Clean Run - December 2015 - 10

Videotaping your training sessions will help you identify
proper reward position and evaluate your positioning and
your dog's posture.

Luring
When trying to achieve a very specific position or movement,
luring can be useful for a short period of time. For instance,
when training a folding down position, where the dog has to
shift weight to the rear and fold to a down without moving
his front or rear feet, luring the position can give the dog the
information needed to properly achieve the movement. After
the dog starts to understand what is needed, and you have
started to use a verbal cue, luring can be faded.
When training hind-end strength and awareness, luring can
often be a hindrance. Shaping or clicker training movement
as mentioned next will help the dog "connect" with the movement and maintain balance to perform the exercise you are
training. When luring, the dog is often more focused on the
food with little care or connection to what his body is doing.
See Figures 10 and 11.
10

Shaping
Using a clicker or a marker signal to shape behaviors needed
for fitness training will teach your dog to use his body eﬃciently and he will learn to place his feet without a lure or you
having to physically place him on equipment. When food is
present and the dog is following a lure, food becomes the
main focus with little regard for limb position. When teaching a dog to use his body eﬃciently, distribute weight, and
connect with his hind limbs, shaping is the most desirable
training method. See Figure 12.
Both luring and shaping have their place in training fitness
exercises. Sometimes a combination of luring and shaping
are used to maximize the benefits of an exercise and to work
within the dog's and handler's capabilities. D
12

Luring with the reward too low
is causing this dog to shift his
weight forward, and his rear feet
are slipping oﬀ the PawPods.

This dog is so focused on the
treat that he doesn't realize he
is stepping oﬀ the PawPods.

This dog is being shaped to stand on the PawPods

Bobbie Lyons, Cert CF has 10 years of experience training handlers and their performance dogs safe canine fitness practices. She obtained this knowledge by consulting
with the leading veterinarians, rehabilitation specialists, and canine physical therapists to ensure proper position and technique to maximize the benefits of each exercise.
Bobbie has five dogs and has trained in agility for over 12 years. She teaches students all over the world at classroom.daisypeel.com and travels offering workshops and
clinics. Contact Bobbie through her website: www.pawsitive-performance.com.

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Clean Run - December 2015

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