Nose training for dogs is a very important part of dog training. A dog’s nose has a lot to tell us about their environment. Dogs who are constantly exposed to scent end up with long and silky hair, while other dogs end up with dry and itchy skin. There is a nose game you can play with your dog that will help you both learn more about your dog and prevent him or her from having a bad nose all the time.
The first tip on nose training for dogs is to make sure you always have long, loose pieces of hair dangling from your dog’s nose and on his or her back. Long pieces of hair will give your dog the best chance to learn how to use the tip of his or her nose to point at things. For example, if your dog wants to lick your arm, the best place to show him or her is on your arm. This is because dogs naturally want to have direct contact with humans in order to mark territory.
The second tip on nose training for dogs is to teach your dog to “do the whistle.” This is actually a basic command that every dog needs to know in order to properly socialize. This is the dog equivalent of pointing with your nose at something. To do the whistle, simply stand beside your dog with your arm out in front, with the tip of your finger pointed in between your dog’s eyes.
You will use this command to quickly tell your dog to stop and stay behind you, turn around, or stop moving in an appropriate direction. The trick to using this command correctly is to remember that your dog is not hearing you talk to him or her through your voice. He or she is only hearing you breathe, so the “breathe” command is exactly like telling them to “stop talking.” The only difference is that instead of saying the word “stop,” you will simply exhale.
The third and final tip on nose training for dogs involves getting your dog to focus on you. To do this, simply move closer to your dog while you are both still walking in the same direction. Make eye contact, hold your dog’s attention for about a second, then release the tension by saying the word above. Repeat this several times, then move away from your dog and begin to walk again in the opposite direction. Try to make sure that the scent of your favorite food stays near your dog when you do this, since dogs will instinctively reach for their favorite food when they hear the word “stay.”
The fourth step on this particular tip includes making sure that your dog’s nose is trained directly. This means that you will need to condition him or her to keep sniffing around for your scent. If your dog has already found his or her favorite scent, don’t worry, this step will not be necessary. However, if your dog is still not interested in the scent of your scent, this is the step you will want to try.
The fifth and final tip on nose training for dogs involves teaching your dog to roll over onto his or her back. This is done by sitting on the edge of a bed or chair and holding your hand above your dog’s head while you place your other hand behind his or her back. Slowly move your hands back to your dog’s neck until his or her neck muscles have already tensed up. Stop the movement after a few seconds and repeat the process. Keep doing this exercise until your dog rolls over onto his or her stomach.
You now have five basic commands that you can teach to your dog using only positive reinforcement. Nose training for dogs is a very important part of dog training. It can make your dog a lot more obedient, which means a lot less messes, and less stress for everyone else in the household. Since all dogs have the need to smell their masters in order to keep their territory clean, using the nose to train them can be extremely effective. As with any dog training technique or product, you should always consult your veterinarian for advice and possible side effects before beginning any new k9 training program.
