Clean Run - June 2017 - 9

*	 A	basic	size	PVC	box	(2	feet	x	
3.5 feet) or an A-frame size box.
It is best to use 3-way connectors for the corners of the box
because it will raise your box
just	a	bit	off	the	ﬂ	oor.
Rubber Feed Pan Work

Front feet on a pan.

You want this initial work to be
relatively easy for the dog so use
an appropriate size pan for your
dog; don't start a large dog with a
small pan. As your dog progresses,
however, you can make it harder by
decreasing the size of the pan or by
stacking multiple pans.
I am going to assume you know how
to shape a behavior so I won't go into
that process here. You can use a verbal
cue or use a clicker, whichever is more
comfortable for you and your dog.
The feed pan steps to shape are as
follows:
1. Two front feet on
2. Four feet on
3. Two back feet on

All feet on a pan; your dog
can choose his position.

Rear feet on stacked pans.

Front feet on is usually easy for the
dog. It seems that even as baby
pups, dogs understand they have
front feet even when they have no
clue there are two more in the back!
This is our goal with the feed pans:
connect the back end to the brain.
You will notice that asking for four on
is also fairly easy because the back
feet can just follow the front feet. But
when you start asking your dog to
perform using just his back feet, the
brain really has to start working. This
step takes the longest and needs the
most time and patience from you.
Don't mistake rear-end awareness
with the ability to back your dog up
onto an object. I want the dog to
actually feel with and then place his
back feet. This is when we know he
has a connection between his back

feet and his brain; this is rear-end
awareness in my opinion.
Note: This step is quite important.
Don't bypass it because it seems
silly or your dog is having trouble.
Dogs mature and learn to learn at
different rates. Keep working for
rear end connectivity to the brain. It
will have big payoffs in agility including the ability to collect for contact
performance and weave pole entry,
perform tight turns, etc.
Basic Spot Box Training
Concepts
There are a few basic concepts that
are important for all steps of the
spot box training:
*	 Once	your	dog	understands	the	
box, all four feet must be in the
box to earn a reward. Don't let
him cheat by stepping on the
sides of the box or by hanging
his front feet out if he chooses to
lie down. We want dogs to understand there is a boundary for
all four feet.
*	 Don't	ask	for	a	position	in	the	
box; let the dog choose: stand,
sit, down. You may see that your
dog will choose a different position as you progress. Your dog
knows what is most comfortable
for his body, so if he chooses the
position he has a much better
chance at being successful.
*	 Never	say	multiple	commands.	
The command you choose
means "go to the box and stop."
It is the only cue you use until
you are ready to release your
dog. This will become apparent when you start asking your
dog to stay in the box while you
move. People want to tell their
dog to wait after they have already given the command for
the box-don't do this!

What is the spot box? Just PVC pipe in a box formation!
The basic box size is 2 feet x 3.5 feet, but size can vary depending
on dog size.
June 17 | Clean Run

9
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - June 2017
