Prescott Valley, AZ
(406) 404-9162
PREREQUISITES:
None
TRAINING GOALS:
Willingly enters kennel & remains inside with door open until “released”; and settles in kennel for daytime naps and overnight.
DESCRIPTION:
The "kennel" cue is a verbal or hand signal that you give your dog to indicate that you want him to go into his kennel/crate or other designated kennel area, essentially telling them it's time to settle down in their designated space. The purpose is to teach your dog to willingly go into their kennel/crate when given the cue, which can be helpful for managing behavior during specific situations like when guests are over or when you need to leave the room. When your Pup hears you say the word “kennel” he will promptly dash into it for the opportunity to earn a positive reward. In part 1 your Pup will happily and willingly enter his kennel and remain inside with the door open for several seconds until released; and easily settle in his kennel for daytime naps and overnight. Not only will your Pup learn to love his kennel, but you will have peace of mind that he is safe and staying out of trouble while you are away from home or just need to get some chores done.
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PREREQUISITES:
None
TRAINING GOALS:
Calmly maintains position until “okayed” to eat while transferring value from food bowl to Pet Parent plus duration work.
DESCRIPTION:
Table manners matter! You would not let a toddler dive bomb a meal and our pups can and should be held to the same standard! In part 1 of this lesson, you will introduce a designated physical spot that your pup will automatically go to when it is meal time preparation while you slowly build your pup’s impulse control to maintain an implied stay until okayed to eat. With these positive reinforcement techniques, you will be able to walk around the entire room while your pup stays put, even with food temptation on the floor! Your pup will totally dig this challenge as you slowly raise the criteria to the next level of impulse control! Your dog will learn that you are his source of food and that there is no need for mealtime anxiety or begging.
PREREQUISITES:
None
TRAINING GOALS:
Waits for Pet Parent's permission to move through an open doorway & gains thorough understanding of "release" cue.
DESCRIPTION:
No more rushing through doorways without permission! Doorway manners for your dog is not a formal cue but rather a set of behaviors that teach him to wait at the door until he is called to proceed. This includes doors in cars, trucks, and gateways. Your dog will learn that when he waits calmly at the door when you open it, he earns tasty treats, praise, or a toy; and that he must wait for your permission to go through it, otherwise, the exciting adventure that awaits him on the other side will be delayed or even withdrawn.
PREREQUISITES:
None
TRAINING GOALS:Promptly returns to you when cued “come here”, and willingly accepts being caught by the collar until “released”.
DESCRIPTION:Get ready for some tail-waggin’ fun with the “Catch & Release” Game! Your Fur-Face Teammate will learn the “come here” cue and promptly return to you when cued to do so - even in the midst of an exciting group play session with other furry friends! Your Pup will happily accept being “caught” by the collar because you are going to “Release” her back into play time after giving her a delicious food reward for just coming to you when called. It’s a “win-win” for both of you! Plus, you and your furry best friend will bond to a whole new level of awesomeness by the end of this fun and engaging Team Training Exercise. You will have peace of mind knowing that with this “come here” cue, you can keep your Pup safe whenever danger or trouble may present itself. Let the bonding begin! See you soon!>/p>
5. "Bed" Cue
Part 1
PREREQUISITE:
None
TRAINING GOALS:Understands value of implied stay and settles on bed for up to 30-minutes.
DESCRIPTION:Whether you are entertaining company or just trying to cook a meal, keep your Pup happy and safe with the “Bed” cue! This Week, your Pup will gain the impulse control to settle on bed for up to 30 minutes, and will understand that implied stay until cued “released” equals positive reinforcement! Yes! During this Week’s Team Training, you will practice encouraging your Pup onto a designated bed spot using hand motions & verbal encouragement. Your Pup will earn a yummy food reinforcement when she lies down & even more delicious treats while you teach her that good things happen while she is just chilln’ on her bed or watching the world go by. Before you know it, your fur-baby will happily run to her bed and stay there until cued “released” - even when someone rings the doorbell! Once your Pup has mastered this concept, we will move onto Part 2 of this valuable life skill. For the remainder of this week, you will practice daily with one of your dog’s meal rations while real world life happens around you. Let’s get to work!
6. "Sit" Cue
Part 1
Reinforcement Zone
PREREQUISITE:
None
TRAINING GOALS:- Learns reinforcement zone is at your side.
- Offers automatic sits at your side.
- Learns verbal cue “sit.”
In this training session, your puppy will learn to properly “sit” at your side (reinforcement zone); offer automatic sits at your side, and respond to the verbal cue "sit". Step 1 involves using a food lure to teach your puppy how to sit at your side, while Step 2 focuses on marking the behavior when your puppy offers a sit without the food lure. In Step 3, you will introduce the cue word "sit" and your puppy will immediately respond to it. Once mastered, we can begin leash work!
