Value of using a different language?

[ourlittlegirl]

This may be a dumb question, but I've heard of alot of trainers, and owners using a different language to train their furry friends. Is there any value in this? I was told that this way when you give a command, your pet won't listen to anyone else.. for example if you tell him to sit, and some child comes and tells him to come, he won't move.. I guess as long as your pet is trained well by you is shouldn't matter.. right?

[BostonRott]

Gives my dogs clarity.

"Down" means go lie down, stay out of my way.
"Platz" means drop in a perfect sphinx and do NOT get up until I release you.

German commands for competition, which are ALWAYS held to the same criteria (b/c only I use them, not hubby). English for around the house, with varrying criteria.

[Vivianne]

I see your point with the "Dog-Child" scenario and I debated this same question in my head for a long time too. I chose to stay with only commands in English for a few reasons:

One would be if my dog needed to stay in the care of someone other than myself (like the vet, a kennel or a friend) how would they control my dog if they didn't know the language I used for commands?

Another reason was "what if" she was lost and found her way to the pound. When in unfamiliar surroundings and not listening because of the langauge problem would they treat her harshly to get her to obey.

And yet my third, even more paranoid reason, was what if something happened to me and she needed a new home? How easy would it be for her to find that home only knowing commands in a language other than English?

So, for me, the choice was clear. I see your point of view, and you have valid reasons as well. Good luck with your decision. :)

[samanthac]

I like the German commands better because they are stronger and the dogs get the point that you mean business. I do tend to use English commands around the house though. Except for AUS (let go). AUS is aus and always non-negotiable.

:)

[samanthac]

Originally posted by Vivianne
I see your point with the "Dog-Child" scenario and I debated this same question in my head for a long time too. I chose to stay with only commands in English for a few reasons:

One would be if my dog needed to stay in the care of someone other than myself (like the vet, a kennel or a friend) how would they control my dog if they didn't know the language I used for commands?

Another reason was "what if" she was lost and found her way to the pound. When in unfamiliar surroundings and not listening because of the langauge problem would they treat her harshly to get her to obey.

And yet my third, even more paranoid reason, was what if something happened to me and she needed a new home? How easy would it be for her to find that home only knowing commands in a language other than English?

So, for me, the choice was clear. I see your point of view, and you have valid reasons as well. Good luck with your decision. :)

That is why you teach both!

[kaylynn143]

Originally posted by samanthac
That is why you teach both!

I guess I am confused now. Do you use an English command and a German command for the same thing? Or do you use an English command for some things and a German command for the others? I have been thinking about using German commands too, but I don't want to confuse myself of the dogs.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated!:D

[ourlittlegirl]

thanks everybody for the great insite!!! I think maybe i'll try both.. I have a pup that's rotty 10mo, and a rott mix that's 3yrs.. both respond well to english and are VERY smart.. any idea where i can find german words for different commands:
drop-(lie down)
off
sit
stay
heel
come
release
find
ball
walk
etc..etc..etc

[BostonRott]

Originally posted by kaylynn143
I guess I am confused now. Do you use an English command and a German command for the same thing? Or do you use an English command for some things and a German command for the others? I have been thinking about using German commands too, but I don't want to confuse myself of the dogs.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated!:D

Yep, see the example given in my post.

[Luvs]

Originally posted by ourlittlegirl
thanks everybody for the great insite!!! I think maybe i'll try both.. I have a pup that's rotty 10mo, and a rott mix that's 3yrs.. both respond well to english and are VERY smart.. any idea where i can find german words for different commands:
drop-(lie down)
off
sit
stay
heel
come
release
find
ball
walk
etc..etc..etc

Our puppies are trained in both english and german. When we had rotties years ago we trained them in german only, but when we got Akasha I couldn't remember all the commands so I just used the ones I remembered.
I found a web site that had a list of german commands but I can't find it right now. When I find it I will post it. In the meantime I will try to give you the german commands for some of the words you requested, unfortunately I don't know them all and some may be incorrect. FYI I will probably spell most of them wrong;)

drop-(lie down) = platz
sit= sitz
stay= blibe
heel= fus
come= here
release (or out)= aus
no= nine
bark or speak = geblaut (sp?)
When they have something I don't want them to have I tell them fooey (sp?)
If I remember correctly the command for tracking is suk
I used to know alot more but right now I can't remember them. Some of these may be incorrect, hopefully someone will correct the ones that are wrong for me.:D

[Beckysmom]

If you teach both German and English, what are you doing about the word in German that means stand, I believe, but sounds like Steh-- and the word in English that means not to move, Stay. Or are they actually enough different that the dogs get it?

[BostonRott]

I have no use for "stay" and my dogs never hear the word. Sit means sit until I release you, same for down and stand.

Otherwise, the command should be "sit stay" for those who use stay, because the instant that dog's rear hits theground, and the dog has "sat," the dog should be allowed free, per the "stay" mindset. I sat, now I'm done. It makes no sense to me.

[samanthac]

Originally posted by kaylynn143
I guess I am confused now. Do you use an English command and a German command for the same thing? Or do you use an English command for some things and a German command for the others? I have been thinking about using German commands too, but I don't want to confuse myself of the dogs.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated!:D

I use German commands for training and English commands for around the house. Trust me the dogs know how to diffentiate. And let's face it that we tend to be a little more lax around the house and our dogs tend to have a little more selective hearing then...so by only using the German on the field, they don't learn to ignore the commands.

I know some people who do AKC use English for training and German for home.

[samanthac]

Originally posted by ourlittlegirl
thanks everybody for the great insite!!! I think maybe i'll try both.. I have a pup that's rotty 10mo, and a rott mix that's 3yrs.. both respond well to english and are VERY smart.. any idea where i can find german words for different commands:
drop-(lie down)
off
sit
stay
heel
come
release
find
ball
walk
etc..etc..etc

Try this link. Not only does it have the German words, but when you click on it you also HEAR the pronunciation. There are several languages if you don't want to use German. I just prefer the sound of German and am doing Schutzhund which uses German commands.

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/languag1.htm

[samanthac]

Originally posted by BostonRott
I have no use for "stay" and my dogs never hear the word. Sit means sit until I release you, same for down and stand.

Amen Gretchen. I totally agree with this 100%.

[Beckysmom]

Originally posted by BostonRott
I have no use for "stay" and my dogs never hear the word. Sit means sit until I release you, same for down and stand.

Otherwise, the command should be "sit stay" for those who use stay, because the instant that dog's rear hits theground, and the dog has "sat," the dog should be allowed free, per the "stay" mindset. I sat, now I'm done. It makes no sense to me.

All right, I agree that that is probably better than having to say "sit-stay". but what about stay command alone (or at least that idea)--meaning halt all forward progress. --goegraphical position material, but body posture not. I suppose one might use "wait" or "halt" for such and then not get them confused.... but I am so used to calling out 'stay' that I would probably get confused myself. (for example, dog in one room me in another. someone comes to door. I want dog to stay where he is in terms of the room he's in while I go to door--but do not know or care what his body position is-- I call out "stay" as I go to door to greet person there, odg remains in other room. )