Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Using STEPS to teach DISTANCE: L2


Luring is the easy way to go with this behavior.

Step 1
Stand very close to a pole (or pylon, or stool, or whatever you're going to start with, as a walker is a rather large object and probably not available all the time), with the pole in front of you on your right. Maneuver the dog so she's in front of you on your left. Rapid-Fire five treats into her mouth, then turn just a smidge so you're handing them to her AROUND the pole.





Step 2
Whereas before you were putting each treat right into her mouth, now you're stopping each treat just SHORT of her mouth, so she has to walk around the pole one small step at a time to get it. When she's around the pole, Rapid-Fire another five.





Step 3
Start again. This time, Rapid-Fire three, then turn and make her come a step or two around the pole to get the next one. Help her around the pole ten times....




Step 4
... then start her out, turn, and wait to see if she goes around the pole by herself. If she does, Rapid-Fire another five treats. If she doesn't, go back to scratch and explain it a few more times.





Step 5
Once she understands that she has to go around the pole, you can very gradually step back from it. The distance required at this level shouldn't present a problem.




Technicalities

Giving precise information


Step 6

When she can go around a pole and a stool and a laundry basket, you're ready to try a walker. Remember that when you change anything about a behavior – like changing the object she has to go around – you have to make everything simpler, so go back to the beginning, stop using your cue, and build her back up through volunteering to the cue again.

Step 7

The easy way to add a cue to this behavior is, naturally, to wait until she's going around the pole, then tell her what it's called (Go Around). Cut down your body language and the lure as soon as possible.

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