How to Teach Your Dog to Find a Person or Pet

Training your dog to find a specific person or another pet is not only fun but can prove to be really useful. You may even like this 'game' so much that you could decide to join up with a local search and rescue group and learn to take a talented dog to new heights.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Clicker
• Dog Treats

1. Invest in a clicker. You can find these in pet supply catalogs, pet shops and on many different dog websites. There are many varieties. If you can test them out, get the loudest one as you may be working in large open spaces.

2. Give your dog a command such as "Go find Amy!" When your dog goes towards her and stops to look at you as if to ask for direction or approval, click and reward with a treat even though the task was only partially completed.

3. At some point, you will need to repeat the command "Go find Amy!" when they turn to ask for direction or approval so they don't get stuck on going only part way. If your dog makes more progress in the training and stops as if to ask you a question, click and give treat.

4. Keep repeating this and making it harder for your dog to get the treat until he goes all the way to finding 'Amy', whomever Amy is in your situation. Get especially excited like your dog hit the jackpot button on the silly human toy, click and treat.

5. You may wish to push this a bit further and get your dog to bark and stay put once he's found 'Amy' until you come to him. Dog training can be a lot of fun. Use patience and take larger tasks like this and break it up into stages.

Tips & Warnings

• Always end your training session on a good note. This will keep them anxious for the next dog training exercise.
• Daily practice works best for this training.
• Dog obedience and even Canine Good Citizen training are always recommended for the early training before adding dog training such as this to your dog's list of abilities.
• Never end any dog training session with a scolding or failed attempt. Throw out something easy for your dog to do if you have to, but always end on a good note.

Resources

• Homemade Liver Treats Recipe - The perfect treat for dog training

[HowardBThiname]

on 7/19/2009 Five stars. Great article on dog tracking.

[showpup]

on 7/13/2009 That's a good point, botticelli728. It would also be great for those with family members who have Alzheimers.

[botticelli728]

on 7/12/2009 What a great idea, especially for people who have little kids. 5*