Clean Run - July 2012 - 44

to wait. He just figures out what works to get what he wants. In this way I am, by my actions, explaining that if he uses selfcontrol temporarily, then he can have what he wants. Of course I just need the same understanding on the start line of an agility course. I don’t want to tell my dog to “Wait” or “Stay” because that would be me controlling my dog again and not my dog choosing to use self-control to get what he wants. So I decided I needed some sort of countdown to allow me time to get where I needed to be on a course and also to allow my dog to be up on his toes ready to release at the end of the countdown. Once my puppy knew to remain in a sit while I put the bowl on the floor with his food in, I then added the last word of my countdown. I decided to use numbers since I don’t use these for anything else with my dogs, and they don’t sound similar to anything I already use. I use “three, two, one” and then “OK” for my start line, so I start by using “one”’ and then “OK” with my pup. If he moves on the word “one” then I just pick up the bowl again. No negatives, just actions. If he stays still when I say “one” then I give him my release word of “OK” and he can go to the food. When predictably doing that well, I add on so it’s “two, one” and then “OK.” Once again if he moves before the release word then I just raise the bowl. Eventually it becomes “three, two, one” and then “OK.” Make sure there is always a pause between the words “one” and “OK” or the dog will think that the words go together and mean the same thing—to release. The word Breezer being released “one” will become part of the reto the food bowl. lease cue, which we don’t want. Once successful with the bowl exercise I then move to a treat in the hand. So I offer an open hand to my dog/puppy, below his head height, with a treat in it. (Initially don’t ask for a sit until the self-control part has been taught and back-chained.) If he moves toward the treat I close my hand (do not move it away). As soon as he looks away, even for a split second, I open my hand again. The hand opens as a reward for using some form of self-control.That is, moving his nose away from my hand for an instant. Once your dog will stay away from an open hand for a split second, then you can give your release word. He may try lots of things to try and get that treat from your hand (pawing at it, for instance); he is just trying to see what works to get that treat. It is him learning to see what works, Dancer trying to get so don’t say anything and don’t move the treat. your hand away. Just be ready to open it again as soon as you can, so he sees that not touching your hand makes it open. It doesn’t mean he can have the treat yet though; he has to stay away from an open hand for a second to get the release word, or he would think that the opening of the hand is his cue to take the treat.Then you backchain the countdown again in The hand opens as a reward for the dog using self-control. the same way as before with the bowl.
44 Clean Run | July 12

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Clean Run - July 2012

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