Dogs thrive with routine and predictability in their life, which is why training rituals can be beneficial. Rituals are predictable for dogs because they are based on repetitions. Dogs like to know what to expect during training and what behaviors to show during different training events. Rituals can help establish a routine your dog is familiar with.
So, how do training rituals help your dog learn? This article has the answers for you.
How Does It Work?
A training ritual is a repetitive routine or cue that is established to communicate with your dog. Once the ritual is established, it can be repeated to signal different training events at any time. It provides dogs with structure and consistency so that training can be predictable and make them feel confident. Dogs learn best when they feel confident, and a training ritual can help achieve this. Making the training fun and engaging for your dog is the key to a training ritual working well. At the end of the training, you can also “release” them with a key word, which lets them know their time is their own again.
Dog training rituals can be used to signal the start or end of training using cues. This is important for canine sports or competitions as dogs need to know when to perform. The cues could be phrases such as “Let’s start training” or “Stop training” that dogs have been trained to respond with the appropriate behaviors following each cue. You don’t need to use these specific cues for training rituals and can adjust the wording to your liking. However, it’s important to keep the cues short and consistent so it is easy for your dog to understand.
You don’t necessarily need to use a verbal cue to signal the start of training, as dogs can easily associate a certain location with the start of training. You could also create a training ritual in a specific location where your dog usually trains or needs to perform for competitions. Taking your dog to a specific tree in the garden could be a signal they associate with the start of training. You don’t even need to give any verbal cues for them to make the association.
Some dogs can associate accessories with the start of a training session or ritual too. This could be a collar they usually only wear when training and when you put it on, you signal to them that training has begun.
What Are the Different Types of Dog Training Rituals?
1. Starting Training Rituals
This type of dog training ritual involves giving your dog cues to signal the start of training. It can either be a verbal or environmental cue, such as a specific location or accessory. However, you will first need to help them learn what your cues mean and what behavior you expect from the cues.
For example, if you take your dog to the backyard after breakfast to train every day, you have created a training ritual that signals to your dog the beginning of training.
2. Ending Training Rituals
This is a cue to signal the end of training and it can be verbal or environmental. If you were to start your dog training session by saying, “Let’s start training”, your dog will know it is time to train and give you their focus. When you say, “Stop training”, you signal that training is over and they can relax. Another way to signal the end of training is to call your dog to you and place their leash on them.
Over time, they will associate their leash as a signal that training has ended.
3. Competition Training Rituals
Training rituals are important for dogs in competitions or canine sports. You will need to give them a cue, so they know when to perform and when to stop and return to you. This can be done using cues that signal the start and end of training rituals.
4. Routine Training Rituals
Dogs enjoy routine and it helps them feel more comfortable and secure. If certain daily activities lead up to your dog’s training session, your dog can associate the repetitions with the start of training. For example, if your dog eats breakfast and gets a brush right before training, then they anticipate training to follow as part of the routine.
The training ritual could also begin at a specific time your dog associates with training.