Week 2 Place Work

 EXERCISE 1: SEND TO PLACE

Main Change:  Sending your puppy from further away.

STEP 1:  You still have a leash and collar on your dog.   The place (board, mat, dog bed) item is in the middle of the room so you can walk around it, and use all sides to place your dog (so that they do not generalize).
STEP 2:   Now, as you approach the place, stop about a foot away.  (You will be increasing the distance away slowly.)
STEP 3A:  If your puppy goes tonto the place object, then use your marker word "good" as you return to them.  Be sure, once there, that all four of their paws are on it.
STEP 3B:  If your dog does not make it onto the place themselves, use the collar lead and your body language (IE, nudge in the direction) to help your dog to the place mat.   Be sure, once there, that all four of their paws are on it.   If paws are sticking out beyond the border, just place your feet near them.   If they try to walk off and you catch them early, you can normally just move towards them quickly, and they will walk back onto the place area. 
STEP 4:  When you are back to your puppy, give the marker word "yes" as you give the food reward.
STEP 5:  Repeat.

EXERCISE 2: CIRCLE PLACE

Main Change:  Dropping the leash and making wider circles.

Add to the above directions for send to place, but now you are concentrating on circle place.

STEP 6:  Give your puppy the "place" command.
STEP 7:  Now give your dog the marker word "good"
STEP 7:  Drop the leash and circle your dog from about 2-3' away. For whatever time you are working at so you can easily get 4 in a row.
STEP 8A:  If your dog is successful, return to your dog.  Then give them the marker word "yes" as you deliver the food reward.
STEP 8B  If your puppy manages to step off the place with any of their 4 paws, you need to reset the time.  Also consider reducing the circle and time if your puppy is breaking a lot.  Then give them the marker word "yes" as you deliver the food reward.
STEP 9:  Repeat.

EXERCISE 3:  LONG PLACE

Main Changes:  Dropping the leash and sitting further away.   Also, now practicing this for 30 minutes.

TEP 1: Walk to the place, point as you say "place" from the last distance practiced, OR if you are at the end of your circle, place repetitions, you can use your marker word "good" and walk away.  

STEP 2A:   If your puppy goes to the place, use your marker word "good" as you drop the leash and walk away.

STEP 2B:   If your dog does not walk on the place themselves, then you need to use the protocols in the "send to place" directions.  You can use the verbal marker "no" if you would like first.  Then correct the dog via body bump or leash tug, until they are on the place.  

STEP 3:  Be alert and ready to stop your dog from walking off. The most common ways are:

  1. Using the marker word "no". Your puppy will probably need more experience before this starts to work with them, stepping onto the place.
  2. The most effective is spatial pressure and body bumps. So that you walk directly to your puppy when they put a foot out or get all the way off the place. Then, body bumps or herding your puppy is the best way to go.
  3. Stepping on the leash, picking it up, and walking your puppy back onto the place object.

STEP 4A: After 30 minutes, return to your dog, and use the release word "yes."

STEP 4B: If your puppy happens to have a paw out of the object or is off the place, then walk away and sit down for at least one minute. This is to prevent the puppy from thinking they can decide when to leave the place.


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