Week 2 Luring Changes (1) sits during walking (2) sit stay still and circle (3) Let's Go (4) attention to name (5) Down (6) Leave It

Exercise 1 Changes to Sit During Walking:

Main Change: Now we are giving treats every fourth sit instead of every sit, and we are training an auto sit. 

 The Goal: 3 sets of 4 in a row.

STEP 1:  Have the food reward ready in your hand.

STEP 2:  Begin walking with your puppy.

STEP 3:  After a few steps, stop as you give the command "sit."
STEP 4A:  If your puppy does sit, give the word marker "yes".

NOTE: FOOD REWARD AFTER THE FOURTH ONE IN A ROW.  IF THAT IS DIFFICULT, YOU CAN START WITH EVERY OTHER SIT.

STEP 4B:   If your puppy does not sit, there are a few ways to fix that.

1. You can lure with food over the head and nose, but then you should give the food reward.
2. You can tug the leash a little bit.
3. Spatial pressure is when you walk towards a puppy, and that will sometimes make them sit.
4. You can mold them into position.

STEP 5:  Repeat

Exercise 2 Still Sit Stay and Circle Sit Stay:

Main Change:  Still Sit Stays can be 30 seconds.  Circle Sit Stays can be 30 seconds.  Just remember to work at a lower time, like 10 or 20 seconds first.  If your puppy is breaking too much as you go up, you could (1) reduce the goal duration or (2) just mark that off as the goal wasn't reached, especially if you are at the 10 to 15 minute session end.

The Goal: Four in a row of whatever time you are working, eventually for 30 seconds.

NOTE:  I USUALLY WARM UP WITH THE STILL SIT STAYS.

STEP 1:  Have food ready in your hand.
STEP 2:  Walk with your puppy a few steps.

STEP 3:  Then stop as you give the command "sit".

STEP 4:  Use your marker word "good."

STEP 5:  Your leash should not be tight.  You want it to be a J shape before the next step.

STEP 6A:  Then make a close circle around your dog for the amount of time or circles you are working on.  You can use your marker word "good" as you do this, because that means good job, and keep going.  It can also prevent a puppy from getting up.

STEP 6B:  If the dog or puppy has much trouble with you going around, you can hold the leash straight up like a rod with slight pressure on the dog or puppy.   Attempt a complete circle around the dog, staying only inches away from your dog.  You can even start with quarter circles rather than a full circle around the dog at first.   Some very young puppies or fearful dogs are very distracted and/or nervous by a human walking behind them.
STEP 7:  If the dog or puppy attempts to get up, there are a couple of ways to save the command.   By "save" I mean that the puppy does not get their bottom all the way up or their but lifts up a little but immediately goes back on the floor.

1. You can step towards them using spatial pressure, and that might stop the puppy's but from coming up.
2. You can use your marker word "no" and that may stop them. 

STEP 8:  When your puppy remains in a sit for the duration, use your marker word "good".

STEP 9:  Then wait a beat to be sure the puppy understands the difference between the marker words.

STEP 10: Then give the marker word "yes" as you give the food reward.
STEP 11:  Repeat

Exercise 3 Let's Go:

Main Change:  You can work this inside with the leash dropped.  However, if you find there are too many escape options or enticing distractions, then use the long line.  You could also have your puppy drag the long line so you can easily step on it or go to the end of the leash (not the puppy) and pick up the handle.  

Goal:  3 sets of 4 in a row

STEP 1:  Let the puppy drag their leash.  At the end of a stationary command, you can drop their leash and walk away, OR you can let the puppy wander around on their own.  Note that end of a stationary command, you do need to release your puppy with the "yes" marker word as you give the food reward.
STEP 2:   Have the food reward ready in your hand.
STEP 3:   Let your puppy get a little distracted. or not paying attention to you. 
STEP 4:  Give the command "let's go".

STEP 5A:  If your puppy starts towards you, encourage with the marker word "good" until they are arm's length away.