7. "Sit" Cue
Part 2
Leash Cues
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1: Automatically sits at your (reinforcement zone) when you stop walking.
TRAINING GOALS:
Follows gentle leash cues into full circle sit close to your side.
DESCRIPTION:
Now that your dog consistently sits at your side upon hearing the verbal cue “sit”, it’s time to add the leash! That’s right! No more leash pulling! In Part 2 of the “Sit” Cue, your dog will learn how to follow the leash rather than pulling ahead like a “sleigh” dog. As the Pet Parent, you will learn how to use the leash like a steering wheel to guide your dog into any position, and your teammate will understand to follow it! This is a fun and stimulating exercise for both you and your dog. The bond & trust between you and your adorable dog is growing stronger everyday as you both learn to work together as a team!
8. Loose Leash Walking
Part 1
"Let's Go" Cue
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1: Offers automatic sits at your side and responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2: Responds to verbal cues “heel” & “side” & follows leash into a 360 degree tight auto sit at your side.
Learn’s “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
DESCRIPTION:At this point, your Pup now understands the verbal cue “sit, and willingly follows the leash into a tight position at your side and auto sits. This is when it all starts to come together as you continue to build on these behaviors with eye contact and “Let’s Go” cue. So, “Let’s Go” for a walk where your furry teammate will practice remaining at your side (reinforcement zone) while walking, and auto sit when you stop. “Let’s Go”!
9. "Down" Cue
Part 1
TRAINING GOALS:
Consistently offers a down at your side with minimal hand cues for 1-minute duration before “released”, & learns verbal cue “down”.
PREREQUISITES:- “Sit” Cue Part 1: Offers automatic sits at your side and responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2: Responds to verbal cues “heel” & “side” & follows leash into a 360 degree tight auto sit at your side.
- ”Let’s Go” Cue – Loose Leash Walking Part 1: Understands “let’s go” & “release” cues & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
The behaviors of “Sit” and “Down” have a variety of real-life applications. Now that your Pup understands the “sit” & “release” cue; and that the positive reinforcement zone is at your side, she is ready to learn the “down” cue! By the end of this session, your Pup will consistently offer “down” at your side (reinforcement zone) with “implied stay” until cued “release” and will immediately “down” upon hearing you cue the word “down.” You will gradually build on increasing your Dog’s “implied stay” with distance, duration & distractions through fun and stimulating various positive reinforcement techniques that you can practice mastering at home.
10. Loose Leash Walking
Part 2
TRAINING GOALS:
Maintains loose leash walking position for longer distances and in the presence of a few Long distance environmental distractions.
PREREQUISITES:- “Sit” Cue Part 1: Offers automatic sits at your side and responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2: Responds to verbal cues “heel” & “side” & follows leash into a 360 degree tight auto sit at your side.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 1: Understands and responds to “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
11. Distractions
Part 1
Leash Anchoring
TRAINING OBJECTIVES:
Understands that maintaining a loose leash and focus on you in the presence of approaching distractions equals positive reinforcement opportunities (ex. playtime with other dogs).PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 (Leash Cue Intro): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 1 (“Let’s Go”) Cue: Learn’s “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 2: Maintains loose leash walking position for long distances and in the presence of a few long-distance environmental distractions.
DESCRIPTION:
Puppy socials and other outdoor excursions are an important part of your dog’s overall health and happiness, so it is crucial that you prevent bad habits like leash lunging/pulling and barking whenever a new and stimulating distraction comes within sight of your canine companion. In this lesson, you are going to give your pup the tools to make positive choices in the face of new and distracting environments. Not only will you Pup master impulse control when faced with exciting distractions, but will learn how to manage leash tension like a pro! Watch as your puppy engages with you, even amidst distractions! This is an invaluable lifelong skill that will ensure both pet parent and pup a lifetime of fun and stress-free walks, outings, and meet & greets.12. "Bed" Cue
Part 2
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Learns verbal cue “bed”, and contently settles on bed for up to an hour with minimal reinforcements.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Bed” Cue Part 1: Understands value of implied stay and settles on bed for up to 30-minutes.
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released,” and responds to verbal cue “down.” .
DESCRIPTION:
The “bed” cue is a fantastic way to teach your Pup to happily dash to his designated bed spot and stay there until given the “release” cue. This cue is a game-changer for those times when you need your Pup to stay calm, like when you’re traveling, entertaining or you want him to relax in a specific area. Now that your dog can chill on his bed for about 10 minutes while you move around the room, it’s time to kick things up a notch! Let’s introduce verbal cue "bed" and extend the duration. With consistent practice at home, your Pup will zoom to his designated chill zone at the sound of "bed" and happily relax for up to an hour even with tempting distractions present. Let’s keep the momentum going in preparation for Bed Part 3!
