How to teach a dog to give?

During the days when we are with dogs, we often desire to establish deeper communication and interaction with them. Teaching dogs the command of "give" not only makes it easier for us to manage dogs in daily life, but also is a wonderful journey to deepen the emotional bond between humans and dogs. ​

When we decide to teach dogs to "give", we must first understand that this is not a behavior that dogs are born to understand. Dogs live in their own perceptual world, and they need our patient guidance to understand our intentions. This is like opening a door to a new field, and we are the gentle key. At the beginning, dogs may have no concept of the word "give", so we should not be anxious and start this teaching with a heart full of love and tolerance. ​

The first step in training is to choose the right training props. Usually, toys or snacks that dogs like are good choices. For example, prepare a small ball that dogs usually love or their favorite jerky. These items can greatly stimulate the dog's interest and become a powerful tool to guide it to understand the "give" command. When we pick up these props, the dog's attention will be immediately attracted, and his eyes will be full of anticipation. This is a good start for training. ​

Next, we need to make the dog understand the connection between "give" and putting down the object. First, hand the toy or snack to the dog's mouth and let it hold it naturally. Then, say "give" in a gentle but firm tone, while gently holding the dog's mouth and slowly applying a little pressure, but be careful not to hurt it. This action will make the dog feel that the closure of its mouth is somewhat restricted, and it may unconsciously let go of the things in its mouth while trying to adjust. Once the dog lets go, we should immediately give enthusiastic praise, such as saying "good job" in a cheerful tone, and give it a small snack as a reward. This immediate reward is very important, which allows the dog to quickly associate the command "give" with letting go of the object and getting a reward. In this process, our voice and expression should be full of encouragement, so that the dog can feel our recognition and love for its behavior.

Repeating this step is the key. Over and over again, let the dog pick up the object, give the "give" command, help it release it and give it a reward. As the number of repetitions increases, the dog will gradually become familiar with this process and understand the meaning of "give". But be aware that dogs learn at different speeds. Some may master it quickly, while others require more time and patience. Just as every child has his or her own unique learning rhythm, so do dogs. We cannot show impatience because the dog learns slowly. Every training is an opportunity for us to deepen emotional communication with the dog. ​

During the training process, we also need to pay attention to the dog's emotional state. If the dog shows tension or resistance during training, we must stop immediately and soothe its emotions. It may be that our actions are too tough, or the training time is too long and makes the dog feel tired. At this time, we can hug it, talk to it softly, and give it some gentle touches to make it feel safe and comfortable again. Wait until the dog's emotions calm down before continuing training. Because only in a relaxed and happy atmosphere can dogs learn better.​

When the dog can perform the "give" command relatively stably in simple scenarios, we can gradually increase the difficulty and complexity of the training. For example, issue the "give" command when the dog is playing happily, or train in an environment with other distracting factors. This can help the dog truly integrate this command into various life scenarios and improve its obedience and responsiveness. In this process, the dog may be distracted by external interference and forget the "give" command. At this time, we should not reprimand it harshly, but redirect it and strengthen the connection between the command and the behavior again. Because reprimanding will only make the dog confused and afraid, which is not conducive to the training. ​

Teaching the dog "give" is not only a skill teaching, but also an emotional transmission. During the training process, we build a deeper trust and understanding with the dog. The dog will understand that obeying our instructions can make us happy, and our happiness will make it feel satisfied and happy. This kind of emotional interaction will make the dog more dependent on us and make us cherish every moment with the dog.​

When we see that dogs can put down the things in their mouths without hesitation at any time after hearing the "give" command, we will feel extremely relieved and proud. This not only means that the dog has learned a useful skill, but also means that the communication between us and the dog has become smoother and more effective. In the days to come, whether it is taking back the dog's toys when playing, or making it spit out dangerous objects when it accidentally eats them, the "give" command will play an important role. ​

Every training with a dog is an exchange of love. In this process, we witness the growth and progress of the dog, and the dog becomes more well-behaved and sensible under our care.