Wagging tails are an indicator of mood or temper. Wrong! You can determine some information by observing a dogs tail movement, but don't count on it to tell you about his intent. Some things you'll be able to determine are how comfortable he is with the command or situation he's in. If the tail is kept up underneath, means he's very uncomfortable, nervous, scared. If tail curves around flanks when he's sitting or laying shows he's comfortable. Straight out behind him indicates very comfortable. Sitting on it, with a slight curl at the base, indicates he's in the process of learning something.



Today, you will learn to use and become proficient with the "recall" or "come" command, through the installation of a conditioned reflex. Conditioned reflex can be used to teach any command, but for our purposes at this time, it will only be used for "recall", or "come", as it is not useful in the development of higher learning and thought processes.

Dogs can and do learn and UN-learn anything in four properly conducted repeatings. These four repeatings can be carried out in four different places with four different settings. For example when your dog hears a new command, he has no idea what is being asked of him. The second time, he begins to understand. The third time, he completely understands, but dogs being dogs, he is going to resist. This is called a learning plateau.

Learning plateaus require a few moments to sort and file information, not unlike your computer. I get easily frustrated with these computers, because unlike humans and animals, I expect a command to be followed immediately. Even at the speed of light, commands need to be sorted out to go to memory. Just like when your computer asks, "do you really want to delete this file," your dog does the same. This happens usually on the third request, or instance, of trying to teach or break a behavior.

So, when your dog thinks about the new behavior being learned or unlearned, praise (non-physical praise) and patience, are required during the few moments it takes to correctly file this new information. However, once again, although your dog may fully understand what you are trying to accomplish now that you've demonstrated this behavior three times, means he's going to try to go against your desire! His job is to oppose you. He needs to think things out during the third request. This moment requires praise, regardless of what the dog is thinking.

He's going to ponder the idea, then glance at you. Back to the idea, now thinking of you. Then think about the idea, then think about you. Follow his thinking, and re-enforce it with praise. Non physical praise only.

You cannot second-guess what he might be thinking at this time. Presume nothing. Allow his choice to dictate your next move. Chances are, he's going to continue one last try at having his own way.

There are only two things he can do. He's either going to do it the way you want, for which you'll continue praise, or, he's going to do it the wrong way, and you'll praise him until you are sure he got it wrong. You'll perform the correct way to strengthen the desired behavior you really want.