ahoops Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 We have been teaching our dogs to read.Now dont laugh too hard ,its true.Well actually they are not technically reading", they are learning to recognize different shapes of words and letters mean different things. So far Gypsy knows "sit", "drop", "stand" and "paw". It is done using flashcards and, in the beginning you cue the word and reward the dog when they do it. After a while they start looking at the card and perform the move.It takes quite a bit of patience but its really fun when the dogs get it right. Apparently it is the same way they teach assistance dogs to recognize signs such as "exit", "stop" "go" etc Its a great way to show off in front of family and friends.Kids absolutey love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooky Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Now, thats what I was talking about on the word recognition thread. What a smart crew you have! I may have to appropriate this idea; *how cool*. We already have multiple choice tests, this could be more like an essay section. Especially if he starts offering down-rollover-sit-spinleft-spinright-down in frustration at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 That's just awesome! Can you capture it on video, I would love to see it!!! Ouzo, better sharpen your pencils, here I come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Well actually they are not technically reading", they are learning to recognize different shapes of words and letters mean different things. Sounds like early reading instruction to me! When I was a kid, kids in other places (not liberal Massachusetts) who moved into my town sometimes had gotten some other kind of reading instruction rather than phonics. They had learned to recognize entire words: "sit" as a word, rather than as the S-I-and-T sounds combined phonetically. Some of my teachers used to comment on how strange it was to teach kids who had never learned phonics. Sounds like your dogs are on their way to being those kids! I've gotta try this. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvlucy Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 before my oldest started school, he had a coloring book with the names of the colors to clor the picture printed in. he couldn.t read the colors so i printed the names on the back cover of the book and put the color in crayon beside it. he was able then to follow the colors in the book. maybe this could be used to teach the dogs the names of colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 That is FUN! I would also love to see a video of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbear Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 OK, I bought this book: because, well, I'm a little weird, and I clearly have a skewed view about my abilities as a dog trainer. I made up the flash cards, found a quiet spot where Wick and I could focus, and tried to teach the damn dog to read. She first high-fived the card, then she stared sadly at it, and finally she left the room. Bear wasn't much better, though perhaps I should have got him reading glasses as he is old. Lou, poor thing, lashed his tail wildly at the one-on-one attention during his session, but showed no comprehension whatsoever. I am very nervous for their upcoming SATs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 When I was a kid, kids in other places (not liberal Massachusetts) who moved into my town sometimes had gotten some other kind of reading instruction rather than phonics. They had learned to recognize entire words: "sit" as a word, rather than as the S-I-and-T sounds combined phonetically. Some of my teachers used to comment on how strange it was to teach kids who had never learned phonics. I happen to be one of those non-phonics taught kids & as I am sure many people have noticed in my posts, it has made me the worst speller on the planet! Thank you for the idea....this sounds like a fun activity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 I am very nervous for their upcoming SATs. Don't worry. I get email everyday that offers me a PhD for everyone in my family for the low package price of $39.95. I'll forward it to you. Much less stressful than taking all those tests anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Don't worry. I get email everyday that offers me a PhD for everyone in my family for the low package price of $39.95. I'll forward it to you. Much less stressful than taking all those tests anyway. I get e-mail for Viagra everyday. Won't help me much! Won't help Usher! I think the flash cards are amazing. I've done it with my kids and grand kids, why not a border collie. They say they have the intelligence of a 5 year old. WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahoops Posted August 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 I did say it takes ALOT of patience and some days are definitely better than others ,will try to get video of it soon (on a good day) hahaha, no it seriously looks amazing when they get it .Obviously the only ones in the group who seem to really get it or the borders, not that i have to tell you that! It works really well with a clicker but that takes some serious juggling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted August 15, 2008 Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Curious here: How big are the flash cards you use? How big is the print? (I'm seeing a dangerous future for us.) Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahoops Posted August 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 Curious here: How big are the flash cards you use? How big is the print? (I'm seeing a dangerous future for us.) Mary Probably 2 inches or thereabouts doesnt matter I wouldnt think.A nice lady has laminated ours so they are stiff when you bring them around, I think the book AirBear shows is the book my friend got the idea from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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