canine freestyle moves database

teaching position using rectangular platforms

Please note the DVD “Step Up to Platform Training” by Michele Pouliot provides the best instruction material for teaching a dog heel positions.

method - summary

Platform Training is a very accurate way to teach a dog heel positions. The following is a very brief explanation of how to do it. Each step must be solid before moving on to the next one.

The platform needs to be high enough for the dog to easily mount it and solid enough for the dog to be aware when not all 4 feet are on it, ie you need a well-defined edge. It needs to be long enough to accommodate the dog standing comfortably on it with all 4 feet well placed and just wide enough so the dog can be straight on the platform. The platform needs to suit the size of the dog so there is room to move around on it.

Using the clicker, operantly teach the dog to place himself on the platform, all 4 feet nicely squared. Initially stand at one end of the platform and train so that when the dog is on the platform he is facing you. During initial training click for all interaction with the platform and build up to the dog standing on it.

Reinforce this by feeding a lot while the dog is standing on the platform.

Then progress to the dog being “magnetized” to the platform, ie, all he wants to do, is be on the platform.

Next train for steadiness on the platform and focus on you. As you move around the platform the dog remains stationary, all 4 feet remaining firmly fixed, with only the dog’s head moving to watch you.

At this stage start introducing different positions of your body around the platform, ie you place yourself in heel, right side heel, front and back positions. The dog gets used to you being in those positions and you reinforce by feeding a lot in these positions. It is at this stage the dog is learning to have his head up in heel position. This is something that needs to be trained.

The next step is to put your dog on a “wait”, you place the platform where you want it and position yourself in one of the 3 heel positions mentioned, say your “cue” and release the dog from the wait so he will mount the platform. At this stage the dog knows the release word but not the heel position cue. That will come. When you reward you toss the treat so the dog gets off the platform and you are setting him up for another trial. As the dog is approaching the platform you say your “cue” again. Do not give the cue before the dog begins to approach the platform.

Then position yourself in a different heel position and repeat.

Once you have introduced the dog to the 3 heel positions you can start to introduce a second platform, eg have them side by side with you standing in the middle.

Now you give a cue, say, “heel” and because the dog is “magnetized” to the platform he will mount a platform. If it is the correct platform for heel position you C/T, if not wait and usually the dog will go to the other platform at which point you C/T. In this way you teach the dog which platform to mount according to the cue you give. Now the dog is beginning to target a part of your body in relation to the platform. During this process the dog learns through habituation to target a side of your body and you are associating cues to the different sides of your body.

Now you can introduce a 3rd platform.
(At some stage you may put the dog on a short lead, so that as you are teaching duration in a position he does not move to another platform by anticipation. The leash is used to hold him in position and to guide him to a different platform when you cue a new position. The leash is always loose.)

When the dog easily maintains heel position, ie duration, you start varying the cues for different positions to see how well he understands position.

Eventually you remove the lead, and by this stage the dog should be readily moving to the correct platform on cue.

The body target is how one presents their body in relation to the platforms, habituating the dog to seeing themselves in relation to you in those positions. Handlers commonly turn their hips when trying to "lure or cue" their dogs into positions. This results in the dog viewing a 'non precise' target while they are put into positions. The platforms automatically place the dog in a given spot so the guardian can concentrate on keeping their body precisely aligned with the platform the dog is heading towards. This means that all the reps the dog does of finding positions with the handler offering a goal target there is no turning or movement while the dog gains position. The clicker marks the moment the dog gains the position on the platform. Clicks are also applied when the dog is simply maintaining position on the platform with goal attention to the handler.

You then remove the platforms one by one. Target positioning must be correct before each time a platform is removed.

Finally this is done on the flat with no platform.

At this stage you still have only position. The rest of heel work and its elements in that position are still to be taught.

method - details

Dog is automatically drawn (magnetized) to and mounts available platform, standing straight with all four paws on the platform.

back to fundamental orientations

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