Welcome to
The Ruff Life Advanced Training
Week Two
THIS WEEKS FOCUS
✭REFOCUSING ON BASIC COMMANDS & EXPANDING/ADVANCING ON THEM.
(With distance, duration and different positions)
✭TEACHING TOUCH (WITH A PAW) TO DIFFERENT OBSTICALS
YOUR HOMEWORK:
❖ PRACTICE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE LEARNED ❖
SEND IN YOUR 2 VIDEOS TO OUR SECRET FACEBOOK PAGE:
(Videos are due by Thursday at 6pm every week)
#1- OF YOUR LONG DISTANCE COMMANDS
#2-OF YOUR DOG BEING SENT TO, AND TOUCHING (WITH A PAW) OBSTACLES
THIS WEEKS FOCUS
✭ NOSE TARGET
Getting your dog to touch with their nose, is yet another gateway trick to soooo many other tricks. As you saw in the video, you can start to put a sticky note in your hand for the nose target. When your dog is comfortable with it, then you can place the sticky note on a wall, or on the cupboard door. This is the best way to teach dogs to close the cupboards or doors. Not to mention it is super cute too!!! TRY DIFFERENT OBJECTS not JUST a sticky note and your hand. Try the eraser at the end of a pencil, a Tupperware lid, recycling... use your imagination.
(PS. Also put your object for nose targeting at different angles)
TO WATCH THE FINAL PRODUCT OF COPPER CLOSING A CUPBOARD DOOR, WATCH THIS VIDEO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hQTVQmFaSL4HmBSq8
✭COME COMMANDS
Come Commands are Serious Business. Don't start the come command until you are willing to go get your dog if they don't come and set it back up. Come Commands should be varied with other commands and make sure you are not being predictable. Sometimes go back to your dog, some times lift up your arm like you are going to do a "Come Command" but don't. Some key things to remember.
BEFORE DOING YOUR COMMAND- Stand in a split stance, and you are going to say "COME" with two large exaggerated slaps on the leg. When your dog is coming into you- praise them. When they are about 2-3 feet in front of you, do your BIG BODY language step into your dog. They should automatically "Sit". Only feed your dog and let your dog up once you have released them.
COME COMMAND CORRECTIONS-If your dog bolts out of a command or takes off. When you eventually do catch them, you want to 'Pop' the leash all the way back to the spot they broke from. (Approx. every 2-3 steps with your 'ah ah')
✭COME COMMAND WORK AND TIMING
(Remember, dogs LOVE to run!! So don't practice the come command unless your other commands are doing well first. You want to think of the 'Come Command' as a bit of a fun burst of speed for them.)
✭BURST COMMANDS WITH TOY
You NEVER EVER want to do your burst commands in a pattern once they know how to do them. DON'T BE PREDICTABLE. Burst Commands are a fun interactive way to play with your dog while doing obedience. When they finish the 'sequence' you can reward them with a toy or food. A toy reward (once your dog has drive for it) will build the drive to WANT to work for you.
✭BUILDING TOY DRIVE
If your dog struggles with toy drive, or you just want to have some bonding fun time between you and your dog. This is a great way to build drive. You can use a flirt pole if you have access to one, OR you can just tie a leash to your toy. But that will involve you having to move more. Here is a great video on the basics.
✭ DOWN COMMAND IS YOUR 'DOG RELIGION'
The down is my dog's saving grace... okay, it is my emergency command and saves my sanity. It brings the dog's high drive to a screeching halt- IF you train them that the Down means they need to listen NOW! So when you say down... you need to mean it!!!! I use my down command when my dog is being high-strung when people come to the door if my recall isn't quite working all the way. BUT that means you better be willing to correct them straight to the ground if they don't do it!
✭ BACK UP- STARTING TO INCORPORATE AN INCLINE
In my not so humble opinion lol. The 'Back up' trick is AMAZING for teaching your dog some back-end awareness. It also really helps them build their muscles differently- and stronger. So hopefully they have less chance of ever hurting themselves. Once your dog is keen on the backup, put your target mat on something you can start putting an incline to it. I use a piece of plywood. Once your dog gets it, then it's time to get them to start the 'HAND STAND TRICK"
✭ MIDDLE
Your show-off trick, your emergency recall, your way to get your dog's attention, the best way to get your dog to focus on YOU! It doesn't matter the reason. Once your dog is comfortable going through your legs and looking at you. You want to start STANDING UP STRAIGHT. We all bend over a TON when we first start this trick with our dogs. Now it's time to start keeping your body upright.
✭ COMMANDS WITH DISTANCE
DISTANCE COMMANDS.... are I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E
BUT.....It is going to take you being SUPER consistent. If your dog learns they can blow you off, bolt and run away so you have to try and catch them. That 'incredible' piece of freedom will actually feel like an anxiety attack coming on before you even start. Commit to yourself, when you start doing distance commands, that you are going to follow through and correct your dog. There is NO ROOM for letting them do what ever they feel like. It is dangerous.
CORRECTIONS: If your dog bolts out of their command. When you get them, you better show them you are not impressed. Why?!?? Your dog just self rewarded it self by RUNNING!!! Us winning the lottery= is like your dog getting to run around while you chase them. So correct your dog every 2-3 steps ALL THE WAY BACK and then straight into their command when you get them there. Keep the long leashes on until your dog EARNS your trust.
✭SITS TO DOWN, DOWN TO SIT- FROM A DISTANCE
(ALWAYS Use BIG body language )
REMEMBER: Down to Sit is not a normal or easy command for dogs. It's something they have to work at. Sit to Down is much easier for them. Start with your dog in a sit position, get a little bit of distance and using BIG body language and your voice, tell your dog to "Down". For the first little while, you will most likely have to go all the way back to your dog to get them to do Down to Sit. (You are only going to feed for Down to Sit), REPEAT getting a little bit further each time- as long as your dog is not struggling.
YOUR HOMEWORK:
❖ PRACTICE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE LEARNED ❖
SEND IN YOUR 2 VIDEOS TO OUR SECRET FACEBOOK PAGE:
(Videos are due by Wednesday at 6pm every week)
#1- One command (sit or down) with BIG DISTANCE!!! This is your chance to show off your dogs skills. (or work on them)~ Bonus points if you can do SIT-DOWN-SIT
#2- TRICK: Cross your paws ❤️💜
OPTIONAL: Magic Hand or ANYTHING You are proud of your dog for.
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