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      Play Dead

      How to teach your dog the "play dead" trick

      Play dead trick

      Play Dead trick

      Introduction

      The play dead trick is a fun and easy trick that you can teach your dog. It is a great way to get your dog's attention and to teach them to be calm and relaxed.

      Common Misconceptions

      • Misconception: You need to use aversive methods, such as punishment, to teach your dog to play dead.
      • Fact: You can teach your dog to play dead using positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise.
      • Misconception: Once your dog knows the "play dead" trick, they will always do it.
      • Fact: Even dogs who know the "play dead" trick may sometimes not want to do it, especially if they are tired or uncomfortable.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase:

      1. Have your dog lie down in front of you.
      2. Lure his head to his shoulder with a treat.
      3. Once your dog rolls onto his side, mark and reward.
      4. Repeat this step several times until your dog is consistently rolling onto his side when you lure his head to his shoulder.
      5. Start using your finger as the lure instead of a treat if your dog is comfortable being on his side. This will help in the phase-out of a treat.

      Reinforcing Phase:

      1. Once your dog is successfully offering the behavior 80-90% of the time with minimal reinforcement or lures, you can start giving a verbal cue "bang!" or "play dead" before he's about to roll over onto his side.
      2. Mark and reward the moment he's on his side.

      Proofing Phase:

      1. Start practicing "play dead" or "bang" around other environments with more energy and distraction.
      2. Add distance and duration gradually over time.

      Maintenance Phase:

      1. Consistently practice play dead in every obedience session, reinforcing variably over time upon completions.
      2. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.

      Case Studies

      Here are a few case studies of dogs who have learned to play dead:

      • Case Study 1: A golden retriever named Buddy was taught to play dead by his owner. Buddy's owner started by teaching him the "down" command. Once Buddy knew the "down" command, his owner started to cover his eyes with his hand. When Buddy stayed in the down position with his eyes covered, his owner would say the "play dead" command and give him a treat. Buddy quickly learned to play dead on command.
      • Case Study 2: A German shepherd named Daisy was taught to play dead by her trainer. Daisy's trainer used positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, to teach her the trick. Daisy was very motivated by treats, so she quickly learned to play dead on command.
      • Case Study 3: A chihuahua named Taco was taught to play dead by his owner. Taco's owner started by teaching him the "down" command. Once Taco knew the "down" command, his owner started to cover his eyes with his hand. When Taco stayed in the down position with his eyes covered, his owner would say the "play dead" command and give him a treat. Taco was a little bit more challenging to train than the other dogs, but with patience and consistency, he eventually learned to play dead on command.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      Here are a few tips for pet parents who are trying to teach their dogs to play dead:

      • Use positive reinforcement methods: Use treats and praise to reward your dog for good behavior. This will help them learn that playing dead is a fun and rewarding experience.
      • Be patient and consistent: It may take some time for your dog to learn how to play dead. Be patient and consistent with your training, and your dog will eventually get it.
      • Break the behavior down into small steps: Don't try to teach your dog to play dead all at once. Break the behavior down into small steps, and start with the easiest step first.
      • Practice in different environments: Once your dog is consistently playing dead in one environment, start practicing in different environments. This will help them learn to generalize the behavior.

      Conclusion

      Teaching your dog to play dead can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your dog. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog this trick in no time.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: How long does it take to teach a dog to play dead?
        A: It depends on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn the trick in a few weeks, while others may take months or even years.
      • Q: What if my dog doesn't want to play dead?
        A: If your dog doesn't want to play dead, try making the process more fun for them. You can add some treats or toys to make it more appealing. You can also try playing a game with your dog where they have to play dead in order to get a treat.