13. "Kennel" Cue
Part 2
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Responds to verbal cue “kennel” from a distance & gains impulse control to remain inside kennel with door open for at least 1 min of duration.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Kennel” Cue Part 1: Willingly enters kennel & remains inside with door open until “released”; and settles in kennel for daytime naps and overnight.
DESCRIPTION:Let’s keep the momentum going now that your Pup willingly enters his kennel and remains inside for several seconds until told “released”. In Part 2, your Pup will learn the verbal cue “kennel” as well as increase his impulse control to remain inside his kennel for longer durations. Keep practicing! It’s almost time for the last part of the “kennel” cue!
14. It's Your Choice Game
Part 1
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Learns to ignore food found on the floor without requiring a “leave it” cue.
PREREQUISITES:
None
DESCRIPTION:
“It’s Your Choice Game” is a fun extension of the “eye contact game” that teaches your Pup that making eye contact means a world of positive reinforcement! We’re stepping up the challenge by helping your Pup learn to ignore food on the floor without needing a “leave it” cue. From now on, every time we deliver food reinforcement during training, it’s all about making good choices and having a blast!
15. "Sit" Cue
Part 3
Implied Stay
TRAINING GOALS:
“Sits” on verbal cue and maintains position until released even with distractions present.PREREQUISITES:
- “BED” CUE PART 1: Understands value of implied stay and settles on bed for up to 30-minutes.
- “SIT” CUE PART 1 (REINFORCEMENT ZONE): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “SIT” CUE PART 2 (LEASH CUE INTRO): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
- “DOWN” CUE PART 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released” and responds to verbal cue “down”.
DESCRIPTION:
Let’s get that implied stay going! Your puppy will “sit” and “down” when verbally cued and hold that position until you say “release”! Watch as your superstar Pup develops amazing impulse control, even with distractions around when we take this skill on the road for some real-world practice. All you need is some tasty treats, pet parent praise, and some patience. Let the fun begin!
16. "Fetch" & "Drop Cues
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Retrieve a toy back to you and “drop” it when cued.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Come Here” Cue: Promptly returns to you when cued “come here”, and willingly accepts being caught by the collar until “released”.
DESCRIPTION:
How many times have you found your pooch chewing on inappropriate objects or food and/or playing “keep away”? Probably a lot! That’s all about to change with the “drop” cue; and the “fetch” cue is a super fun way to introduce it while simultaneously teaching your pooch how to play appropriately with toys. After this session, your Pooch will immediately drop whatever she has in her mouth – happily. This could potentially be a life saving skill someday yet is super fun for both Pup and Pet Parent to play and practice on a regular basis to maintain the behavior. So, let’s “drop” what we’re doing and play fetch!
17. "Speak" & "Quiet Cues
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Teach your Pup to bark only when instructed, allowing for controlled vocalization in specific situations as well as to remain quiet when cued “quiet.”
PREREQUISITES:
None
DESCRIPTION:
A "speak" cue is a verbal command (like saying the word "speak") that signals to your dog to bark, essentially asking him to make a vocal sound on cue; it's a training trick where the dog is rewarded specifically for barking when given this cue, rather than barking spontaneously.
18. "Down" Cue
Part 2
Implied Stay
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Develops impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
PREREQUISITES:
- ”Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
DESCRIPTION:
Part 2 of the “down” cue is adding distractions while your Pup works on impulse control for longer durations. We are going to add some tempting distractions that will really test your teammate’s ability to just chill out and watch the world go by for 10 minutes all while marking the behavior with tasty treats and lots of praise. Your Pup will learn that settling in a “down” position amongst tempting distractions equals positive reinforcement, and that lunging for the distraction does not. We are delivering the message to your Pup that he is making excellent choices through positive reinforcement, and guiding him back into “down” position when he forgets.
19. Socialization (Outings)
Part 1
Watching the World go By
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Socialization through gentle exposure to new public & environmental experiences in a safe and controlled way that helps your Pup become comfortable and remain well-mannered around people, other dogs & animals, new places, and different activities.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 (Leash Cue Intro): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 1 (“Let’s Go”) Cue: Learn’s “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 2: Maintains loose leash walking position for long distances and in the presence of a few long-distance environmental distractions.
- Big Distractions Part 1 (Leash Anchoring): Understands that maintaining a loose leash and focus on you in the presence of approaching distractions equals positive reinforcement opportunities (ex. playtime with other dogs).
- “Sit” Cue Part 3 (Implied Stay): “Sits” on verbal cue and maintains position until released even with distractions present.
