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By Liz O'Connell
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A dog learning to sit when he hears a whistle proved his listening skills were intact when an unexpected noise started going off in the house.
A family has been working on getting their doodle to follow the sit command. But instead of just asking him to sit or putting their hand up, they're training the dog to sit when he hears a whistle. However, in an April 4 Instagram video, the dog hears more than a whistle, and like the good listener he is, he follows suit.
As it turned out, the smoke detector alarm started going off because the batteries were dying. The dog couldn't tell the difference. To his ears, it was another whistle and as he was taught, he sat on command.
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Needing to share the hilarious moment, the dog's parents captured the training on camera and posted it to the Instagram account @jennteuscher on April 4. The caption reads: "He's 100% good boy."
While the dog parents couldn't hold in their laughter, this doodle knew he did as he was told. He looked up at his owner with such pride and his tail wagging. The dog knew he would receive a treat as soon as he sat to the whistle. But when the reward wasn't coming, confusion set in.
The Instagram clip, which received over 2.5 million views and nearly 203,000 likes, had people cracking up while also demanding justice for the dog, claiming he was totally cheated.
"Give him all the treats," said one viewer, while a second commented: "Either change the battery or give him treats!"
Another pointed out: "Love how he checks himself in the mirror. Like, 'I'm sitting right? I'm sitting and these people aren't giving the treats.'"
Someone else wrote what the dog was thinking: "He says, 'Idk whom told me to do it but I did it. Where's my snack??'"
Newsweek reached out to @jennteuscher via Instagram for additional comment.
Tips on Training With Rewards
Dogs are very reward-motivated and will continue to repeat a certain behavior when presented with something of value to them. This is known as positive reinforcement training. While dogs typically value food most for their reward, the American Kennel Club recommends following certain tips to ensure the pups pick up on the training.
Owners should find their dog's hierarchy of rewards. Their rewards could be treats, praise, toys or games. For tougher training challenges, reward them with a higher-ranking option. It's important to determine what they do not like because it could decrease their obedience, as they might associate doing it with something negative.
Timing and the number of rewards can also play a role in the effectiveness. Owners should increase how often they give rewards when competing with other distractions. For example, if an owner wants their dog to walk by their side, one treat every step will compete with sights, sounds and smells they encounter. One treat every 15 steps won't be as effective. It's important to give a treat right away to avoid any confusion.
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