DISTANCE: Level 2

DISTANCE: Level Two

Feed, feed, feed around the pole

This is your initial "explanation"

 Step 1 Stand very close to a pole, or whatever you choose to use.

(Set up your training situation)

 Step 2 Maneuver your dog so that he's in front of you, on your left.

(Get your dog into the proper position)

Sharon places the plunger and checks out her position:

trainer faces the object

object is slightly to her right

 Step 3 Rapid-Fire five treats into his mouth. Turn a smidge so you're handing treats AROUND the pole. Put each treat right into his mouth.

Sharon begins teaching Molly to go around the pole in both directions

right from the start!

 Step 4 Now, instead of putting each treat in his mouth, stop just short of his mouth so he has to walk around the pole one small step at a time to get it. When he is around the pole, Rapid-Fire another five treats.

 Step 5 Start Again, only now Rapid-Fire three. Turn and make him come a step or two around the pole to get the next one. Help him around the pole ten times.

Jan turns and then waits and Nad goes around the plunger on his own!

He needs more reinforcement when he reaches the other side

for him "to be sure" and Jan can add the click to reinforce the behavior.

No cue yet, though.

 Step 6 Start him out, turn, and wait to see if he goes around the pole by himself. Rapid-Fire another five treats.

(Here is where we added the click).

(We began joining the cue with the click when she is VOLUNTEERING the behavior).

a. If he doesn't, go back to the beginning and re-teach.

Cut down your body language and the lure as soon as possible.

STEPS: Distance: Level 2: Adding a Cue

 Step 7 Once he understands he has to go around the pole, gradually add distance by stepping back. (Using Chutes and Ladders moving inches at a time.)

 Step 8 When she can go around a pole, a stool and a laundry basket you're ready to try a walker.

Remember that when you change anything about a behavior – like changing the object she has to go around – you have to make everything simpler, so go back to the beginning, stop using your cue, and build her back up through volunteering to the cue again.

Balboa Park Mentoring Group