Magic Word

Shaz82

Shaz82

Location
Essex, U.K.
Something occurred to me this morning, not very pleasant but I am being practical here.

Maisy's 'magic word' is 'Granny'. Don't ask me why but she goes crazy for my mother-in-law (none of us knows why).
It used to be 'cheese' but I found she responded so much better to the G word when we used it - 'Granny's coming round' etc. she perks up and races to the window to see, or pulls like crazy when going to see her.

So I have got her out of some sticky scrapes by shouting 'Granny' at the top of my voice in the middle of the park.

But Granny is getting on and one day won't be here.
Would it be cruel to keep using that word with Maisy as she would expect to see her, do dogs remember people like that and get sad because they are not there?

In all honesty I don't think I could use it, I would have to change it, I wouldn't like to see her sad that Granny is not really there.
And over time the effect of the word would probably lessen if it can't be reinforced every now and then. I've probably answered my own question.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Hmmm....tbh I am not too sure on this one! Using the word "Granny" is very much me using the word "Brian" for Benson. Brian is my dad, and Benson just adores him! Saying that word will get him out of bed faster than sausage. :). So, in my mind, the motivation is actually "Brian" appearing, and taking him out for a walk. :)

We also have a magic word..well phrase. This evolved out of a game, very much like the scatter game @snowbunny uses. "Lost, lost Lost" is our emergency cue. It means that the most delicious food is going to be raining down from above onto the ground. It was meant for Casper..to get his down on the ground, and interested in hunting. This is for when one treat won't cut it, mainly because if there is a trigger, I need a bit more headspace or real-time than one treat can offer. So "lost, lost, lost" works in a positive way, and gives me a few seconds to help manage a situation in an emergency. Lost, lost, lost also means the reward is going to happen close to me. So I can clip on lead quickly and without fuss. Sometimes, a few seconds is all Casper needs to reconnect with me and the nearby environment, rather than something in the distance, or one of his random head farts he has. The other difference between "lost, lost, lost" and other cues, is that I give it twice..so initially they all run back, heads down. THEN I repeat..the second time is slower and interspersed with calming sounds/praise from me.

So the reinforcer for "Brian" is Brian appearing and taking Benson out for a special walk. :)

The reinforcer for "Lost, lost, lost" is scrumptious food. This emergency cue is also easy to reinforce. I take chunks of roast chicken or lamb (still warm..) even pizza once. Then use the cue in a low distraction area. The effect is immediate! Wowzers!!! For me, it is important to keep that cue strong by reinforcing regularly. If we look at the bank account analogy for me it works well. So, by preparing fab high-value treats, I am putting money into the bank account. Occasionally I have used the magic cue without heavily reinforcing, I haven't topped up my treat bag with those high value treats, or run out. So that's a withdrawal. Too many withdrawals and the effect of the cue diminishes. So if I apply this to using Brian frequently, one day Benson will simply ignore me, because Brian didn't arrive.

Sorry, if this is a bit waffly! Just my kack-handed way of doing things :)
 
Shaz82

Shaz82

Location
Essex, U.K.
Beanwood said:
Sorry, if this is a bit waffly! Just my kack-handed way of doing things :)
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It's ok, I get it. We see Granny several times a week and when I say the word it is the promise of Granny appearing either from us visiting her or vice versa. Then Maisy goes ballistic because she wants to see Granny herself and so if I shout 'Where's Granny' to get her attention in the park she immediately comes to me expecting to see the old gal, she's looking all over the place then she starts running for home (her house is on the way). It is then only a day or so before we see her again so the word is constantly being reinforced.

But I may have to start again with a high value treat (warm scrummy food) and different word.
 
Boogie

Boogie

Moderator
Location
Manchester UK
It’s a good question.

Michael is Zaba’s Daddy and the word ‘Michael’ has the same effect on him as your ‘Granny’ does for Maisy.

My son is also called Michael so he sometimes hears the word - unintentionally by us. He goes loopy but it doesn’t last. He soon recovers and stops looking.

So if it’s kept as an emergency Magic Word I wouldn’t worry. I would just use other reinforcers with the same word, or maybe a similar one. (Fanny? :p:ROFLMAO:)

:)
 
Plum's mum

Plum's mum

Location
East Sussex
I don't have a magic word but recently I was talking to my son and (don't know in relation to what) I said "and it cost £700!" I said it with expression and animation (probably disbelief) and Plum responded with great excitement, I guess to the tone in my voice. Thereafter, I could say "£700!" and she'd get all bouncy, smiley and excited! It's worn off a bit now and just gets a flick of the tail. 😊
 
M

MaccieD

Charlie said:
I haven't trained a "magic" word as I keep forgetting, but I thought it was supposed to be a word you wouldn't ordinarily use in every day life so is unfamiliar to your dog to start with?:confused: x
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Absolutely @Charlie. The 'magic' word shouldn't be one that you frequently use as you want it as your emergency recall and it means come to me immediately (for a huge reward 😊) - not run towards me, then past looking for someone else. You should use it sparingly, all other 'recalls' should be your usual signal trained against distractions. The word should be one that has a 'happy' sound - my magic word was 'Bingo' , not a word that comes into my every day conversations 😀
 
Shaz82

Shaz82

Location
Essex, U.K.
Charlie said:
I haven't trained a "magic" word as I keep forgetting, but I thought it was supposed to be a word you wouldn't ordinarily use in every day life so is unfamiliar to your dog to start with?:confused: x
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We don't use it at all, only to tell Maisy when we are going to see Granny.

Between ourselves we say 'your mum', or her name or the old woman etc.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Jacqui-S said:
Oddly, my "magic" word which has got me out of a couple of potential scrapes is just the word "sit", but bellowed "SIT!!!!!!" with an associated raised arm. There may be reasons it doesn't qualify for a true magic word but best I have.
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This was true for me with Brogan, too. The only time I really needed it, he'd gone off into the fog on a beach because he'd heard a firecracker. Once he heard a firecracker, he poor brain just leaked out his ears. It was bad luck that that time it happened when he was offleash in an area with low visibility. He wasn't coming when called, just kept going - very out of character for him. I don't know why I thought to do it, but I yelled "SIT!" at the top of my lungs and he just sat down where he was, right in the surf. Gave me time to catch up with him and leash him. Scared the life out of me!
 
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