Does your dog really "know" their commands?

[smeagle]

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

Well, she is definitely not the brightest bulb. It takes her about three times as long to learn a new trick, like a completely new trick, not building off of anything, than it does Ozzy. Ozzy is a very fast learner, but that also means he gets into a LOT more trouble than Enzo because he can figure everything out a lot quicker.

She shouldn't be lacking in motivation to sit, because the quicker she sits, the quicker she gets to go outside.

I don't mind that she's slow, I just wanted to know if everyone's dogs were like that.

Just out of interest - if you asked her to sit when you had a treat/toy in your hand would it happen any quicker?

I agree some dogs can be a bit slower than others... I have met dogs who are totally chilled out almost all the time! Just naturally low drive I guess

[Fran101]

lol Romeo is like that
I doubt he actually knows the words, its totally hand signals/body language

for example, he knows the first thing I ask him is sit and I have a hand motion for it

My voice gets all squeaky when I tell him to "Sit pretty" plus a hand signal

I could say "potatoe salad" and make the hand signal for spin in a circle and he would spin

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

Well, she is definitely not the brightest bulb. It takes her about three times as long to learn a new trick, like a completely new trick, not building off of anything, than it does Ozzy. Ozzy is a very fast learner, but that also means he gets into a LOT more trouble than Enzo because he can figure everything out a lot quicker.

She shouldn't be lacking in motivation to sit, because the quicker she sits, the quicker she gets to go outside.

I don't mind that she's slow, I just wanted to know if everyone's dogs were like that.

Slowness generally indicates either uncertainty or that they think slowness is correct. Unless there's physical discomfort.

Knowing commands and performing commands are two different things sometimes. Also, knowing commands doesn't mean they know them in all contexts. A sit for dinner isn't the same as a sit at the door.

To build speed, reward speed. Don't reward slow.

I do also find some dogs perform faster than others - Ares had a hard time learning a "stand" command because he won't wait for the second letter to be out of my mouth ~ he'd hear the "S" and his butt was on the floor. I had to teach him to wait for the second letter... I got out of GSDs because they weren't as fast to respond as I like.

[DanL]

I think Gunnar actually comprehends sentences. Recently we were all outside and he was playing ball. Daisy got the ball and ran away with it. He started barking at my wife and I. She says something along the lines of "Don't whine about it, go in the house and get another ball". He did just that, ran in the house and brought another ball to play with. One day our exchange student was sleeping in- school was done, and he was enjoying his late morning. I told Gunnar "go wake up Franco". He ran upstairs, pushed the bedroom door open, and jumped on Franco's bed and woke him up.

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by DanL

I think Gunnar actually comprehends sentences. Recently we were all outside and he was playing ball. Daisy got the ball and ran away with it. He started barking at my wife and I. She says something along the lines of "Don't whine about it, go in the house and get another ball". He did just that, ran in the house and brought another ball to play with.

He's not the first dog I've known who can comprehend sentences like that. It certainly leaves me thinking our dogs are very much underestimated and there's a lot we don't know about them.

[CharlieDog]

I wasn't really wanting to discuss Enzos motivation to sit at the door or just stand there and look at me

I just wondered if other peoples dogs sometimes acted as thick as molassess

[Saeleofu]

Originally Posted by corgipower

He's not the first dog I've known who can comprehend sentences like that. It certainly leaves me thinking our dogs are very much underestimated and there's a lot we don't know about them.

Both my parents' GSD will do things like that.

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by DanL

I think Gunnar actually comprehends sentences. Recently we were all outside and he was playing ball. Daisy got the ball and ran away with it. He started barking at my wife and I. She says something along the lines of "Don't whine about it, go in the house and get another ball". He did just that, ran in the house and brought another ball to play with. One day our exchange student was sleeping in- school was done, and he was enjoying his late morning. I told Gunnar "go wake up Franco". He ran upstairs, pushed the bedroom door open, and jumped on Franco's bed and woke him up.

The papillons in general are like that. They pick up words/sentences faster than any other dogs I've ever had or known. Beau and Mia especially. I think it is partially because I speak to them all the time in full sentences and they DO pick up words and pieces of sentences. They're also just very in tune to their people.

I actually have told Beau to go wake someone up and he went and did it. When Mia was young I told her to go get on the bed having never told her before and she just hopped right up.

Summer is sometimes kind of thick but she gets commands very fast. Her default for when she knows you want something but doesn't know what it is is to play dead. So that is kind of hilarious because when she's frustrated she just starts falling over a lot.

[PlottMom]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

I think it is partially because I speak to them all the time in full sentences and they DO pick up words and pieces of sentences.

THIS. From the second I get a dog I'm always talking to them in full sentences as if they understand me... eventually, they start to pick up on a lot more than people give them credit for... they really are fascinating creatures.

[colliewog]

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

I wasn't really wanting to discuss Enzos motivation to sit at the door or just stand there and look at me

I just wondered if other peoples dogs sometimes acted as thick as molassess

Fortunately, mine all respond right away to verbal cues. But then again, I know I'm spoiled. You've got great patience!! lol