STEM+Fair+ics19DelaAl

General idea: Dog commands

1. Do dogs understand English? 2. Can dogs be bilingual? 3. Will dogs respond to commands only when given awards? 4. **Can you teach an old dog a new trick?**

Hypothesis: If I use the same methods that taught my dog to do new tricks when he was a puppy, then he will do new tricks (high five, dance, and play dead) now even though he is older. = = Procedure for high five trick: 1. Command dog to sit. When he sits, use the clicker, then give him a treat. 2. Repeat step one twice. 3. Say the new command "high five" then tap on his paw. 4. When the dog raises his paw, catch it with your free hand, then use the clicker and give him a treat. 5. Repeat steps 3-4 until the dog automatically raises his paw on command.

Procedure for dancing trick: 1. While your dog is sitting, raise a treat over his head and say the new command "dance" until he stands on his back legs. 2. Slowly move the treat around his head until he spins in a circle. When he finishes, use the clicker then give him a treat. 3. Repeat steps 1-2 as many times as needed until the dog gets in the habit of it. 4. Repeat step 1-2 except this time use a hand gesture while commanding "dance" instead of using a treat. 5. If the dog obeys and dances on command, then use the clicker and give him a treat. 6. Repeat steps 4-5 as many times until the dog learns the command.

Procedure for playing dead: 1. Command dog to sit, then command him to lay down. 2. Rub dog's belly until he rolls over, then gently roll your dog onto his side. 3. Command dog to stay laying on his side. If he stays, use the clicker and give him a treat. 4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the dog automatically lays down when he see's the treat. Once this happens, use the new command "bang" along with hand gestures. 5. Repeat step 4 until the dog relates "bang" and the hand gesture with laying on his side. 6. While your dog is standing, command "bang" with the gestures and see if he will obey. If he obeys, use the clicker and give him a treat. 7. Repeat step 6 until the dog responds on command from a standing position.

Data 1- High Five: Day 1- Fluffy didn't react to the "high five" command and did not lift up his paw. Day 2- I did not do the "high five" command to Fluffy. Day 3- Fluffy lifted up his paw a little bit when I put the treat near his nose, but still no high five. Day 4- Fluffy lifted up his paw constantly, but cannot do a high five yet. Day 5- Fluffy lifts up his paw constantly, he raises his paw faster when you tell him to sit first. Day 6- Fluffy has been peeing every time I say " high five " Day 7- Fluffy is still peeing, we think maybe he thinks high five is to go to the bathroom.

Data 2- High Five: Day 8- Fluffy still can't high five, but when there is a treat he lifts up his paw. Day 9- Fluffy lifts his paw up when shown a treat. Day 10- Fluffy has not been peeing lately when i say " high five "; Fluffy is starting to understand what high five means. Day 11- Fluffy high fives consistently but only when given a treat. Fluffy will not high five if not given a treat, (unlike his old tricks that he can perform with or without a treat). Day 12- Same results as day 11 Day 13- Same results as day 11 Day 14- Same results as day 11

Data 3- Dance: Day 15- Now that Fluffy can pretty much do a high five, I moved on to teaching him how to dance. I put the treat over Fluffy's head and he stood on his back hind legs for a few seconds Day 16- Fluffy can stand on his back hind legs for at least 5 seconds, but he can only turn half way Day 17- Fluffy can stand up for at least 10 seconds and almost turn all the way Day 18- same Day 17 Day 19- Fluffy can stand up and turn all the way, but not consistently Day 20- same as Day 20 Day 21- Fluffy can stand and turn all the way consistently only when shown a treat. He looks like he is "dancing" now.

Data 4- Play dead: Day 22- Now that Fluffy knows how to dance, I am teaching him to play dead. Fluffy could sit but could not roll over. Instead of laying down, he got up when I said "bang" Day 23- same as Day 22 Day 24- same Day 25- same Day 26- same Day 27- Fluffy is making very little progress from Day 22 Day 28- same

Research: A lot of people said that an old dog can learn new tricks, but only if they are easy tricks, involve treats, and a clicker to applaud the old dog. These methods will help the dog learn how to high five, dance, and play dead. The person looked up websites and videos of trainers teaching old dogs new tricks, she said it was interesting to watch.