Useful Behavior

I've managed to teach Gracie a rather handy trick.  When there's something out of her reach that she really wants, she comes back to me to sit in/near heel position and looks up at me as though asking permission.  Assuming what she wants (usually something really worth smelling and peeing on) is something I'm ok with her having/checking out, I say "Ok" and walk with her to whatever the awesome thing/smell is. 

This came about when I decided I had to stop Gracie's horrible pulling habits.  We've used a combination of when Gracie pulls, I turn and go the other way rewarding her when she catches up to me, and stopping when she pulls and continuing forward when the leash slackens.  The first one seems to be better at actually teaching a dog not to pull, but it was the second tactic that started Gracie asking for permission. 

When I stop moving when Gracie pulls she normally turn towards me a bit or take a step back to slacken the leash.  However, if there was something ahead that Gracie really, really, really wanted, she wouldn't let the leash become loose nearly as easily.  I'd stand there with her struggling at the end of the leash until she became frustrated enough that she'd start to try stuff to get me to let her move forward.  A sit is a super easy behavior, so that's what she offered.  Eventually I started asking her to come sit closer to me.  She'd sit near the end of her leash, looking back at me by this point, and I'd say, "No, you have to come sit by me."  Of course she didn't understand the words, but I'd include a gesture to get into heel position so she'd know what I was talking about!

We've gotten in such a habit of this that in the last couple of weeks there have been a few times that I'd be distracted by my other dog and when I'd look back at Gracie, she'd be sitting in heel looking at me and then in the direction she wanted to go.  Of course I release her and walk to the point of interest!  I've even been able to ask her to wait while Gidget finishes her business before releasing Gracie.  She's such a smart girl!

I love this behavior because it allows Gracie to communicate with me what she wants in a way that keeps us both happy.  I'm not getting angry because she's trying to drag me to every spot some dog peed on, and she's not frustrated in not being able to reach something she wants.  It's a win win!

Now lately I've been trying to think of ways to teach this to other people and their dogs and what other uses there'd be of this.  In the level 1 class I help with we do a come game that involves toys and other interesting objects on the floor.  When the dog shows interest in an object, you say their name, wait for their attention, and then say come.  I'm thinking that if you don't say the dog's name and just prevent them from getting what they want, the dog should eventually offer a behavior in hopes of being allowed to get the object.  Of course the dog needs to be an expert at sit, down, heel, or watch me so that the dog has behaviors to offer.  It would also help if the dog is used to offering behaviors as opposed to being shown what to do.  Treats, people, and even other dogs could also be used for this.  Then you'd have a dog that's always asks permission!

I believe the idea here is essentially the Premack Principle.   If a dog wants to do one activity (sniff something, eat a treat, great a person, etc.), the dog will do a less exciting activity (sit, down, heel, watch me) to get to do the more exciting activity.  How useful is that?!

If anyone reads this regularly, I'd love to hear of other useful behaviors you've taught your dog.  From an easier way to wipe paws, to bringing you a beer, or maybe just something that keeps your dog busy while you're working.  Would also love thoughts on asking permission and other uses of the Premack Principle!  Happy dog training!