How To Teach The Send Out
Send Out
The send out is the one behavior that is different from all the others because your dog will be moving away from you. For example, if you are eating at the dinner table and your dog likes to lay by your feet, you could send him to the other side of the room and have him wait there until you are finished.
Create a remote target using a container with a lid on it. Use any plastic container with a locking lid to prevent the dog from gaining access to the supply of treats. Place all of the treats in the container, and place the target on the ground in front of your dog.
Hold your dog's collar with your left hand while you take a treat out of the container and place it on top of the container. Stand next to your dog and release your dog and point to the treat. If your dog does not go to the treat, help him get started with a nudge and point to the treat. Allow your dog to eat the treat and repeat.
You should start out close to the target and gradually move a little further with each attempt.
Repeat until your dog is running quickly and directly to your target.
Once your dog is going out quickly and easily to your target with the pointing motion, add the "Go" command. As your dog goes out, say the word "Go." When your dog gets close to the target, say "Good," and wait a moment to allow your dog to eat the treat.
Practice with different targets and in different locations. The goal is to get your dog to run to a remote location quickly and directly.
Send Out
Have him "Sit and Stay". Walk away and place food on a dish. Then return to the heel position. Point with your left hand and finger and command the dog to "Go". After he eats the food off the dish, entice him to come to you with treats and kiss sounds and walk him a few feet further from the food dish then before. Have the dog "Sit and Stay", and start the process all over again. If he fails to obey, get him closer to the food dish. Repeat this process three or four times.
Send Out - More Distance
Your dog should be running out quickly and with enthusiasm to a target with your "Go" command. As you start to gain distance you may start to notice that your dog is searching the ground for the target. We need to make it easier for your dog to find the target. I use a walking stick, but use anything you can push into the ground to create a vertical marker pole for your dog to run to. Colored tape set in a striped pattern on the stick or pole can help it stand out against the backdrop. Remember, the dog's height is much lower than ours, so items can appear more hidden from their angle. The more contrast on the pole the better. Your original target should be placed at the base of the pole so when your dog gets to the pole, they will see their toy or treat at the base of the pole.
Now, release your dog from the "Go" command right before they get to the target. As your dog's approach gets within 3-5 meters, say "Play!" to allow your dog to enjoy the reward. In this way, we prepare your dog to receive another command before they reach their target.
Send Out to Down
A. To begin the Send Out to Down we will need to go back to closer targets. I usually work about 5 to 10 steps away. We are going to have to follow the dog to the target several times, but we also want the dog to develop speed to the target. In this exercise, I like to use a door mat, a dog bed, a carpet remnent, or anything your dog can lay on. I also use a wooden box that is low enough that the dog can jump up and onto. Remember, your dog must lie on the spot, so it must be able to accommodate your dog's size.
Grab a few treats and place one on the lie down spot. Keep a few treats in your hand. Move away from the target spot with your dog, face the target with your dog in the sitting in the heel position. Wait until your dog looks in your eyes for a moment, then send your dog with the "Go!" command.
Follow your dog to the spot and as your dog begins to finish the treat, give your dog the "Down" command. Use your target motion to encourage your dog to down on the mat or whatever you are using as your lie down spot.When the dog downs, say "Good" and give your dog a treat. Wait a moment, say "Good" and give your dog a second treat. If your dog tries to down off the spot, redirect him back onto the spot by showing him your handful of treats and lure him onto the spot. Once he is on the spot, lure him into the down position. Then give the two treat reward, one after the other.
Repeat until your dog is running quickly to the spot, then downs on the mat with a command or two.
B. Once your dog is performing step A easily, you are ready to send your dog to the spot without the treat being on the mat. We must still have it appear that we are putting the treat on the mat, so we go through the motions of going to the mat and making it look like we place a treat on the mat. It must look just like it did when we did step A.
Grab a few treats and fake placing one on the lie down spot. Keep all the treats in your hand. Move away from the target spot with your dog, face the target with your dog in the sitting in the heel position. Wait until your dog looks in your eyes for a moment, then send your dog with the "Go!" command.
Follow your dog to the spot and as your dog begins to notice the missing treat, give your dog the "Down" command. Use your target motion to encourage your dog to down on the mat or whatever you are using as your lie down spot.When your dog downs say, "Good" and give your dog a treat. Wait a moment, say "Good" and give your dog a second treat. Wait a moment, say "Good" and give your dog a third treat. If your dog tries to down off the spot, redirect him onto the spot by showing him your handful of treats and lure him onto the spot. Once he is on the spot, lure him into the down position. Then give the two treat reward, one after the other.
Repeat until your dog is running quickly to the spot then downs on the mat with a command or two.
As your dog is learning this skill, he may try to see if he can get away with not running to the spot and downing before he gets there. When this happens, go to your dog and send him again from a closer distance. Practice at the closer distance until he goes all the way to the mat and lies down on it. Then increase the distance slowly.