Avoiding these common mistakes can make the process of teaching your dog to use AIC buttons smoother and more successful. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to helping your dog learn to communicate effectively. Remember, patience and positive reinforcement are key!
1. Inconsistent Button Usage
- Mistake: Not modeling the buttons consistently.
- Solution: Model often! Press the buttons yourself in context to show the dog how and when to use them and encourage everyone in the household to do the same.
2. Not Rewarding your Learner
- Mistake: Failing to acknowledge your pup while they are using the buttons leading to a lack of motivation.
- Solution: Followthrough to reward & reinforce button communication.
3. Inconsistent Button Placement
- Mistake: Moving the buttons around frequently, confusing your dog.
- Solution: Keep the buttons in a consistent location to help your dog have a chance to remember where the words they want to use are.
4. Ignoring Your Pup’s Signals
- Mistake: Not paying attention to the dog’s attempts to communicate, leading to missed learning opportunities. A lot of dogs will want their humans attention before they start pressing.
- Solution: Stay alert to your dog’s body language & behavior and respond when they try to use the buttons.
5. Not Making the Buttons Fun
- Mistake: Treating buttons as a chore, which makes it less enjoyable for your dog.
- Solution: Incorporate play and fun into the training sessions to keep your dog engaged and happy.
6. Giving Up Too Soon
- Mistake: Stopping buttons because progress seems slow, missing out on the benefits of AIC.
- Solution: Stay committed to the modeling process, as it can take weeks or even months for some dogs to fully grasp the concept.
7. Lack of Patience
- Mistake: Expecting immediate results and getting frustrated when your dog doesn’t catch on quickly.
- Solution: Be patient and understand that learning AIC takes time. Celebrate small victories along the way.
