Why teach/train in a different language?

[Ddski5]

So when I had my yellow lab, I would take him to the soccer complex when I trained my daughters and there was always an assclown that would start barking off commands at my lab….sit, down, heel, etc… My lab would look at me confused not knowing what to do.

So when I acquired Dobermans, I trained them both in Cajun French to prevent this. When I would take Ragnar to the soccer fields…yup, there was an assclown that would try barking out obedience commands. That’s a Doberman right there, I bet he is trained, “sit, down, speak, heel…” Rag would look at him like he was stupid and then look at me, I laughed and laughed.

I have been taking Freyja to Tractor Supply and Lowe’s pretty often now and today she performed perfectly.

Went to Lowe’s and was walking around when a staff member came around the corner and said, “that’s a beautiful Doberman right there and looks the part too- so stoic and regal”.

He was kinda standoffish from Freyja so I invited him to pet her and I freed her to do as she pleased. She was wary but allowed him to pet her.

Not 30secs in….he starts with- “sit…down…”. Freyja does nothing but look at him. The guy looked perplexed and asked if Freyja was not trained…she performed so well with me. I told him she was but not in English, she is trained in Cajun French.

He said…is that right? Let’s see…
So I said:
Ahhh-see and Freyja went into sit.
Koosh- and she went into down.
Back to Ahhh-see for her to come to sit and then Ooo-pe-aye for her to come to heel.

The fellow came unglued with joy and admiration. He couldn’t believe she was trained in Cajun French. He ran around the corner and got three of his co-workers clamoring about this Doberman did not understand English but knew commands in Cajun French only.

It was pretty cool to see all of this unfold and I was very proud of Freyja’s performance.

-Notch another positive public display for the Doberman breed.

 

[Ravenbird]

Well done! You'd love to see the French Ring dogs - they usually train with French commands. I'll have to find a video where you can hear the commands - you'd feel right at home!

French Ring - Commands - SOAR ringsport

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www.soarringsport.com

 

[DD4MSpock]

I have always stated that when I get a dobie once again, I will train them in German ("Foose", "Platz","Bleibe,"Sitz") etc. etc. I may also add a couple of words like "Freunde/Freunden" so that when I introduce the dog to neighbors, they know this person is a "friend" and he should extend his paw to shake, etc. I won't teach the word for "attack" ("Pachken" or something like that). But there's also a word (I believe for "Seek" or "Explore") "Furann."
I'll have to research more carefully.

 

[StateOfMine]

We are teaching Flint the very basic commands in English in case we need someone to look after him, but anything beyond "come" "sit" "stay" "down" and "shake" is all German. We combine it with visual cues as well, so actually most of the time we don't even use the verbal commands.

If someone actually tried to give our dog commands that weren't necessary or just to be a problem, myself or my husband would take care of that ourselves. My husband has learned from a very early age that most people are bullies only, and that when confronted, even the toughest looking ones wilt like lillies. For the ones that aren't, he used to box for a few years so he can still handle it.

 

[JanS]

The only other language I sort of know is Finnish and they use a lot more syllables than English. Sit for example is "istua".

 

[Abner’s Dad]

I teach my commands in Spanish- but the advantage this thread highlights is diminishing as it becomes more commonly used.

 

[JanS]

I teach my commands in Spanish- but the advantage this thread highlights is diminishing as it becomes more commonly used.

That's true, depending where you live. I know around here a lot of people speak Finnish so it wouldn't be a huge secret for me. Spanish has gotten to be a really common one almost everywhere.

 

[Kswoodssue]

My husband has secret commands for Sasha. For example, he points his finger at her, says “better not do that” and she goes into a frenzied, teeth bared, lunging play. She loves it and looks like a maniac!

 

[Ravenbird]

All dogs are different in wanting to please a strangers request. Asha won't do anything for anyone except me, my housemate and sometimes a friend I train with that she loves, but still would not do a recall to her. I like it that way, but it's my dogs personality, not training.

Anyone who wants to trial in sports, especially bite sports, should be consistent in language - most have rules that if you command in German the whole routine should be in German. or French or Klingon, or whatever, but you must follow through with it being the same. If someone in Tractor Supply just wanted to say hello to my dog and then said "Sit" to her, I'm afraid they'd just get stared at with zero response. More social dogs are happy to communicate with others and show off their knowledge. Sometimes I miss that, but not too much honestly.

 

[Rits]

or Klingon

please tell me someone has done this

 

[Ravenbird]

please tell me someone has done this

Not that I know of, but I threw that in because I know one person who seriously wanted to for IGP, since any language is allowed as long as it is consistent throughout the routine. Never did it though.