Week 4 Addition to Luring Practice (1) Teaching to Relieve Leash Tension (2) Circle Sit Stay Leash Dropped w Very Wide Circles

 First, we are practicing the following exercises at other times:

  1. Sits can be practiced while heeling or during an outside walk.
  2. "Attention to Name" be practiced while heeling or before "Let's Go."  
  3. "Leave It" remains the same for now.
  4. "Down" can now be practiced in regular luring sessions or play train sessions.
(NEW) RELIEVING TENSION ON THE LEASH:

Purpose:  To teach the puppy how to relieve leash tension themselves, especially on the 6' leash.

Goal:  Just initially practice it INSIDE.  This is not ready for the outside yet.

STEP 1:  Have the food reward ready in your hand that is not going to put tension on the leash.

STEP 2:  If your puppy is standing to your left, put light tension on the leash to your right (and vice versa).

STEP 3A: If your puppy starts walking in the direction of the tension, use the marker word "good" until they get to the food reward hand and release the leash tension.

STEP 3B: If your puppy does not walk in the direction of the tension, try to wait it out by just keeping the tension on the leash.  If that becomes a hindrance, you can step away from the puppy to see if that works. When the puppy moves in the direction wanted, then use the marker word "good" until they get to the food reward hand and release the leash tension.

STEP 4:  When your puppy gets to the food reward hand, use the marker word "yes" as you present the food reward.

STEP 5:  Repeat.




CIRCLE SIT STAYS:

Change:  The circles are now much wider than the width of the room.

Goal:  4 in a row at 30 seconds.

Main Change:  The circle is now much wider and is being worked so that the handler can hug the walls or outside space while walking around in a circle.

Goal:  To get four in a row for 30 seconds with large circles.

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:  Drop the leash on the ground.

STEP 6A:  Then walk around your dog in a circle.  

REMEMBER IF THIS STARTS OUT DIFFICULT AT HOME, YOU CAN MAKE THE CIRCLE SMALLER AGAIN AND THEN WORK IT BACK OUT.

STEP 6B:  If the dog or puppy has much trouble with you going around, you can reduce the duration AND/OR the circle width.

REMEMBER THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS THAT THE PUPPY CAN PERFORM 4 IN A ROW.  THERE WILL BE GOOD DAYS AND HARDER DAYS.  WE ALWAYS WANT THE PUPPY TO END SUCCESSFULLY.

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.
  3. If they successfully move themselves away from where you left them, then bring them back to the same place you left 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




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