Week 5
Complete
I hope all is going really well with your training so far! Here are the concepts we'll be learning, behaviors we'll be teaching, etc. this week:
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​​​Hopefully by now you've had a chance to read ALL the handouts!
If you don’t have all of them already, return to the main course page (click the button below) and scroll down to the downloads. It'll open in a new window so you won't lose your place here.​​​​
4:58
10:03
13:22
28:23 Total
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Paws Up
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Wait / Threshold Manners
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Leash Walking “Stage 3”
1. Paws Up
Complete
Description
Teaching your dog to put his/her front feet up on an object is not only something most dogs enjoy learning, you’ll be surprised at how useful it can be!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Key points / Tips
Lure your dog to the object you want him/her to stand on. If he/she doesn’t put his/her paws on it immediately, that’s okay! Use successive approximation – reward each little step in the right direction. You may need to start by rewarding the dog for looking at it, then for going near it, then for putting a paw on it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Problem solving
If you just can’t seem to lure your dog onto the object, try lifting his/her paw and placing the paw on it. Mark and reward IMMEDIATELY!
If the dog is too skeptical of the object, just have it nearby, (very) gradually moving it closer and closer to him/her. Just get the dog comfortable being near it at first.
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2. Wait / Threshold Manners
Complete
Description
It is so important that our dogs learn not to dash out doors or gates! Teaching your dog to sit and wait or at least pause and wait before you even open a door or a gate really helps ensure their safety.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Key points / Tips
I like to use the word “wait” rather than stay when I teach this behavior. The difference when it comes to the dogs I train is that stay means the dog stays put and I go away, where wait means to stay momentarily and we’ll move off together.
If your dog already knows “stay”, start with that. Once the dog starts learning the behavior of waiting at the door or gate, then change the command to “wait”.
Problem solving
If your dog rushes to the door/gate, start quite a ways back and ask the dog to sit almost as soon as you start walking toward the door/gate. Start up again, asking the dog to sit every two feet as you get closer to the door/gate. If you start having trouble 4 feet from the door/gate, for example, don’t start up again once you’re 6 feet from it. Turn around, walk away, and start over. Let the dog learn that just because he/she is walking toward the door/gate, it doesn’t mean he/she is going to get to go out. Work your way closer to the door/gate with your dog very gradually.
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3. Leash Walking “Stage 3”
Complete
Description
Now you’ve gotten to the point where you’re walking your dog outside and might not have a wall or something to turn into to help prevent the dog from getting ahead.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Key points / Tips
Randomly reward the dog just for being next to you.
Make sure your dog is staying engaged with you.
Start “crazy walking” – make a lot of sudden turns – 90’ turns, 180’ turns – both directions. The dog needs to start learning he/she needs to be accountable for where he/she is and needs to watch your legs!
Make sure the dog doesn’t get away with crossing over in front of you. He/she needs to stay on one side or the other.
Using a trash can, a cart, a bicycle, etc. can be super helpful.
Don’t worry if the dog isn’t “heeling” – just make sure he/she is not pulling on the leash – and, whatever you do, don’t jerk on the leash!
Problem solving
If your dog is still getting ahead of you, your timing is off. You need to turn into the dog so that he/she runs into your leg as you turn around.
If your dog isn’t staying engaged with you, try running backwards. They usually really enjoy that!
If your dog is crossing over in front of you, use your leg to swing in and discourage the dog.
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