canine freestyle moves database
teaching position using a rectangular platform
four feet on platform
Goal: Dog is automatically drawn to and mounts the available platform, standing straight with all four paws on the platform. You want the dog to have a default stand on the platform.
Reminder: Clean training, that is, keep your whole body still while clicking and don’t move your hand towards the reward before or during the click.
Using Michele’s own words,
“It is important to create a very positive association to the equipment right from the start. You want to develop a dog that is magnetized to the platform. The first behavior you repeatedly reward on the platform will become the dog’s default behavior on the platform.”
For freestyle the stand behavior is most useful, and remember that the dimensions of the platform must be conducive to the behavior the dog is to do on the platform.
The platform is usually between the handler and he dog.
Initially mark 1, 2 then 3 feet on the platform. This should quickly result in the dog placing all 4 feet on it.
If the dog is reluctant to place all 4 feet on the platform it may mean the platform is not large enough or the dog does not believe it is large enough to stand on.
You may introduce a larger platform so the dog becomes comfortable with standing on the platform, eventually replacing it with the proper sized platform, or you can assist the dog to move on to it by luring the dog onto it.
Before you start get everything ready for the training session, have a treat in your hand and the clicker ready so that when you let the dog have access to the platform you are ready to C/T any interaction with the platform.
Start by standing at the short end of the platform, facing its length, leaving enough room for the dog to stand comfortably on the platform. If you are too close the dog may be reluctant to place his back feet on it because you have not left enough room for his head and neck.
The goal is: The dog stands with all 4 paws on the platform facing you. See picture.
Click when the dog is in this position and toss your treat over his head in a straight line away from you, so that the dog has to get off the platform to get the treat. This resets him for the next trial. (Call this the 12 o’clock direction.)
When you see the dog is comfortable mounting the platform from the other short end (12 o’clock) and positioning himself to stand in front of you, straight, start tossing the treat slightly to your left (11 o’clock) and right (1 o’clock) so that the dog approaches the short end of the platform at an angle and has to straighten himself to be able to stand on the platform in front of you, straight.
When the dog is doing this confidently, start increasing the difficulty by tossing the treat at ever increasing angles from the 12 o’clock direction. (Behind you is the 6 o’clock direction.) If at any time the dog doesn’t stand straight on the platform, make his direction of approach easier so he can succeed. Never reward a crooked stand; reset immediately.
Occasionally, while the dog is off the platform, move it so that it aligns differently in your training area. Also change which short end of the platform you stand at. This changes the context for the dog and he starts to generalize the idea of standing straight in front of you on the platform.
When you see the dog is confidently mounting the platform from behind you and straightening his body to stand straight in front of you, regardless of how your platform is placed in your training area, you are ready for the next step.
002 02 01 03 01 Four Feet on the Platform
Troubleshooting
If the dog is reluctant to place that fourth paw on the platform, use a lure to encourage him to draw closer to you.
By shifting his balance towards you, it should make him place that 4th paw on the platform. Click and feed on the platform.
Using your hand, target him off the platform in a straight line, turn him around 180 degrees and lure him back onto the platform in a straight line, to stand straight in front of you as you stand at the other short end.
C/T and repeat.
Occasionally try and stand at the short end to see if the dog will offer to place all 4 paws on the platform by himself. If he does jackpot while he is standing on the platform.
Don’t progress to tossing the reward in various directions around the clock until you see the dog is absolutely comfortable with mounting the platform and standing straight in front of you facing you.
Additional Information
Dogs that are extremely active, that is, bouncing back to the platform, should be fed more on the platform. This helps calm them down.
Dogs that lack energy towards the movement, benefit from being fed off the platform, as that can reset them and motivate them.
As the dog progresses you should be more stationary and not give visual cues to get on the platform.
The dog should automatically seek out the platform, mount it and be straight with all 4 feet on it in a stand.
The term “available platform” refers to any platform in the presence of the dog. In these early stages we are making the presence of the platform the cue for the dog to get onto the platform. There is no verbal cue associated with the dog mounting the platform. Also, do not have any other platforms lying around. You want to set up the dog’s training environment for success.