Dogs and Gaelic

[Wompet]

After being without a dog for a year and a half, I feel it's time for me to have another in my life. And, coincidentally, there's an Irish wolfhound mix at a local shelter that I like the look of.

Being the contrary (controlling?) person that I am, I don't want a dog that will respond to everybody. So I'm considering teaching him to respond to commands in ... Gaelic.
Would the Gaelic speaking members of the Rabble be able to help me out here with some basic phrases? "Sit", "Stay", "Down", "Come (here)", "Get _", "No!" are the sort of things I have in mind. Irish or Scots Gaelic doesn't matter, though I suppose with a Wolfhound mix Irish would be slightly more appropriate.

One last thing - since he'll be beginning a new life, a new name may be appropriate. Are there any Gaelic homophones for "Rudy" (I thought I would start with names that sound similar to the one he already has)?

Thanks

[Chas]

I am probably wrong, but I thought that it wasn't the words but the tone that conveyed the meaning to the dog - "Good Boy" and "Stupid Boy" both sound the same to a dog.

Regards

Chas

[TheKiltedWonder]

I don't know all of them, not being fluent, but I can help somewhat.

In Irish:
"Suigh!" = sit!
"Fan!" (my apologies to any Swedes reading this...) = wait!
"suis" means down, but I don't know if it can be used in that manner; somehow I'm guessing it can't.
"No!" = No idea. Irish doesn't have yes or no the way english does, so I'm sure a native speaker can help you better.

As for something similar sounding to Rudy there's the word for "things": rudaí. Not sure how a dog would feel about being called multiple unspecified objects though.

[Standard]

I am probably wrong, but I thought that it wasn't the words but the tone that conveyed the meaning to the dog - "Good Boy" and "Stupid Boy" both sound the same to a dog.

Regards

Chas

I think this is the one you were refering to.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Gingerjpg.jpg

[macwilkin]

I am probably wrong, but I thought that it wasn't the words but the tone that conveyed the meaning to the dog - "Good Boy" and "Stupid Boy" both sound the same to a dog.

Regards

Chas

Sorry, I know this is totally OT, but when I read "stupid boy" I immediately thought of Pte. Pike from Dad's Army.

T.

[beloitpiper]

http://members.tripod.com/~scotgaelic/Dog.html

[The Barry]

Maybe I'm way off here, but wouldn't this tactic be much more effective if you started with a puppy?

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

Maybe I'm way off here, but wouldn't this tactic be much more effective if you started with a puppy?

Not necessarily. You can train a dog of any age commands if you know how to do it properly, just in this case it will be in a different language . Our local police department trains it's dogs using foreign languages so criminal can‘t call them off.

Wompet-Good luck with the new dog. Giving a shelter dog a new start is a wonderful thing to do!
Sara

[thescot]

I taught a dog in German commands one time for the very reason that you mentioned; I didn't want just any Tom, Dick, or Harry giving him commands. Especially once I learned to have him deficate on command in the proper place!

Actually, tone of voice is important, but dogs do understand a few words when you reinforce the learning. My dog clearly knows the difference between her name and the grandchildrens' names for sure. And if I call her name, even when not speaking to her, she knows it and signals by wagging her tail.

Good luck on the training. Keep us posted.

BTW, it doesn't really matter what word you use, just be consistent. The Gaelic for sing would work as well as the word for sit. Just pick one out and be consistent. I used to use schnel when it was time for my Lab to releave himself.

[acstoon]

Dogs can be trained at any age.
Both of our boys (Deutsche Wusshund, and English Mastiff) were rescue dogs.
By nature, dogs are intelligent, and cling to a pack social order. They very much want to please the pack leader (you). If the owner asserts him/herself as the strong leader, the dogs will feel more secure & confident, making learning much easier. Through repetition, they will learn, usually rather quickly.

I taught our boys to respond not only to verbal commands, but also hand gestures. Comes in handy, when I am in situations where I do not wish to raise my voice, to command them.