calliecritturs
Posted : 10/23/2009 11:05:23 PM
Most of my commands are common words or "me" in origin. In formal working obedience, I always start with "are you ready to work?" -- and when I've reinforced a long sit (which in itself is difficult sometimes) I use an enthusiastic "Come to MOMMY!" an there's never any dawdling.
Always the name plus "come" or I get all of them.
this isn't recall but it's typical of me. When I get to the vet because *I* am so slow, I often have to tell them **before** we get out of the car "NO potty -- cos you gotta DONATE when we get in there!" Then when I get a tech with a pan there, I will say "Ok -- time to donate!"
Yes, I do TO say that!!
Yesterday, Billy had to go to the vet and I was pretty sure there was bloodwork and a urinalysis in his future so i told him in the car he couldn't go "because you gotta DONATE". And yep -- Dr. B wanted a sample, and sent the tech in -- I told her "When you get outside be *ready* and tell him he's gotta 'donate' and he'll go straight off for you."
She looked at me like I was insane ... but came in about 2 minutes later with a FULL pan and laughed "HE KNOWS THAT WORD!!!"
Yeah -- he does. And he also knows on the way in that he CAN'T go **because** there's a walk with you in his future.
Cracked her up.
But my point is -- I usually try to make commands like that something I can say with enthusiasm AND something not commonly said. A little fun never hurts.