How to teach your dog the "CPR" trick
Introduction
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique that can be used to restart a person's heart if they have stopped breathing. While it is not yet possible to teach dogs to perform CPR on humans, there are some dogs who have been trained to perform CPR on other dogs.
Related Lessons:
- Kiss
Common Misconceptions
Some people think that only certain breeds of dogs can be trained to perform CPR. However, any dog can be trained to do this, regardless of their breed or size.
Steps to Address
Teaching Phase:
- Phase 1: Teaching the "Bounce"
- Find a very padded jacket or pillow then lie down on your back with your knees up and feet on the floor. Place the pillow on your chest to protect it from impact.
- Lure your dog's two front paws onto your chest. Mark and reward.
- Extend your arm up, pointing up, to lure your dog up so that his front paws are in the air. When he lands with his front paws on your chest, mark and reward.
- Phase 2: Teaching the "Kiss"
- Show your dog the back of your hand and mark and reward when his nose touches it.
Reinforcing Phase:
- Phase 1: "Bounce"
- Once your dog is successfully bouncing off your chest 80-90% of the time with minimal reinforcement or lures, you can start giving a verbal cue "bounce" just before he's about to bounce, mark and reward the moment he completes the bounce.
- Phase 2: "Kiss"
- Once your dog is successfully touching the back of your hand 80-90% of the time with minimal reinforcement or lures, you can start giving a verbal cue "kiss" just before he's about to touch it. Mark and reward the moment he touches it.
- Put your hand against your mouth and cue "Kiss"
- Remove your hand from your mouth eventually and depend on the verbal instruction instead.
- Combine "Bounce" and "Kiss" to create the full CPR routine!
Proofing Phase:
- Start practicing "cpr" around other environments with more energy and distraction. Add distance and duration gradually over time.
Maintenance Phase:
- Consistently practice cpr in every obedience session, reinforcing variably over time upon completions. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.
Case Studies
There are a few case studies of dogs who have been trained to perform CPR on other dogs. One such case is that of a dog named Bear. Bear was a service dog who was trained to perform CPR on his owner, who had a heart condition. Bear was able to save his owner's life on several occasions.
Pet Parent Coaching Tips
If you are interested in teaching your dog to perform CPR on other dogs, it is important to work with a professional dog trainer. They will be able to teach you the proper techniques and help you ensure that your dog is safe.
Conclusion
While it is not yet possible to teach dogs to perform CPR on humans, there are some dogs who have been trained to perform CPR on other dogs. If you are interested in teaching your dog this life-saving skill, it is important to work with a professional dog trainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can any dog be trained to perform CPR?
A: Yes, any dog can be trained to perform CPR, regardless of their breed or size.
- Q: How long does it take to train a dog to perform CPR?
A: It can take several weeks or months to train a dog to perform CPR. The amount of time it takes will depend on the dog's individual learning style and the training methods used.
- Q: How much does it cost to train a dog to perform CPR?
A: The cost of training a dog to perform CPR will vary depending on the dog trainer and the location of the training. However, it is typically a few hundred dollars.