- “Down” Cue Part 2: Gains impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
DESCRIPTION:
It’s field trip time! We’re off to the park for some socialization time! Socialization is the process of helping your Pup become comfortable and remain well-mannered with new people, other dogs & animals, new places, and different activities in a safe and controlled way that builds confidence, strengthens your bond, and prevents behavior problems. First, we'll give him a moment to soak in lots of new & exciting sights, sounds and smells and watch the world go by while staying calm at your side, rewarding him for his good behavior amidst new distractions. In the meantime, we will prepare to engage even more new distractions in the environment and really practice your Pup’s impulse control while he remains in a clam & confident “down”. Let’s go!
20. Big Distractions
Part 2
Walking Past
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Develop impulse control and maintain a loose leash while walking past various environmental distractions. These distractions will serve as cues to enhance focus and encourage eye contact with you.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 (Leash Cue Intro): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 1 (“Let’s Go”) Cue: Learn’s “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 2: Maintains loose leash walking position for long distances and in the presence of a few long-distance environmental distractions.
- Big Distractions Part 1 (Leash Anchoring): Understands that maintaining a loose leash and focus on you in the presence of approaching distractions equals positive reinforcement opportunities (ex. playtime with other dogs).
- “Sit” Cue Part 3 (Implied Stay): “Sits” on verbal cue and maintains position until released even with distractions present.
- “Down” Cue Part 2: Gains impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
- Socialization Outing Part 1 (Watching the World Go By): Socialization through gentle exposure to new public & environmental experiences in a safe and controlled way that helps your Pup become comfortable and remain well-mannered around people, other dogs & animals, new places, and different activities.
DESCRIPTION:
Ready…set…. Let’s go for a walk in the park where we will practice your pup’s loose leash walking skills admist stimulating new distractions like new people and dogs walking past, children playing, and food dropped on the ground just to name a few. With each new distraction, you will help your dog gain impulse control and maintain that nice loose leash at your side while walking past. With patience and practice, environmental distractions will simply become a cue for your loyal companion to make eye contact with you as if to say, “See, Mom! I’ve got this!”21. Touch Game
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Deliberately touches his nose to your open palm upon hearing the verbal cue “touch”, essentially acting as a target that your Pup is instructed to "touch" with his nose, often used as a basic training cue to gain your dog's focus, and control his movement by guiding him with the hand position.
PREREQUISITES:
None
DESCRIPTION:
The “touch” cue is a form of “nose targeting” inviting your Pup to deliberately touch his nose to your open hand, essentially acting as a target often used as a basic training cue to gain your Pup’s focus, and control his movement by guiding him with the hand position. Plus, “nose targeting” can be used to calm your Pup in stressful situations by providing a simple task to perform, and reinforces positive interactions between you and your canine companion.
22. Surface Sensitivity & Focus
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Will confidently explore a variety of unfamiliar surfaces and calmly maintain a “down” position for several minutes while gradually increasing your distance from him.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released,” and responds to verbal cue “down.”
- “Down” Cue Part 2: Gains impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
DESCRIPTION:
Prevent surface sensitivity anxiety before it starts! "Surface sensitivity" refers to your dog's discomfort or negative reaction to walking on certain textures or surfaces, like gravel, sand, polished floors, rough concrete, or even turf; it's important to address this by gradually exposing your dog to different surfaces, starting with ones he is comfortable with and slowly introducing more challenging textures, to help him become accustomed to a variety of environments without anxiety. Together, one paw at a time, will guide your Pup through a fun adventure of exploring a variety of unfamiliar surfaces and reward him with delicious treats and plenty of praise when he maintains a down position for several minutes while you gradually increase your distance from him. Then, we will slowly increase the variety and challenge of surfaces, one paw at a time, always observing your dog’s body language to ensure he is having a blast while mastering each new challenge!
23. "Down" Cue
Part 3
Hip Flips
TRAINING GOAL(S):
When cued “down” at your side, automatically flips his hips, positioning paws and body away from you; when cued “down” again, will flip his hips to the opposite side.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
DESCRIPTION:
Hip flips is a fantastic move that can be paired with the “down” cue, keeping those paws and tails safely out of the way in bustling public spaces. But even if you’re enjoying some quality time at home, hip flips are a super fun and engaging skill to learn together with your Pup! When you cue “down” at your side, watch as your Pup effortlessly flips those hips, positioning paws and body away from you. And for an even more impressive twist, stand in front of your Pup in the “down” position and “down” again. You'll be thrilled to see them flip over to the opposite side! Soon enough, you and your Pup will be the stars of the dog park!
24. "Bed" Cue
Part 3
TRAINING GOALS:
Will happily settle on bed for up to 2-hours with minimal food reinforcements in a variety of rooms with household distractions.