STEP 5B: If your puppy does not start towards you OR veers away from you, you can use the following strategies.  Avoid returning all the way to them if at all possible (this may teach them to go away from you when you start forward).

1. Make a funny noise, and if that gets their attention, encourage them to come towards you, then use the "good" marker word to encourage them.
2. Make a funny noise and do a jog back to draw them in, then use the "good" marker word to encourage them.
3. If absolutely necessary, go to the end of the leash to the handle (not towards the puppy) get a little distance, try the "let's go" command again, and then give a light tug if the puppy does not come towards. Then use the "good" marker word to encourage them towards you.
4. If you are holding the end of the leash, you can use the funny noise, and you can also lightly tug the leash if necessary.  Then use the "good" marker word to encourage them towards you.

STEP 6:  When your puppy is in an arm's leash, give them the marker word yes as you give them the food reward.
STEP 5:  Repeat

Exercise 4 Attention to Name:

Main Change:  Work this in with other commands while the handler is standing.  For instance, I have been doing "Let's Go" and then "Attention to Name" after a food reward for "Let's Go."  You could also work this in with your sit reps while walking, but give a food reward after every "Attention to Name."

Goal:  If not working after another command, then 3 sets of 4 in a row.  NOTE:  To do this, it might be best to work another command 4 times in a row and then this command 4 times in a row.

STEP 1:  Use this after commands like let's go, sit, release from send to place , and release from circle place.
STEP 2:   Be sure you are prepared with kibble in your hand  BEFORE giving a command.
STEP 3:  Pick up your puppy's leash if necessary.

STEP 4:  Say your puppy's name.
STEP 4A:   Give the puppy 10 seconds to respond and then immediately, upon your dog looking into your face (and not glancing immediately away), say your release word "yes" and deliver the food reward.
STEP 4B:   If they do not look to you, first try saying their name again.   Give them a few seconds in between so you aren't just rapidly firing off their name.   If they are just really enamored of something other than you, you could try to gently tug on their leash and see if they will turn.   You could also try to make a silly noise after you say their name.   Usually, though, once they know what the deal is with the food reward, it does not take more than three times to get them to look at you. Say your release word "yes" and deliver the food reward.
STEP 5:  Repeat

Exercise 5 Down:

Main Change:  This is getting worked so the handler will eventually be upright when giving this command.

Goal:  Is to get 4 in a row at whatever height you are at (ankle, below the knee, above the knee, thigh, and so on) easily.  Then start increasing the height.

STEP 1:  Have the food reward ready in your hand.
STEP 2:  While standing straight up (but when your puppy is close), give the "down" command AS you bend from the waist to lure the dog down with the treat.
STEP 3A:  In the beginning, you will bend and stop when your hand with the food reward is at a position (ankle, below the knee, above the knee, at the thigh, and so on).   There will come a point when the puppy goes to the floor before you can get your hand all the way down.  WAIT IT OUT WITH YOUR HAND STILL FOR A BIT TO GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO THINK. 

STEP 3B: If your puppy does not go down, you can lure your hand down to the floor again.

STEP 4:  When your puppy goes all the way down, give the word "good."
STEP 5:   Wait a second, and then give the marker word "yes" as you also give the food reward.

STEP 6:  Repeat

Exercise 6 Leave It:

Maine Change:  Now your hand is open when you present the food.

Goal:  To just work it, but if you start getting four in a row, then work towards the eventual goal of 3 sets of 4 in a row.

STEP 1:  First, have your puppy on their slip leash so they do not wander off. 

STEP 2: Take a food reward and put it in your closed fist. 

STEP 3:  Present your OPEN HAND with the food to the dog, but close to them, but not all the way up to their nose. 

STEP 4: Say “leave it”.  If they are at your hand, do not snatch your hand away; instead, close your hand.  Snatching your hand away ends up having the dog go after your hand in an unpleasant way later on. 

STEP 5: Once they leave your hand alone, say the release word, “Yes," as you let them take the food reward.

STEP 6: Repeat