This is your 12th training lesson.
Your 6th Lesson in Intermediate Obedience
This week we introduce the Down out of Play and the Recall out of Play. This is the beginning of our play obedience exercises. Now that our dogs know the basics of the skills we expect from them we can begin to introduce these from the play state.
Our dogs have two states in obedience, one is the control state in which we are performing the skills and they know that they are to be in control of themselves. And we have the play state, which up till now we have let the dog choose the activity.
We are now taking the dog from an excited play state and quickly moving to an obedience state with either the down or recall exercise.
Review all prior techniques. Focus on your dog paying attention and making eye contact. Practice the sit out of motion and down out of motion techniques. Practice down/stand. Use treats, as necessary. Make sure elbows hit the ground first.
This week, as in the previous weeks, we will continue to review all the skills and seek peak performance from your dog.
Continue to perform all the skills you have learned up to this point. Create a warm up routine that includes every skill. This routine should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Skills are developed by repetition. Repeat each skill 4 to 6 times to ensure patterns are being set.
Stand and Down Have the dog the in the neutral position. With the leash in the left hand and the treat in the right (show the dog the food), command the dog to "Stand" and when he responds, give him the treat. Quickly command the dog "Down" by placing another treat about two inches behind his front paws. Praise. Repeat several times, making sure that the dog's elbows hit the ground first. (push ups)
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Down on a Recall This recall is done back on the leash, so we can control the down. From the sit/stay, or down/stay position leave your dog. Stand in front facing the dog. Do a Recall by running backward, hold the leash in left hand, when he is 18-24 inches from you, stop, raise your right hand to motion down, command "Down". To correct, snap leash with the left hand, command "Down" as you place your right hand on the place where the leash and collar meet and gently push down and toward the dog. Once your dog is down, command "Stay" and quickly walk out to the end of the leash.
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Down Out of Play From the sit/stay position, release the dog by giving the command "Play". Run forward with your dog about 5 steps, then run backwards for about 5 steps. Again run forward with your dog about 5 steps, then run backwards for about 5 steps. Then perform your 'down on a recall' move by running backward, hold the leash in left hand, when he is 18-24 inches from you, stop, raise your right hand to motion down, command "Down". To correct, snap leash with the left hand, command "Down" as you place your right hand on the place where the leash and collar meet and gently push down and toward the dog. Once your dog is down, command "Stay" and quickly walk out to the end of the leash. Have your dog stay for at least 30 seconds and return to your dogs heel position.
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Recall Out of Play From the sit/stay position, release the dog by giving the command "Play". Run forward with your dog about 5 steps, then run backwards for about 5 steps. Again run forward with your dog about 5 steps, then run backwards and call your dog with the 'come' command for about 5 steps. Once your dog is to you command them to sit. Finish your dog and praise.
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Off leash Recall By now we should be able to call your dog in from a sit stay from a fair amount of distance, without the leash. As your dog is successful keep adding more and more distance between you and your dog. If you dog is unable to complete the off leash recall, put the leash back on and repeat several times. Try again off leash.
Command the dog to "Sit" if needed.
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Finish Keep working the finish skill until your dog flies into this position. Face the dog and hold the leash in your right hand. Place your left hand under his chin. Motion the dog with your hand to your left as you take a step back and the dog makes a semicircle and comes to sit at your left side. Praise. If the dog has problems with this, assist with gentle tugs of the leash. (To much leash promotes resistance) Make sure the dog is sitting straight at your side. If not, quickly command the dog to "Heel", take a few steps forward and command the dog to "Sit". Repeat this step until the dog sits straight at your side. This exercise may still require motivation with treats or a toy to get your dog to put in enough energy to complete the move. This is normal. This exercise requires a lot of effort from your dog, so help them as much as possible until the skill is automatic.
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Would you like this lesson in a text format for your phone email?
freeclass12@dogskool.org
Practice these skills several times a day throughout your training course.