We’ve all seen people do it. And, let’s be honest … We’ve all done it. Repeat commands, hoping it’ll work. Generally, it just erodes the word’s power. So much so that Patricia McConnell included a section subhead in one of the chapters of her books called something like … “Don’t repeat commands. Don’t repeat commands. Don’t repeat commands.” That still cracks me up. But, it is important to know what words we use with our dogs and what we expect them to mean. Enter the Command Log.
To avoid the repetition trap (as much as I can), I’ve taken to waiting and waiting for Lilly to respond to a command. I know she hears me, so I wait. If the wait drags on, then I usually add a very exaggerated shrug, with my arms out wide. Often that’s enough to say, “Do it already!.” This works, most of the time.
If I have to, I preface the repeat with “Try again.”
Sadly, I haven’t broken Tom’s habit of repeating commands. I often hear him going, “Sit … Sit … Sit … Sit.” I tell him to stop, but it’s a hard habit to break.
Liz Durfee, one of our agility trainers at Biscuit Eaters in Boulder, recommends keeping a command log. Until now, I had not done that, but in the interest of public service, I created an Excel file, with all of Lilly’s various words. Since many of those words are likely similar to ones you use, I’m posting the file here so that you can open it and save it for yourself (if I do it right) and then revise it for your dog(s).
Command Log
Oh, and a quick word on the use of the word “command.” I know that some consider it inappropriate, like a domineering kind of thing. Personally, it doesn’t bother me, but in case it bugs you, the file uses “Verbal Cue” and “Physical Cue” as column headers.
So have at it. It’s a good exercise (and a work in progress) to see just how confusing we might be to our dogs. I’m realizing already that there are words I use that I forgot to include.
I also noticed that many of Lilly’s words have no deliberate physical cue attached to them. I’m sure I do things that she associates with certain words, but that’s more bad body awareness on my part than deliberate dog training. Maybe that can be the title of my first agility book (ha!) … The Accidental Training Guide to Agility.
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