PREREQUISITES:- “Bed” Cue Part 1: Understands value of implied stay and settles on bed for up to 30-minutes.
- “Bed” Cue Part 2: Responds to verbal cue “bed”, and settles on bed for up to 1-hour with minimal reinforcements.
Get ready for some exciting progress! We are raising the criteria again with longer durations and more distractions! Your Pup will dash to their chill spot and automatically lay down upon hearing you give the verbal cue “Bed!” and remain there for a fantastic 2-hours with minimal food reinforcement and with common household distractions present. Now, let’s put this to the test by gradually increasing the distance from which you call out “bed,” especially when the doorbell rings! This will become your dog’s cue to zoom right to his “bed”!
25. "Back" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
The “back up” cue instructs you Pup to move backwards, essentially taking steps away from you; typically used as a redirection maneuver when he gets ahead while loose leash walking or navigate tight spaces by moving in reverse.
PREREQUISITES:
None
DESCRIPTION:
“Back up” is a cue that is usually practiced during loose leash walking and used as a redirection maneuver when he gets ahead while loose leash walking. Another use is maneuvering tight spaces, like an airplane aisle or to step away from an open door. Also, it can be a crucial cue to prevent accidents if your Pup is getting too close to a dangerous situation. Plus, teaching "back up" helps with polite behavior, like when he is getting too close to guests or other dogs; essentially, any time you need him to take a step back on cue. This is a fun and easy skill to teach while your Pup gets to earn some high value treats while also getting some healthy exercise in those hips!
26. Outings
Part 2
TRAINING GOAL(S):
will consistently maintain focus on you and confidently exhibit learned skills in busier public contexts in addition to the ability to settle quickly. </P
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 (Leash Cue Intro): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 1 (“Let’s Go”) Cue: Learn’s “let’s go” cue & remains next to you while walking with a loose leash & auto sits when you stop.
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
- Loose Leash Walking Part 2: Maintains loose leash walking position for long distances and in the presence of a few long-distance environmental distractions.
- Big Distractions Part 1 (Leash Anchoring): Understands that maintaining a loose leash and focus on you in the presence of approaching distractions equals positive reinforcement opportunities (ex. playtime with other dogs).
- “Sit” Cue Part 3 (Implied Stay): “Sits” on verbal cue and maintains position until released even with distractions present.
- “Down” Cue Part 2: Gains impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
- Socialization Outing Part 1 (Watching the World Go By): Socialization through gentle exposure to new public & environmental experiences in a safe and controlled way that helps your Pup become comfortable and remain well-mannered around people, other dogs & animals, new places, and different activities.
- Big Distractions Part 2 (Walking Past): Develop impulse control and maintain a loose leash while walking past various environmental distractions. These distractions will serve as cues to enhance focus and encourage eye contact with you.
DESCRIPTION:
Get excited! It’s “show boating” time! You Pup is eagerly exploring busier environments, gaining confidence with every step! Now, with a strong focus on you, your Pup will showcase known skills with pride in public settings! We will test your pup’s impulse control by practicing known skills in an unfamiliar public location with distractions present at a distance. When the show is over, watch as he happily settles down comfortably by your side, no matter where you go.
27. Tug of War Game
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Will immediately drop the toy when cued then automatically “sit” until “released” for another round of tug.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 3 (Implied Stay): “Sits” on verbal cue and maintains position until released even with distractions present.
- “Fetch” & “Drop” Cues: Retrieve a toy back to you and “drop” it when cued.
DESCRIPTION:
A "tug-of-war" game is a fun & entertaining way to teach your Pup to behave appropriately when toys are taken away and practice the "drop" & "release" cues by intentionally creating a tugging situation with a toy, then abruptly stopping the tugging motion and giving the cue word “drop,” instructing him to let go of the toy. His compliance is rewarded with praise & another round of tug when he drops the toy, automatically sits, and waits patiently for your “release” cue signaling another round of “tug-of-war.” Essentially, it's a controlled play scenario that helps your Pup learn to relinquish an object on cue and eagerly sit and wait for your “release” cue, making this an exhilarating and rewarding training experience!
28. "Under" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Will physically tuck underneath your legs or an object when you say "under" and give the corresponding leash or hand cue, and settle for short durations.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Down” Cue Part 1: Consistently offers a “down” position at your side with implied stay until cued “released”, and responds to verbal cue “down”.
- “Down” Cue Part 2: Gains impulse control to maintain down position with distractions for 10 minutes.
