Teaching a dog to "roll" - where to start?
Every dog is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all educational formula when it comes to training pets. However, we know from experience that bright and intelligent dogs love new challenges and experiences. Nevertheless, the guardian must remember that when learning new commands, including the "roll" command, the pet must feel safe, loved and properly motivated. Based on these assumptions, we provide tips that will definitely help you optimize your training.
Perseverance, self-control and consistency
Approach your training with consistency and persistence. Some dogs learn very quickly while others take a little longer to learn. Even if you feel that you are stuck in a certain place during training, you should never lose your patience. Besides, you must remember that from the dog's point of view, what is allowed once is always allowed! Your dog doesn't understand why he is allowed to do something once and not another time. Therefore, learning will only be effective if your pet receives a clear, understandable and unequivocal message.
No dog is disobedient because he wants to upset the guardian, as a rule, he simply does not understand what is expected of him. For this reason, concise, unambiguous instructions are important during training. As your dog learns to respond to "roll" you should always use this term. Only in this way will your pet know what you expect from him. If you say "roll" one time and "turn around" another time, the dog simply won't understand you.
Learning to "roll" command - positive reinforcement
If the dog does something well, it must be praised and rewarded for it. Praise should not be spared in the form of friendly words, patting, or other heartfelt gestures. You can reward its positive learning results with playing, cuddling or your favorite delicacy and it is best to do it immediately after a specific action. If the dog does not cooperate or makes mistakes, it simply does not get the reward because it should learn that there is a relationship between correct behavior and reward. Then you patiently repeat the exercise, accepting that he has not yet fully understood what you expect from him. In addition, if the owner wants the dog to cooperate with him, he must communicate with the dog in a friendly manner. Yelling at a dog and gesturing nervously is counterproductive, and just like punishment should not take place.
The right time and place
You should not start learning your dog immediately after a meal if your four-legged friend is sick, tired, scared or upset. In addition, you should ensure a safe, quiet place to exercise, free of distracting stimuli for your pet. It is worth observing the dog carefully to catch the moment when he is scared, stressed, exhausted or simply training is too complicated for him. In this case, you should stop training or break down the exercises into smaller simplified steps. It is also worth remembering that rest and breaks in training are important to consolidate what your pet has learned.
Respect and mutual trust
Before you start teaching your dog the basics of obedience, then following commands and tricks, you must gain his trust first. And this will not happen overnight. If you help your pet to compensate for deficiencies, provide a sense of security, show how to follow the rules, the training will become more effective. Consequently, if the human-dog relationship is respectful and the four-legged friend knows he is loved, learning to roll becomes easier and takes much less time.
Time to learn the command "roll"
Before you start teaching your student the "roll" command, make sure that he or she has mastered the most important basic commands such as "sit", "down" and "stay". Provide a few treats - such as mini sausages or small workout snacks - so you can motivate and reward your four-legged friend at any time. Start by training in a quiet, peaceful environment with as few distractions as possible (preferably at home or in your own backyard). This will allow you and your dog to fully concentrate on learning. Also remember that your pet needs a flat, fairly large surface to be able to roll.
First step
Summon the dog, give the command "down" / "lie down". The pet should lie down in front of your feet. His front legs should be stretched forward, his head slightly raised (attention is focused on you).
Step two
Crouch down and extend your arm towards your four-legged friend, hold your closed hand for a moment with your favorite treat in front of his nose. Then move the hand with the treat next to the dog's head and hover over the left or right side of his stomach. This movement should be done slowly so that the pet's nose can follow the smell of the treat. With the dog's muzzle near the belly, move your hand over the dog's back and then towards the ground. If the dog wants to continue following the scent, it must first turn its head, then the whole body. It automatically performs a rolling motion. If necessary, use your free hand to help your dog roll.
Important: As soon as your four-legged friend starts to turn, give the "roll" command in a calm and friendly voice. Never say a command sooner or later as your furry pet will not be able to relate the command to the rolling motion.
Step three
After the spin is done, immediately reward your four-legged friend with a treat, verbal praise or other friendly gesture. Then repeat the actions described above two or three more times before taking a short break from training.
Fourth step
If the pet repeated the roll several times, the most difficult obstacle has already been overcome. However, you need to repeat this exercise regularly so that the mentee memorized the "roll" command. Continue training until your furry friend makes the rolling motion only on command, with no hand movements or treats. After that, you can start training in places that are distracting your pet. Just tell your dog to "roll" on the next walk or near the dog's playground. If your pet completes this difficult task without any problems, you can be proud of him and enjoy the time spent together.
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