Border Collie Rescue - On Line - Universal Commands - Bed
Universal Commands - Bed
The "Bed" command.
In Border Collie Rescue all verbal commands used are accompanied by hand signals which serve
to emphasise and compliment the instruction.
This is of great benefit when training deaf dogs, dogs with learning difficulties and dogs with short attentions spans.
Back to - Universal Commands menu page
This is of great benefit when training deaf dogs, dogs with learning difficulties and dogs with short attentions spans.
Back to - Universal Commands menu page
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| Point
to dogs bed - this should not be used as a punishment. |
| The command
'bed' is frequently used to emphasise displeasure and as a form of punishment. This is really misuse of the command as it may induce a reluctance to comply. Sending a dog to its bed should be applied when it is required that the dog be out from underfoot and should be associated with a reward so the dog is happy to go straight there on command. The reward should be praise but not a treat during normal daytime use of the command. This is a useful command if you change the location of the dogs bed or if you are visiting or on holiday with the dog and its bed is placed in unfamiliar surroundings. The bed should be a dogs private place, sanctuary and 'home from home' and when placed in its new location, the command used to reassure the dog that all is OK and their is nothing to fear. Praise on compliance but no treats. At the end of each day it is useful to emphasise to the dog that it is now time to sleep. The ritual use of the command 'bed' at this point will be associated with a long period of time in bed. The use of a late night biscuit, given at the same time as the command will ensure the dog looks forward to bedtime and hearing the command. This is why it is important that a treat is only used in conjunction with this command at the end of the day. If treats are used frequently in training a dog to any command it will begin to perform the commands in expectation of a reward. It will be more focused on getting a reward than on the command or the person giving the command. Some dog owners have told us that they will allow their dog to sleep on their bed or where it likes and they do not provide a bed for the dog as they think it unfair to make the dog sleep only in one particular place. Inadvertently, this attitude will serve to confuse a dog by depriving it of one of its primary 'doggy' requirements - a place of its own - its den. Kindness can be cruel sometimes. |
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If you are interested in adopting a Border Collie from us, please phone 0845 604 4941 during office hours.
(2 pm to 5 pm Tuesdays to Thursdays)