Clean Run - May 2017 - 23

Why is this important? Initially, dogs often yield slightly to the applied pressure
(not fully loosening the collar). In the
first sessions of Step 2, you should be
click/rewarding these slight attempts at
yielding to the pressure cues. If you are
pulling the leash, you won't notice faint
attempts the dog makes to move with
the pressure cue.
Simply, fixed pressure makes the moment of yield very clear to the dog
which results in quick progress in collar
cue training. Normally, within four click/
rewards a dog is moving more than 12
inches upon the applied cue. To see
what fixed directional pressure looks
like, watch this video at https://youtu.
be/PsC9Fgq-BwI or from the May 2017
playlist on the Clean Run Magazine YouTube channel.

The amount of pressure to apply is as individual as each dog. Step 1 provides you
with information about the individual
and how hard that dog pulled toward
the distraction. As the dog progressed
in Step 1, they pulled with progressively
less strength. The same can occur in Step
2. Initially you may be required to apply
firmer pressure than you expected to
prompt the individual dog to move. The
amount of pressure required should lessen quickly as the dog seeks to offer the
desired behavior for reward.
In every case, the amount of pressure
applied to a directional cue should
quickly progress to a lighter amount of
applied pressure. As the dog demonstrates the desire to react the moment a
cue is applied, you apply a lighter pressure cue for the next repetition.

Test Your Collar Pressure Skills

Direction of Pressure Cues

When applying a collar pressure cue,
imagine someone suddenly cuts the
leash. Would your hand or body jerk
backward in response? If so, you are
pulling. If not, congrats! You are applying fixed pressure.

Just as in Step 1, strive to keep directional cues at an angle that is close to
horizontal to the dog's collar. Be specific in the direction you desire the dog to
move to release the pressure. Avoid creating pressure upward. Later, as the dog

May 17 | Clean Run

progresses they will be able to detect
very subtle directions of applied cues
and you will be able to hold a longer
leash and give cues in an erect stance.
Training Step 2
1. Decide the direction of the cue you are
going to apply and set yourself up so
that the dog has some space to move
in the direction about to be cued.
2. Using a loose but short leash, complete any necessary arm and hand
movements to prepare for giving
the collar cue (e.g., gathering up the
leash, moving your hand into position) so you are ready to give the directional cue.
3. Now keep your feet and hands still for
1 second before giving the collar cue.
4. Apply a fixed pressure cue in a specific direction that is clear to the dog,
striving to keep the pressure close to
horizontal.
If the amount of pressure you are
applying does not create any movement within 10 seconds, increase

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - May 2017
