Tricks
      Back to home
      1. Partners Dogs Knowledge Base
      2. Training
      3. Tricks

      Tell Me A Secret

      How to teach your dog the "tell me a secret" trick

      Tell me a secret trick

      tell me a secret

      Introduction

      The "tell me a secret" trick is a fun and easy way to get your dog to put their paw behind their ear. It is a great way to build your dog's confidence and cooperation. With patience and consistency, most dogs can learn this trick in a few weeks.

      Common Misconceptions

      Some people think that the "tell me a secret" trick is a complicated trick that only advanced dogs can learn. However, this is not the case. The "tell me a secret" trick is a relatively simple trick that most dogs can learn with a little patience and consistency.

      Steps to Address

      Teaching Phase

      • In this phase, the goal is to get your dog to touch your hand with their nose.
        • Start by positioning your dog in front of you.
        • Show them your palm and wait for them to touch your nose.
        • Mark and reward them with a treat each time they do this.
        • Continue practicing this until your dog is consistently touching your hand with their nose.
        • Gradually increase the duration of the nose touch.

      Reinforcing Phase

      • In this phase, the goal is to get your dog to touch your hand with their nose on command.
        • Start by giving the verbal cue "secret" just before you show your dog your palm.
        • Mark and reward them with a treat each time they do this.
        • Continue practicing this until your dog is consistently touching your hand with their nose when you give the cue.
        • Gradually start to move your hand to different locations, such as above your head or next to your torso.
        • Mark and reward your dog each time they touch your hand with their nose, no matter where it is.

      Proofing Phase

      • In this phase, the goal is to get your dog to touch your hand with their nose in different environments and with different distractions.
        • Start by practicing in a quiet environment with few distractions.
        • Gradually start to practice in more distracting environments, such as outside or around other people and animals.
        • Be sure to mark and reward your dog each time they touch your hand with their nose, even if there are distractions.

      Maintenance Phase

      • In this phase, the goal is to keep your dog's "tell me a secret" trick fresh.
        • Be sure to practice the trick regularly, even if it's just for a few minutes each day.
        • You can also try to add some variety to your training sessions, such as practicing the trick with different hand positions or in different environments.

      Case Studies

      Here are some case studies of dogs that have learned to tell you a secret:

      • Sparky, a 1-year-old Golden Retriever, learned to tell you a secret in just a few days. His owner started by introducing him to the cue and then gradually started to reward him for putting his paw behind his ear. Sparky is now able to tell you a secret on command, even when there are other dogs or people around.
      • Daisy, a 7-year-old Beagle, was a little more challenging to teach to tell you a secret. She was not as food-motivated as Sparky, so her owner had to use a lot of praise and positive reinforcement. However, Daisy eventually learned the trick, and she now loves to tell you a secret when she's feeling playful.

      Pet Parent Coaching Tips

      Here are some tips for pet parents who are teaching their dogs to tell you a secret:

      • Be patient and consistent. It may take some time for your dog to learn this trick.
      • Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with treats, praise, or toys when they do the trick correctly.
      • Don't get discouraged. If your dog is not getting it, take a break and try again later.
      • Make sure your dog is comfortable with the cue. Start by saying the cue in a quiet environment and then gradually start to say it in more distracting environments.
      • Be creative. If your dog is not getting the hang of it, try using a different cue or a different hand signal.

      Conclusion

      The "tell me a secret" trick is a fun and easy way to get your dog to put their paw behind their ear. It is a great way to build your dog's confidence and cooperation. With patience and consistency, most dogs can learn this trick in a few weeks.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Q: What if my dog is not food-motivated?
        A: If your dog is not food-motivated, you can try using praise or toys as rewards. You can also try to make the trick more fun and exciting for your dog by adding some variety to your training sessions.
      • Q: What if my dog is not putting their paw behind their ear?
        A: If your dog is not putting their paw behind their ear, start by making the cue easier. For example, you can start by holding your hand out in front of your dog's face and then gradually move your hand behind your ear. You can also try to make the trick more rewarding by giving your dog a bigger treat or a longer playtime.
      • Q: What if my dog is getting distracted?
        A: If your dog is getting distracted, try practicing the trick in a quiet environment with few distractions. You can also try to make the trick more interesting by adding some variety to your training sessions.