Here is your 8th training lesson.
Your 2nd Lesson in Intermediate Obedience
As you move on to the next level of skills, remember, if you need to go back to earlier lessons for review, feel free to do it. You may have experienced some learning regression within the last few weeks. This is normal. Be patient your dog will remember the skills if you help them through it.
The big skills this week are continuing the motion exercises. Down out of motion is our next skill. And keeping in line with the front exercises, we introduce the sit from the front position.
Skills are developed by repetition. Repeat each skill 4 to 6 times to ensure patterns are being set.
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Heel and down From a walking position command the dog "Down". Use your left hand to signal, by motioning toward the ground. Treats in the left hand can help your dog learn this skill quickly. Praise. If he fails to respond, correct by placing your left hand on top of collar and gently pushing down and toward the back as you repeat the "Down" command. Praise and pet when he responds.
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Lesson 8 Down out of motion From the neutral position command your dog to "Heel". Take a few steps, switch the leash to the left hand, place the right foot in front of the dog, command the dog down moving the right hand down, and place the treat between the two front paws. To correct, tug the leash toward you, say "No", then praise and pet.
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Sit from the front position With your dog in the down position. Stand in front of the dog. While the dog is in the down position, hold the treat in your right hand and lift as you command the dog to "Sit". If he fails to respond, tug upward while holding the leash in the left hand.Give the command "No", step forward and move the right hand upward, and again give the command "Sit". Pet and praise when they respond. - OR - From the down position, step in front of the dog. As you lift your right hand, command the dog to "Sit". Step forward and let the dog see the treat. Step back with the treat in your hand so that the dog follows it, then bring your hands up and command the dog to "Sit". To correct, with the leash in the left hand, tug toward you as you give verbal and hand signal to "Sit". Praise and pet when they respond
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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?
freeclass8@dogskool.org
Practice these skills several times a day throughout your training course.