Clean Run - July 2012 - 41

Occasionally your dog may bring up one of his front feet to your hand. If this happens simply use your free hand to lift the other foot that is still on the ground, which will cause the dog to replace the front foot he had lifted, and then you can let go and replace the other foot. During this exercise my hand never leaves the dog’s collar. Once your dog settles into the desired position, continue to calmly praise to encourage eye contact from your dog. Then release him by using your verbal release cue and releasing the collar. The release cue is the reinforcement for the eye contact and the calm and relaxed response from the dog. After releasing your dog, play with his toy. When working with a young puppy I will take hold of the leash during the release-andplay portion of the exercise. Repeat this exercise several times during one training session.
Exercise 2 – Sit to Stand Once your dog is comfortable being placed into the sit, add another position by moving him into the stand. With your right hand still in the collar, reach over the dog’s back with your left arm and raise the dog into the stand position, gently scratch the dog’s belly to praise and reassure. If your dog is bending away from you, rest your left forearm against your dog’s left side to encourage him to have closer body contact. Again, once the dog is settled in the stand and you have eye contact from your dog, say your release cue and play tug with your dog. Exercise 3 – Sit to Stand and Stand to Sit Repeat the sit to stand and stand to sit maneuver a few times before releasing your dog. Once the dog becomes comfortable with this handling, increase the time you have the dog settled in one position before moving to a new position. Exercise 4 – Stand to Down Maneuver the dog from the stand to the down. Never from the sit to the down. Only start this exercise if the dog is happy moving to and from the sit and stand positions.

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Although I rarely use food for any of these exercises I have found it necessary to use food for the first few times when introducing the down position, especially if I am working with an older dog. Kneel on the floor and have the dog on your left side in the stand position. Rotate your right hand so that your right thumb is over the dog’s collar under his chin, pointing to the ground. Rest your left hand lightly in front of the dog’s shoulders. Your right hand is going to push down and back (in the direction of the dog’s back feet) lowering the dog’s shoulders. As the dog drops his shoulders place some light pressure on the shoulders with your left hand and place the dog in the down position. Your left hand must be in front of the shoulders toward the neck, not on his back. If you place your hands on your dog’s back you will prevent the dog from moving easily into the down position.
July 12 | Clean Run

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Clean Run - July 2012

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