Puppy Miat (a Maltese) Begins Learning Basic Commands (Sit, Lie, Stand)
by Clifford Vincent Arrow
August 2008
Finally, I can directly use some concepts from basic school-learned psychology in the real (albeit doggy) world: classical or Pavlovian conditioning and operant conditioning. With classical conditioning, I can influence how Miat associates certain situations. For example, I can guide Miat to associate meeting other dogs as a "happy time" by giving him a doggy treat at the moment (a possible tool I could have during my PetSmart trip with Miat.) With operant conditioning, I can guide Miat in obeying commands by giving him a treat for certain actions to words or visual cues.
Sit, Lie, Stand
At 11 weeks of age, puppy Miat (a Maltese) is growing fast and is ready to begin learning commands. I start with the commands "sit" and "lie," but quickly add the command "stand" after observing Miat having a knack for it. Also, his bladder control is much improved and goes less often than before. He has (almost) learned that puppy training pads are for going potty. I am using the command "poo-pee" every time I see Miat using his training pad (followed by a treat.) I hope to make him respond to the potty command "poo-pee" eventually.
Puppy Miat Learns to Obey the Sit Command
Good boy, Miat!
Miat's first lesson in commands is "sit." This one is not too hard. Our puppy had natural tendency to sit if I held his attention with a treat in front of him, but out of his reach, and just waited him out. When he did sit after I gave the command, I smiled, nodded my head, and gave him the treat. He quickly picked this lesson up.
Additionally, after a suggestion from one of my dog books, I also decided for Miat to have Miat sit as his "default" position. For example, I would wait until he sat before I letting him out of his crate or filling his food bowl. I think defining a calm, default position helpful in doggy etiquette.
Puppy Miat Learns to Obey the Lie Command
Introducing the second command "lie" to Miat's list of commands turned out to be a tad bit harder for Miat. At 11 weeks of age, he often confuses the sit and lie command. But he readily adapts his command response by switching to sitting from lying (or vice-versa) until he gets a nod of approval. Audial skills are one of the relatively less important sensory inputs. Cesar Milan often says (see Cesar's Way) that the order of importance for a dog's senses order is in descending order: (1) smell, (2) sight, and (3) hearing.
Puppy Miat Learns the Stand Command
The "stand" command was a bonus for me. Around 11 weeks of age, I noticed that Miat had a knack and liking for standing on his hind legs (amazingly for up to 5-10 seconds) when he was really interested in a treat. So at the same time I was teaching Miat to sit and lie, I snuck the "stand" command in. This command was fairly simple for Miat since he naturally often assumed it. If I raise my arms quickly and excitedly say "stand" with treat in hand, Miat is usually quick to accommodate my wish.
Reward-based Puppy Training
Miat loves treats. He likes virtually everything from peanut-based doggy treats to doggy biscuits to a very small sampling of leftover rice and chicken, as shown here, courtesy of PF Chang's most excellent Kung Pao Chicken.