canine freestyle moves database
teaching position using a rectangular platform
dog is stationary on the platform
Goal: Habituate the dog to seeing himself in relation to your body in different positions while being reinforced in those positions.
… do not bypass this step
Once the dog is consistently mounting the platform and standing with all 4 feet on it, move around the platform and place yourself in the various heel positions, that is
… left side heel,
… right side heel and
… front
This habituates the dog to seeing himself in relation to your body in different positions while being reinforced in those positions. You want to build up a huge history of rewards in those positions.
As you move around you are clicking the dog for being stationary on the platform and at the same time giving you attention by turning the head to look at you.
If the dog wants to move on the platform, get the dog’s attention, take a (very) small step and click before the dog moves. The dog needs to understand that it is OK to be stationary.
This step is very important, especially if you can build attention duration.
Moving Around the Platform
It is important that you stand in the correct heel position and in the same position every time. You should not need to turn your head or shoulders to see if the dog is in the correct position. The platform is doing that for you.
Keep the rate of reinforcement high in each of the heel positions.
Click for attention (eye contact) instead for looking where the next treat will come from. If you can, vary the places where the next treat comes from.
Once you have your default behavior on the platform and it’s magnetized, i.e. that once the platform is available and your dog automatically mounts it, you are ready to begin using platforms to train heel positions.
Clicking for Eye Contact