DESCRIPTION:
An "under" cue is an exciting way to engage your Pup! This fun verbal, leash, or hand cue encourages your Pup to tuck his body underneath objects like tables or your legs, inviting them to crawl or go low in style! It's a fantastic method for teaching your dog to expertly navigate tight spaces and dodge obstacles by going low when prompted. Imagine guiding your dog under furniture in a bustling room, skillfully maneuvering around obstacles on walks, or even impressing everyone during agility training as they dash under hurdles! We'll kick off with a low obstacle, gradually increasing the height as your dog masters the skill, showering them with treats and praise for every successful navigation!
#29 - #30
"Heel" & "Side" Cues
TRAINING GOAL(S):
- “Heel” & “Side” Cues Part 1: Comfortably steps onto the pivot bowl with front paws and follows food lure (steps) toward your right or left side without stepping off.
- “Heel” & “Side” Cues Part 2: Removing the food lure and hand cues allowing your Pup to offer a pivot into your right and left side as you step around the pivot bowl.
- “Heel” & “Side” Cues Part 3: : Learns “heel” & “side” leash cues & pivots into you on pivot bowl when given.
- “Heel” & “Side” Cues Part 4: Transfer “heel” & “side” leash cues to the ground (remove pivot bowl) and intro to verbal cues “heel” and “side”.
PREREQUISITES:
None
DESCRIPTION:
“Heel” & “Side” cues is an impressive skill to teach your dog and a fun challenge for him to master. The “Heel” & “Side” cues teach your Pup to keep pace as he walks side-by-side with you—unlike loose leash walking, which trains your dog to walk without pulling. With this training, your dog learns proper leash manners, and eventually, may even be able to walk alongside you off-leash.
“Pivoting” is the “gateway” training to a stellar “heel” and “side” cue. "Heel" means left side and "Side" means right side; both cues essentially signify a close walking position next to you, but on different sides depending on the cue used. By using "Side" as a separate cue from “Heel”, you can clearly communicate to your Pup when you want him to walk on the right side or walk on the left side.
Part 1: First, we will use a food lure to encourage your dog onto a non-slip upside down food bowl large enough for your dog to comfortably maneuver on. This is the starting point to begin shaping the behavior (“heel” & “side”) by marking and reinforcing when your dog steps onto the bowl. When he is consistently & confidently stepping onto the bowl, we will continue to use a food lure to guide your dog’s nose toward your hip on the opposite side of you, causing your Pup to pivot toward you. The goal is to food lure your dog to take a step sideways with his hind feet while his front feet remain on the pivot bowl. When your dog comfortably & confidently remains on the pivot bowl and is easily lured into a pivot, it’s time to move on to Part 2!
Part 2: Now that your Pup can be lured into successful pivot steps while his front feet remain on the pivot bowl, let’s raise the criteria by removing the food lure in place of using an empty hand cue. When he pivots into your side, he earns another delicious treat! Let’s raise the criteria again! Now, loose the hand cue. Instead, you will move your own feet around the food bowl and allow your Pup to voluntarily follow you (pivot towards you) while his front paws remain on top of the pivot bowl. No joke! With patience and practice, he can and will master this! When your Pup consistently offers to pivot toward you and targets your leg without requiring a food lure and/or hand cue, he is ready for Pivot 3!
Part 3: When your Pup consistently offers pivoting toward you as you step around the pivot bowl, he is ready to take on the next to last challenge! Grab the leash because your teammate is ready to learn the “heel” & “side” leash cues taking this to the next level of awesome! Your Pup will learn that when you gently lift upwards on the leash, just enough to take the slack out, that is his cue to follow you (pivot into you as you move around the bowl). “Gentle” is the key word for this exercise! When your Pup will consistently and confidently pivot using the leash cue as you step around the entire pivot bowl, he is ready to go pro!
Part 4: All of your hard work is about to come together! We are going to ditch the pivot bowl and take this skill to the ground! We’re going to step to the side and use the gentle leash cue that you learned in Part 3, to cue your dog to pivot into that nice, tight, square position at your side. When he gets the hang of that, we will add the verbal cues “heel” & “side”!
Use the "heel" or “side” cue whenever you want your dog to walk calmly by your side, maintaining close proximity, especially in situations with distractions like crowded areas, when passing other people or dogs, crossing streets, or any time you need your dog to be focused and under control on the leash; essentially, it signifies that you want your dog to walk directly next to you with a loose leash. Congrats! You did it!
31. "Stand" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Learns the kick back stand technique, where the front feet remain stationary while the hind feet step backward into a standing position upon hearing the verbal cue “stand.”
PREREQUISITES:
- “Back Up” Cue: The “back up” cue instructs you Pup to move backwards, essentially taking steps away from you; typically used as a redirection maneuver when he gets ahead while loose leash walking or navigate tight spaces by moving in reverse.
