When we finish working/training I use the cue 'finish' while presenting my open hands, like a blackjack dealer , to show that I don't have any more treats. I've found this to work really well for Ella. My question is, does anyone have a word/action/other method of telling their dog that they're going to start some training? Or do you just get started?
I use "ready to work?" and then do some basic focus exercises to make sure they're switched on before starting full-on training. The focus exercise is easy - C&T for the dog looking at you, throwing the treat away from you, so they have to turn back to look again. Add some simple cues in once they're attentive (still tossing treats away) and then you gauge when they're ready. To start with, this may take a few mini sessions of this - put them on lead with a "game over" (or whatever your cue is that you're not doing anything now) between sets. Keep the sets short. Once you think they're ready, you can start "real" training. These days, I probably don't need to do this focus work anymore, but I still like to do a minute or so, because it's a fun and easy for the dog to start a session.
My Clicker seems to be my cue.Picking up the clicker brings Dexter running ,sat in front of me ,switched on and ready to go.That has just happened for me....i didn't train it....I do the same Emily,just say finish when we are done and show him empty hands...he will follow me looking a bit mournful until he sees me put the clicker away and then he knows we have stopped!
I just get started - any time any where so that Twiglet gets used to following commands in all situations. I don't really do any training with Tatze any more, just everyday life really. Her job is 'excellent big sister' to the pups - and she does it naturally and brilliantly. When I'm training Twiglet in the house Tatze can join in if she wants or gets the same treats for sitting watching. When I'm out and about in town with Twigs, Mr Boogs takes Tatze for long woodland walks - which she loves. .
I use "ready" which used to be "ready to work" - I use this for fun stuff too (eg before I throw a ball or start play on a walk). "Ready" is a very powerful attention getting cue (I have others, of course, which I'll use in different circumstances). If I've said "ready" I always say "finish". In the house "ready" and "finish" is used for clicker training. Outside, they are used to mark a period of time when my dog needs to keep his attention on me - ie it's not free time.
LOL, "Finish" is my word for go poop. Some use it in Obedience for the position the dog should be in when a recall is completed but for that I use Front. I don't have a formal word for starting training but I do say a number of the things others have mentionned above. For instance I do tend to say "ready" when there is going to be a send out action, and "let's go" when we are both moving out together. I was taught a word, FREE, for when an exercise is completed but it doesn't necessarily mean the training session is over, only the one thing we just did.
I did a vid of Charlie's start "ready" and end "finish" cues. In this situation, finish is the same as his "go free" cue (if I wanted him to move but not go do as he pleased, I'd use "release" which doesn't signal the end of training). ready and finish by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr
