Click or Treat

A few months ago I decided that I should try to teach my dog some basic commands.  I did a bit of research and learned that the first command commonly taught is “SIT”.  The book I read said something about holding your closed fist over your dog’s head and instructing him/her to “sit”.  Then as soon as the dog follows the command, you’re supposed to say something like, “Good sit” and shower the dog with praise.

Since my dog didn’t respond too well to that, I started giving her treats as an incentive.  It worked.  Sort of.  After she finally caught on that “sitting” meant “treat/food,” she started using that as her signal that she wants to be fed.  On occasion, she might respond to the word “sit” if I am trying to use the command to get her to calm down and stop jumping up on me or other people.  But once she realizes that a treat is not going to follow, she looks at me like, “Ppfft… Whatever...”  And then she continues to jump and run and do whatever she feels like doing at that time.

Despite that, I eventually tried to teach the command “down,” which means for her to lie on her belly.  That took more work.  I actually had to sit on the floor with one leg raised a bit so that she could crawl under my leg in order to get the treat.  Once her bottom hit the ground, I would let her have the treat.  When she finally realized that being in THAT position meant getting fed, she began lying on the ground spontaneously if she happened to see me eating something.

Needless to say, neither of these commands really works unless she is trying to get me to feed her.  All of this leads to the fact that she is now enrolled in a training class.  (That and the fact that she needs more socialization.)

Kitty is not a bad dog.  She doesn’t destroy things or act aggressively towards people.  She is actually very sweet, and very quiet.  She hardly ever barks.  So, she is not a problem animal in the least.  But she doesn’t really know what it means to be an “obedient” dog.  If you call her name, she might come; she might not.  If you throw her toy and ask her to go get it, she might do it; she might not.  If I tell her to go “meme” (as in go to sleep), she might do it; she might not.  But I’m pretty sure her reluctance to do any of things is not because she doesn’t understand.  I believe she has just figured out that she doesn’t really HAVE to.

The proof is in the fact that I can ask her if she wants “apple,” and her ears perk up.  Or if she hears me in the kitchen chopping ANYTHING, she will come running, thinking that I am chopping up some apple for her!  Other times, I can say, “Let’s go!” and she will jump off her bed and run to me, knowing I am going to take her somewhere.  Sometimes she will even go so far as to run and jump into her carrier all by herself.  So, I know she’s smart.  She’s just got a mind of her own.

When we attended her first training class last Saturday, we were given a clicker.  Our homework assignment was to use it as often as possible all week long.  If you see your dog doing something “right”, you are supposed to click and treat, click and treat.  All week long.  And by the end of the week your dog is supposed to love the clicker. 

The thing is… I work a lot of hours.  So, Kitty’s click and treat sessions are only about once a day.  It’s been four days, and I still don’t think she gets it.  She is so focused on the treat, and I swear every time I click the clicker, she gives me this look that says, “What the heck are you doing?  Just give me the darn treat!”  Then she looks at me confused, as if she doesn’t know if I am playing with her and asking her to “fetch” the clicker, or if I’m asking her to eat the treat. 

My poor dog.  Maybe my dreams of her being a well-trained guard dog are just too big for her…