DESCRIPTION:
You Pup is going to master the “kick back stand” cue, keeping his front paws still while stepping back with his back paws into a fantastic stand. Plus, he will promptly respond to the verbal cue “stand”. The “stand” cue helps during bath time, brushing sessions, cleaning your dog’s paws when they come inside on a snowy or rainy day, and putting your dog’s equipment on without him wiggling or backing away. And think about how helpful it will be for veterinary exams. Rather than collapsing or trying to escape from the table, you can ask your dog to stand still while the vet checks him over. Many of your day-to-day interactions with your dog can run more smoothly if he understands what you expect him to do, and the “stand” cue is no exception. Plus, it’s great exercise and a fun trick to show off at the dog park!
"Roll" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Learns verbal cue “roll”, and responds by rolling over onto his back or side from a lying down position.
DESCRIPTION:
Thanks to the “down” cue and hip flips, which your Pup learned in the 101 & 102 Pet Parenting Courses, he is super primed to easily “roll” into this next big skill! The "roll" cue instructs your Pup to roll over onto his back or side, typically from a lying down position, until “released”, a useful maneuver in specific situations such as grooming & nail trimming, or simply an adorable trick he performs in pursuit of earning some positive reinforcement! Cute overload guaranteed!
32. "It's Your Choice Game"
Part 2
TRAINING GOAL(S):
While taking walks or out in public, holds position and resists the urge to snatch food off the ground or out of your hand without requiring a “leave it” cue; plus continues to develop understanding that eye contact focus and impulse control equals positive reinforcement.
PREREQUISITES:
- It’s Your Choice Game Part 1: At home, holds position and resists the urge to snatch food off the floor or out of your hand without requiring a “leave it” cue; plus continues to develop understanding that eye contact focus and impulse control equals positive reinforcement.
DESCRIPTION:
We’re raising the bar with “It’s Your Choice Game Part 2” by taking this game for a walk! Training your dog to ignore food dropped or found on the ground while taking walks, even without a “leave it” cue, is a huge & comforting step towards ensuring your Pup’s safety, well-being, and good manners! It empowers him to avoid potentially harmful items like dropped food, trash, or even hazardous substances while on walks, teaching him to always ask for your permission before indulging in any dropped ground goodies. Not only does this keep your Pup safe from sneaky toxins like medications and cleaning products, but it also helps prevent pesky tummy troubles from random snacks! Plus, it promotes hygiene in public spaces—what a win! Mastering this skill is a thrilling leap toward enhanced eye contact, focus and impulse control, giving you the confidence to handle any situation with your furry walking companion. So, let’s keep those walks worry free!
33. "Shake" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
When verbally cued “shake”, will lift his paw and place it in your hand, essentially mimicking a handshake.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
DESCRIPTION:
The "shake" cue is a fun trick used to instruct your dog to lift his paw and place it in your hand, essentially mimicking a handshake. When meeting or greeting people, asking for a "shake" can be a fun way to show off your Pup’s skills; encourage positive interaction with others, and demonstrate polite behavior. Or, cue him to "shake" while you clean his wet muddy paws when he comes in from the rain or a bath. Your Pup will appreciate the rewards of learning and maintaining this adorable skill.
34. "Wait" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Upon hearing the verbal cue “wait”, will pause or stop his current movement and stay put until “released”; typically used to prevent rushing doorways, jumping or grabbing for his food bowl, pulling ahead during walks, and exiting the car before cued to do so. it signifies a temporary hold, unlike a "stay" which implies maintaining a position for a longer duration.
PREREQUISITES:
- Doorway Manners: Waits for your permission to move through an open doorway & has a thorough understanding of "release" cue.
DESCRIPTION:
The "wait" cue is used whenever you want your dog to pause momentarily before taking an action. Examples include asking him to "wait" before opening the door to prevent them from rushing out; before placing their food bowl down to avoid jumping or grabbing; before getting out of the car to ensure they stay seated until you give the okay; and if he pulls ahead during walks say "wait" to regain control. The “wait” cue is essentially asking him to hold back until you give the “release” cue, signifying that it's okay for him to proceed. It's a temporary pause, unlike a "stay" which implies holding a position for a longer duration. Plus, incorporating the "wait" cue between different training steps helps to build your Pup’s focus and patience. Your Pup will happily stop in his tracks upon hearing the verbal cue “wait” and appreciate the positive reinforcements that follow.
35. "Paws Up" & "Off" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Places his front paws on a designated object (ex. platform, box, or hand) when given the verbal cue "paws up" and holds position until cued “off”.PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 1 (Reinforcement Zone): Offers automatic “sits” at your side (reinforcement zone) as well as responds to verbal cue “sit”.
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 (Leash Cue Intro): Follows leash cues into a full circle tight auto sit at your side.
