I just learned the difference between these two today, so I thought I'd write a post about it.
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My 70lb, 25in tall, 5ft long Dane/Shepherd Cross can curl up into a tight ball that is 1/3 his regular size. And he does this multiple times a day, every day. The Ideal "Tuck". We started with something he knew on his own, added a command to overlay on the action when he did it himself, created a place where he had no choice but to tuck, and then added the command in front of the action. Below is the full breakdown. Why is Tuck an Important Command for a Service Dog to Have?Part of being a service dog means being invisible in public. Large breeds that aid people with mobility have a tendency to sprawl when they lay down. Sometimes, that is ok. Other times, though, there may not be enough space under a table or beside a chair for them to ooze everywhere. Teaching them to 'tuck' (or a word of your choice) helps teach them to make themselves smaller so that they can fit in places of all sizes. Also, it helps protect them from getting stepped on by people walking innocently past. Many dogs do this action on their own as a way to keep warm & snuggle down into wherever they are laying. The size of the tuck depends on the dog. Robbie can tuck to 1/3 his size, but we are ok with him being a little looser than that, as shown in the photo above. Not a perfect ball, but he is curled up in a space about 21"x21". And no, this is not cruel. We do not ask him to stay in this position for long stretches of time. He was not forced into this space, he jumped in willingly & tucked himself in.
I am blown away by how much Robbie has learned in just 9 months and 15 days. I am amazed at how much I have learned as well, and grown as a trainer. We both have a long way to go still, but the work we have already accomplished and the bond we have forged is incredible. Accomplishments:
Advice to Those Starting OutYou WILL have days where you want to give up. That's ok. But stick with it, because it will pay off. Every fall, every bad day, every pull on the leash, every day that you question if you're making the right decisions - it pays off. And things improve as the dog grows up too. More things start to fall in place, and stay there!
On the bad days, play games with your partner. Part of being a good trainer is knowing when to push & when to step back. Learn to recognize if you aren't in a good mindset for training, and have that be a game day or a bonding day. Go for a long walk together. Work on something that boosts your dog's confidence & yours! |
My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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