What is the default behavior

Teaching your dog the necessary commands makes life with a pet much easier. However, one team will not go far. It is unlikely that you will like, for example, the whole walk to command “Next!”, Because without this the dog pulls the leash and jumps on passers-by. The default behavior comes to the rescue.

Default behaviors are those actions of the dog that it demonstrates in certain situations without a command. But, of course, at first the dog needs to be taught and trained in different conditions, at first in simple ones, then gradually increase the level of difficulty. After all, in order to demonstrate this behavior, the dog needs to learn to control his actions and know exactly what behavior is required of him – without your explicit prompting.

What could be the default behavior?

1. When we put a bowl of food, the dog sits still until the permission command (and does not knock this very bowl out of our hands in order to quickly get a serving).
2. If the dog wants something (for example, to run to another dog or chase crows), he does not break off the leash, but turns around and looks at you. And you already decide whether to pass by or let your four-legged friend have fun.
3. If during the walk we stop, the dog comes and sits in front of us. This will help both to teach the dog to walk on a sagging leash, and to independently switch attention from the irritant to the owner.

Of course, you can create default behaviors that are convenient for you, and not be limited to the above. For example, to teach the dog to sit down when you open the door, and not to leave the entrance until the permission command. Or sit down in your place when guests come to you, and not jump on them, expressing stormy delight. And so on and so forth. Limitations are the physical and intellectual capabilities of your dog and your imagination.

You can teach your dog default behavior just like any other skill. For example, actively reinforcing the actions we need when the dog himself suggested them. Or using hover. And here Premak’s principle can come to the rescue: “If you want to get what you want, do what I need.”

The default behavior is good for all dogs, but essential for excitable ones.