leash: level 2: step 2

step 2: the dog keeps the leash loose while the trainer stands in one spot for 5 seconds, then walks 5 steps forward and turns around

a) saunter casually around the room; click and give the dog a treat every time she's within a couple of feet of you

First, off leash. Dale begins "explaining" to Lily that good things happen when she is near to him.

b) click ONLY when she's near you AND on your right side

c) work the capture sessions (a and b) several more times while she is wearing collar and leash

Although much of this video is out of camera range (on a tripod) listen to the clicker. Dale is quite good at knowing his criteria and clicking for it. We were dropping the treat so that Lily had to return to "the zone". In the parking lot, that slowed things down. It is, however, effective when training inside and at home.

By this session, Lily demonstrates that she understands that she is being rewarded for being "in the zone" on the right side of Dale's body. NOTE that Dale is aware of Lily's location at all times and he moves so that the leash DOESN'T tighten when she is looking for the dropped treat.

NOTE, however, that once Dale and I begin our conversation he forgets about Lily, her location, the position of the clasp and the condition of the leash. Doing more than one thing at a time is difficult for ALL trainers, but particularly difficult for new trainers.

What is Lily learning while Dale and I are talking?

Now that Lily understands about being "in the zone" AND about being on Dale's right side, he begins Doodling, using simple left turns and working within a fairly small space.

First off leash.

And then on. Dale has done a good job of "explaining" and Lily understands that good things happen "in the zone"

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR GOALS IN MIND! You are rewarding her for being on your right side and for being close enough to keep the leash loose. PERIOD. Nothing more. Nothing less.

d) stand in one spot and click for her being in the right place, dropping the treat following the click

e) when she understands the game, make it a little bit harder. click and reward her 3X for hitting the correct spot. the 4th time, instead of standing still while she ducks to get the treat, take half a step forward. stop and wait for her.

f) If she doesn't move up with you, put a tiny bit of pressure on the leash and hold it. Wait. She knows what to do about pressure. Let her think.......

Ah! She takes a step to relieve the pressure and gets her click. Toss the treat up closer to you and try again.

Since she's expecting to come back 2 steps to find position after picking up the treat, she shouldn't have a problem with coming 2 1/2 steps back, then 3 steps back, and so on.

g) In (c) you moved when she was picking up the previous treat. Gradually hold back a bit so she has a chance to SEE you move, and starts to realize that she's moving WITH YOU instead of following you.

h) Ladder the distance you move. Click for finding your stationary position 3X, then take a full step forward. Click for her coming forward to find or hold position.

i) Then take 2 steps forward, click her for finding or holding position. Then 3 steps, then 4 steps, and, finally, 5.

j) When she can stand with you, and stay with you when you take 5 steps forward, start again clicking her for being in position while you stand still.

Now, while she's diving for the last standing-still treat, TURN a quarter turn to your right. You've moved her click position again. Can she find it? If she can't, put that tiny bit of pressure on the leash again, and wait for her to respond.

k) When she can do that, try turning 180 degrees (U turn)

HERE'S WHAT SHE CAN DO INDIVIDUALLY

Stand in position on your right side with the leash loose while you count to 5

Walk 5 steps with you, in position on your right side with the leash loose

Turn 180 to your left

HOW CAN YOU START PUTTING THEM TOGETHER?

Stand still for 2 seconds, take 2 steps forward, click if she's in position

Stand still for 2 seconds, take 2 steps forward, turn 90 left, click if she's still in position

Or stand still for 1 second, take 4 steps forward, click

Or take 3 steps forward, turn 90 left, click

THE LEASH should be just short enough that it'll tighten if she doesn't come with you and just long enough that she can loosen it easily by coming close to you.

REMEMBER, though, that if the leash tightens, she failed. We don't WANT her to tighten the leash and have to loosen it, we WANT her to be coming with us without the leash tightening at all. If the leash tightens, back up (to where she was successful) and explain what you want again!