Page 5 - Nov/Dec 21 Kind News

How did For example,
Chaser to teach Chaser
the name of her
learn so favorite ball, he
many said, “Chaser, this is

names? “Catch Blue,” and when she did, he said, “Good
Blue.” He told her to

It helped that girl!” He’d use the name over and over as they
her breed, border played. When she got tired, he would take her to
collie, is known the farm where she was born to run with the sheep,
for keeping track or let her play frisbee. After learning many toy
of large numbers of names, he could ask Chaser to “Find Blue,” and she
sheep in a flock. But it would retrieve it.
was the bond with her “It’s simple,” says Bianchi, who founded The
guardian, Dr. John W. Pilley, Chaser Initiative to teach children about Dr. Pilley
that made Chaser a world record-breaker. and Chaser’s story. “Learning should always be
“What was unique about their bond was that fun. If it’s not fun, it’s going to be harder. Praise
my father paid attention to Chaser,” says Pilley is so important for dogs to feel good about
Bianchi, Dr. Pilley’s daughter, “to what she themselves and be more confident.”
liked, what she didn’t like. They had Bianchi says that any dog can
that unique connection because he learn words like Chaser did. Her
was with her so much and also advice? “You get what you give.
such a willing playmate for her If you’re excited, they’re going
despite his age.” to be excited, too. Pay
Dr. Pilley was 76 when he attention to what your dog
left page: john pilley. right page, from top: dana cubbage; jane sobel klonsky; sebastien micke;
got Chaser as a puppy. As a likes and make the toys fun.
psychologist, or scientist who They’re just objects on the
studies behavior, he used a lot of floor until you do that."
praise, play, and repetition to
teach her things.

You Can Do It, Too!

How can you teach a dog words like Dr. Pilley did?
Ingrid Quigg Norris, Executive Director of Education

all photos courtesy of the chaser initiative. for The Chaser Initiative, gives her top tips: kick it, or chase it until your dog starts

2. Name & Praise. Give the
3. Play. Throw the toy up in the air,
1. Find. Choose

object a name (example:
one object that your dog
likes. “It can be a toy, a stick,
Squeaky). Say to your dog,
playing with you. “Some fetch, some
catch, some tug,” says Norris. Find
or a pinecone,” Norris says.
“This is Squeaky.” Throw the
what your dog likes to do and keep
Clear out other toys so your
object. When your dog starts
dog cannot confuse the
to chase it, praise him. Say,
using the object’s name. Say, “Get
object with others.
“Yes” or “Good dog.”
Squeaky [insert your dog’s name]!”
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