPY, BRIGHT CREATURES ARE AS HAPPY ON TWO PAWS AS THEY ARE ON FOUR. ALERT AND INQUISITIVE, THEY WANT TO BE IN ON EVERYTHING AND ARE DRAWN TO LAUGHTER NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEIR FORWARDNESS CAN BE QUITE ANNOYING IF YOU DON’T REDIRECT THEIR ENERGY. FORTUNATELY THEY LOVE TO LEARN. AND YOU CAN START TEACHING A LOT OF NATURAL ROUTINES FROM THE START. WHEN THEY ARE HOPPING AROUND ON TWO LEGS, TELL THEM. “DANCE” IF THEY PUT THEIR PAWS ON YOU, LOOK TO THE CEILING AND IGNORE THEM. SOON THEY’LL CATCH ON TO THE GAME AND DANCE ON THEIR OWN. ELBOWS ON THE FLOOR, TAIL IN THE AIR, THE PLAY BOW IS A FAVORITE READY POSITION FOR THE CLOWN. IF YOU SEE ONE, PRESS YOUR HANDS AGAINST YOUR KNEES IN DELIGHT AND SAY “TAKE A BOW” MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO! THESE GUYS GET VERY IMPATIENT WHEN THE ATTENTION IS OFF THEM. TO REGAIN THE SPOTLIGHT, THEY HAVE MANY ROUTINES, ONE OF WHICH IS BARKING AT YOU. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THEN TO YOUR DOG AND SAY “ SPEAK-SPEAK” AFTER TEN SECONDS SAY “WAIT” AND IGNORE THEM. ALL PUPPIES LOVE TREAT CUPS. TO MAKE YOUR OWN, GET A FEW DISPOSABLE PLASTIC CUPS AND SOME TREATS OF CHEERIOS BREAKFAST CEREAL. FILL EACH CUP ONE-THIRD FULL WITH TREATS OR CEREAL, AND SPREAD THEM AROUND THE HOUSE. EACH TIME YOU PASS ONE, SHAKE IT AND CALL YOUR PUPPY’S NAME. SOON HE’LL PAY ATTENTION EVERY TIME YOU CALL HIM, TREAT CUP OR NOT. A+ ACADEMIC THESE GUYS ARE THE ENGINEERS OF THE DOG WORLD. OBSERVANT AND KEENLY AWARE, THESE PUPS DO AS WELL IN MULTISTEP TASKS AND TRICKS AS ADULT DOGS. FOR NOW, PLAY HIDE AND SEEK GAMES TO KEEP THEIR MINDS SHARP. HOLDING YOUR PUP’S COLLAR, SHOW HIM A TREAT AND SAY, “SNIFF” IF HE REACHES OUT TO SNATCH IT, PULL HIM BACK. TOSS THE TREAT FIVE INCHES IN FRONT OF YOU AND MAKE HIM WAIT. WHEN HE’S CALM, SAY “GO FIND” AND LET GO OF THE COLLAR. PROGRESSIVELY TOSS THE TREAT FURTHER, THEN HAVE SOMEONE HIDE IT AROUND A CORNER OR UNDER THE EDGE OF A RUG. AS YOUR PUP GETS BETTER, YOU CAN HIDE TWO OR THREE TREATS IN MORE CHALLENGING PLACES. PRACTICE THE RACE-AROUND RECALL WITH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE. HAVE EVERYONE TO STAND ABOUT TEN FEET APART, EACH WITH A TREAT CUP. CALL YOUR PUPPY BACK AND STAND ABOUT TEN FEET APART, EACH WITH A TREAT CUP. CALL YOUR PUPPY BACK AND FORTH USING HIS NAME AND LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. AFTER HE CATCHES ON, HAVE ONE PERSON HIDE AROUND A CORNER OR BEHIND A TREE WHILE YOUR PUPPY IS RACING AROUND. INCREASE THE DIFFICULTY OF YOUR HIDING SPOTS AS HE CATCHES ON. AGILE ATHLETE THE HUCKLEBERRY FINN OF THE DOG WORLD, THESE GUYS END UP IN THE DARNDEST PLACES, AND CORRECTING THEM ONLY INCREASES THEIR MISCHIEF. SETTING UP AN OBSTACLE COURSE IN YOUR HOUSE OR BACKYARD CAN TONE DOWN THEIR CURIOUS STREAK. BE CREATIVE--BROOMS OR LOGS TO HURDLE, A TUNNEL TO ZIP THROUGH, OR AN OLD TIRE TO CLIMB ON. IF YOUR HOUSE AND YARD ARE TOO SMALL, USE WHAT YOU CAN FIND AT A LOCAL PARK. MAKE SURE YOUR JUMPS ARE AT LEAST ONE INCH LOWER THAN YOUR PUPPY’S SHOULDER BLADES. JUMPING TOO HIGH CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE GROWING MUSCLES AND JOINTS. DOG-GONE DIGGER IS YOUR PUPPY INTO EVERYTHING? ARE YOUR HOUSE PLANTS BEING UPROOTED? YOU NEED A GAME TO REDIRECT YOUR PUP’S IMPULSES. AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE (ONCE A WEEK IS FINE IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY) PUT ON GARDEN GLOVES, STUFF SOME BISCUITS IN YOUR POCKET, AND TAKE YOUR PUPPY TO A GOOD DIGGING AREA. SAY “GO DIG” AND START DIGGING YOURSELF, LIKE A DOG, BURYING HIS TREATS AS YOU GO. SOON IT WILL BE A MUD SLINGING FREE-FOR-ALL, AND YOUR HOUSE PLANTS WILL BE FOREVER IN YOUR DEBT. DISCOVERING YOUR PUP’S NATURAL TALENTS CAN BE A REAL ADVENTURE!