DESCRIPTION:
The “Paws up" cue instructs your Pup to place his front paws on a designated object, like a platform, box, or even your hand, when given the verbal cue "paws up"; essentially telling him to target that specific spot with his front paws. This trick builds coordination and balance as well as helps your dog develop better control over his paws and body placement. The "paws up" command can be used in many situations, including: to get your dog's attention when you need him to focus on you; preventing jumping on people or furniture unless invited; to aid with basic obedience by teaching targeting; to aid with grooming; to help lift your dog onto tables or into vehicles; to help build confidence, and of course, for adorable photo poses. It’s also a fun trick that can be used as a stepping stone to teach other behaviors like jump, targeting or staying on a specific spot.36. "Visit Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Upon hearing the verbal cue “visit”, contently rests his chin on your lap and stays there until you say "off".
PREREQUISITES:
- “Paws Up” & “Off” Cues: Places his front paws on a designated object (ex. platform, box, or hand) when given the verbal cue "paws up" and holds position until cued “off.”
- “It’s Your Choice Game” Part 1: At home, holds position and resists the urge to snatch food off the floor or out of your hand without requiring a “leave it” cue; plus continues to develop understanding that eye contact focus and impulse control equals positive reinforcement.
- “It’s Your Choice Game Part 2: While taking walks or out in public, holds position and resists the urge to snatch food off the ground or out of your hand without requiring a “leave it” cue; plus continues to develop understanding that eye contact focus and impulse control equals positive reinforcement.
DESCRIPTION:
It’s TLC time with the “visit” cue! The “visit” cue encourages your Pup to place his chin on your lap, creating a perfect moment for him to say “Hi” to you, & while meeting new people. This sweet gesture not only promotes relaxation, but it's also a fantastic way to help your dog feel calm in overwhelming situations. Plus, it makes grooming and vet visits a breeze! Even better this cue strengthens the trust between you and your adorable companion, showing that he feels safe and ready to follow your lead. Your heart will absolutely melt as your Pup gazes lovingly into your eyes, enjoying every moment of petting and affection!
TRAINING GOALS:
Promptly responds to verbal cue “jump” by confidently jumping onto the leash cued object with all 4 paws until cued “off”.
PREREQUISITES:
- “Sit” Cue Part 2 - Leash Cues: Follows slight leash cues.
- “Up” & “Off” Cues: Confidently responds to “up” cue by placing front paws on a variety of surfaces and heights.
- Surface Sensitivity: Confidently performs known skills on a variety of surfaces.
DESCRIPTION:
Exciting Highlights of Teaching a "Jump" Cue starts with taming that jumping energy! With a fun jump cue, you can channel your pup's excitement to specific & appropriate moments and places, keeping them from jumping on people uninvited! It’s also a confidence booster & good exercise! A well-taught "jump" cue empowers your dog to leap over various heights and distances with ease and clarity, making every jump an adventure! As always, using positive reinforcement to teach the "jump" cue transforms training into a joyful experience, with treats and praise when he leaps on cue! Plus, teaching tricks like jumping not only hones skills but deepens the connection between you and your best fur-friend through focused training and joyful moments together.
38. "Car" & "Off" Cues
PREREQUISITES:
- “Jump” Cue: Confidently jumps onto a variety of surfaces and remains until cued “off”.
- “Up” & “Off” Cue:Places front paws on an elevated object when cued “up” and remains until cued “off”.
Jumps into vehicle on verbal cue “car” and remains until cued “off”.
DESCRIPTION:The "Car" cue is used to communicate to your dog that he is about to enter a car, prompting him to behave appropriately, like getting into his designated spot calmly and staying settled while riding; essentially, you’re going to teach your pooch to anticipate entering the car and settle down once inside, minimizing distractions and potential anxiety. It's a way to prepare him for the car environment and signal that a specific set of behaviors is expected.
39. "Lap" Cue
TRAINING GOAL(S):
Gently places both of his elbows across your lap, and contently stays put until cued “off.”PREREQUISITES:
- . “Paws Up” & “Off” Cues: Places his front paws on a designated object (ex. platform, box, or hand) when given the verbal cue "paws up" and holds position until cued “off”.
- “Visit” Cue: Upon hearing the verbal cue “visit”, happily places his chin on your lap and stays there until you say "off".
DESCRIPTION:
The “lap” cue instructs your dog to place both of his legs gently across your lap, and stay there in a calm position until cued “off”. It is a self-rewarding trick that encourages polite behavior when seeking attention from you or meeting new people. It discourages jumping up on people by providing a designated way to greet with physical contact. It builds focus by requiring your dog to pay attention to your cue while maintaining a clam posture, and is a cute and fun trick to show off and bond with your furry friend. You can bet it won’t take long to fade out the food reinforcement in place of physical attention and verbal praise that your dog longs for from his adored pet parent. It doesn’t get better then that!