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The SneezeJanuary 1, 2006 Lesson #1: The "Sneeze" [ Return to Top ]
Did you realise that your dog lets you know when he or she thinks something is funny?
Dogs sneeze in response to happy (fun) stimuli or events....in fact, you might consider it a 'canine giggle'.....for example; Your dog might greet you at the door upon your homecoming with a series of excited sneezes and snorts, or if you laugh with, or speak humourously to your dog he or she will react with a sneeze in return for your efforts.
Often, when you begin training or playing with your dog, he will react in a similar way and it is possible to refine the action of his/her sneezing with a command that will turn this innate repsonse into a 'trick' that your canine buddy can delight in displaying to impress friends or for acting work.....
The Process
Step 1- Find out what it is that makes your dog 'laugh' (sneeze). e.g: This might be, your speaking it`s name in a silly (excitedly-funny) voice.
Most dogs will automatically sneeze at you when you start trying to get them to do something following a period of not paying attention to them.
Get some treat tidbits, and approach your dog. Kneel down in front of your dog (leaning back slightly so as not to appear in any way dominant or threatening) and then say "Sneeze", and immediately make a sneezing sound yourself.....Stay totally still, with the little tidbit clutched at your chest. Wait.....Then, pretend to sneeze again, and wait.....(don`t feel too silly!).
When your dog blows any air from it`s nose, whether it`s a full or partial sneeze or not; go crazy with praise and give him or her the treat.
Then, do it all over again......remembering, that to get a full blown sneeze from your dog, you MUST reward any attempt to sneeze at all!
You may feel silly doing all this, but your dog doesn`t realise, to begin-with, that you want him/her to 'laugh' at you.....so, make it clear to your dog that you are being 'silly' and that the appropriate response to your "Sneeze" command (and your evidently silly sneezing-action) is for him/her to 'laugh' at you, and join in the fun.
Practice step 1 over and over.
Stop and return to it the next day, remember the command is always; "Sneeze"....most dogs will sneeze ALONG WITH YOU, so remember to say the command, and immediately fake a sneeze yourself.....always giving verbal-praise and the tidbit-treat, the instant that ANY air blows out of the dog`s nostrils......
Important Reminder in Training
Never forget to issue an instantaneous treat and heaps of verbal praise, and soon the dog will associate your command, the treat and the reward (and most importantly the 'Fun' of it all) and you`ll have that sneeze upon command.