"Make life easier" things?

[Gempress]

Zeus is very good at basic obedience now (I'd say he's about 99% on all his commands), and Voodoo is well on his way. I've decided to teach random "let's make life easier" behaviors. Right now, I'm teaching them to automatically sit off to the side of the doorway whenever the front door opens, and to stay until released. That would make bringing in groceries, taking out the trash, welcoming guests, etc. much easier. It's going great so far.

The next thing I'm going to work on is "single file". I want them to learn to walk with Zeus in the front and Voodoo directly behind him, following closely. I think it would be useful in crowd situations, on a busy road (there are basically no sidewalks in my town) or whenever we encounter other hikers on the narrow trails we walk sometimes.

I was wondering, can anybody else think of some other "make life easier" behaviors that would be useful?

[SummerRiot]

The "wait" command! I use this daily with Riot! SOOO helpful! its like a stay except short term and he has to freeze where he is, in any position.

Where stay is a "stay in right there" type command..

a Wait is more like a "freeze in that position on that spot" type of command.

It does wonders!!

as well as the "off" command. Riot likes to eye birds up and then chase(silly prey drive lol) and the "off" command does wonders mixed with the wait.

He knows that "off -wait" means freeze right now and STOP looking at that **** bird lmao

[elegy]

stand/stay- very helpful if you need to clean paws, at the vet's office, etc.

[SummerRiot]

Yes! Stand is another essential training command! lol

Riot knows it from his puppy conformation classes :)

[Doberluv]

Back up can be useful with a big dog when in a tight place.

Maybe you've already done this: I like an automatic wait before jumping into the back of my car. Sometimes I'm just opening it to get something out or put something in and a dog will tend to just take it upon himself to jump in which is annoying. So, I've taught Lyric to wait until I tell him. Same with getting out...very important that he waits until I'm ready for him, especially when it's in a dangerous place, like in a parking lot or somewhere.

LOL. Here's another one: Turn around. I don't know if you let Zeus on your couch, but Lyric can be on the couch. If I'm sitting there too or want to lie down and he's facing me, it's too crouded and his rough pads scratch my legs so I might tell him, "turn around." That means he gets up and turns and faces the other way with his front legs draping over the arm rest.

[Gempress]

Doberluv, that back up cue sounds useful. I'll try that. I've also taught my boys to wait when entering or leaving the car. They don't enter or leave the back seat without me telling them to. It is such a great thing, especially now that I have multiple leashes to sort through.

Zeus and Voodoo already know "wait" and "leave it" (my version of "off"). Zeus knows stand/stay, and Voodoo....well, I'm working on it. :rolleyes:

I've been thinking, and I think I'm going to try and teach them to slowly rotate and stop on cue. My golden retriever could do that, and it was an immense help during baths and vet visits.

Thanks for all the ideas so far. Keep 'em coming!

[Mordy]

Something I've found particularly useful is "other side".

I've taught Quigley that it means "go to the opposite side from where you are right now" and it really comes in handy, especially when I have my hands full in narrow spaces, such as carrying equipment or groceries from the garage into the house.

[filarotten]

I use back up a lot with Brutus and Roxie. You have to with the large dogs.
Move over, I usually point to the side I need them to move to...so I can set something down.

Out of the kitchen...this helps with three dogs when there are a few people in the kitchen, it gets very crowded.

Hurry up, this helps with our mosquito problem lately, they know to get in the door quickly.

Grab it! Brutus likes to help me carry things...So I tell him grab it with something large and he helps me by grabbing a corner and pulling while I am walking. I found this out a Christmas when some large boxes came in. I was pushing and pulling them down the driveway and Brutus grabbed a corner of the flap and started pulling and helping me. It worked out, pretty well. he also helps me carry in McKinley toys.

But, it doesn't work with groceries. He is way too nosey for that. lol

[Doberluv]

Hurry up, this helps with our mosquito problem lately, they know to get in the door quickly.

LOL. I can relate...have been working on that too. I don't remember having such an awful lot of mosquitos since I've lived here. It's been wetter than usual. They're just driving us nuts. They get all over the dogs and then if you forget to brush 'em off, in they come. Grrrrr. I hope they go away soon.

Gempress...sounds like you've got some good things going. Your doggies are well behaved.

[Renee750il]

"Move your butt" comes in handy, lol! Along with "out of the way," "let me through," and "Lie still" when I'm picking my way through dogs strewn across the floor at night . . .

Of course, the handiest one is being able to look at Bimmer, raise one eyebrow, and nod my head toward whoever is about to get in trouble. Bimmer does the rest, often without ever getting up :D What would I ever do without Bimmer . . .