Clean Run - April 2014 - 26

1
T

dog passes you by. When you reach the target have
a grand game of tug or a party with your dog. Randomly do a recall to your side between "pass me by"
exercises and reward lavishly for your dog stopping
at your side.

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Adding Motion
Before You Decelerate
Go on!

Go on!

1. Lead out halfway to a toy that you have thrown ahead or to
a target you have placed forward of your line. Release your
dog and start to run toward the toy/target. Use your "Go on"
verbal cue. Tell your dog to "Get it" as he approaches the
target. Be sure to run with your dog all the way to his target,
don't stand still!
2. Place the target and lead out halfway again. This time don't
move. Recall the dog to your side and reward.
3. Repeat step one and then vary doing recalls to side or
"pass me bys" to the toy.

Go on!

It is time to add some motion before you decelerate
and stop to reward your dog. See Figure 7. Exaggerate both your motion forward and your stop to show
your dog a distinct change of your speed. In this
exercise your target is both a reward and a "trap."
Think of it as a tunnel at the end of a line of jumps.
We want our dogs to run forward to that tunnel if
we cue them to do so, but not if we ask them to
pay attention to our deceleration cue. Your physical
motion is supported by the reinforcement which is
presented in front of you. You will need to stop moving forward in a timely fashion or your dog won't be
able to decelerate in time to stop at your side. I can't
tell you the correct timing for your dog; it will depend
on his speed and stride length. For a tiny terrier, you
might be able to stop moving when the dog is just 6'
from catching you. With my Border Collies, if I don't
stop moving when they are 10' or so from catching me, they will just blow by me, paying attention
to my AC cues and ignoring my DC cue. Experiment
with the timing for your dog. See if you can also cue
later and later as your dog catches on to the game.
If you are introducing a "check your stride" verbal
cue or hand signal, you will want to use that when
you ask your dog to stop at your leg rather than
continuing forward to the toy. Some ideas for verbal cues: Check, Dig, Step, your dog's nickname, or
your recall to side cue (my cues are Close and Side).
These cues often work well when you give them at
the point where your dog is about 10' from you or
the jump, and you give them a few times quickly:
Check, check, check or Dig, dig, dig. Have a boisterous game of tug when your dog reaches your side or
a "clapping hands good dog party" if you are giving
out a treat.

1. Lead out 20', release your dog, and run forward fast, but just
a few steps. Then stop and reward your dog for recalling to
your side. Exaggerate throwing on your brakes!
2. Lead out a bit farther and run at least five or six paces
before you stop.
3. Throw your toy out 20' in front of the spot where you plan on
stopping. Do another run forward and decelerate. If your dog
passes you by, do a couple more without the toy/target. Make
sure you are stopping soon enough to show your dog you want
him to stop at your side.
4. Now do "pass me by" to your toy a few times and then
randomly practice passes and stops.

If you are introducing a "check your stride"
verbal cue or hand signal, you will want
to use that when you ask your dog to stop
at your leg rather than continuing forward
to the toy. Some ideas for verbal cues:

Check, Dig, Step, your dog's nickname,
or your recall to side cue.

Clean Run

April 14

Clean Run - April 2014

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