Rear End Awareness:
Teaching the Dog to be Comfortable on the Target
Dogs are not great about understanding where their back ends are. By using a target we can help them figure it out.
Choosing Your Target
Select a non-slip target that your dog will be able to distinguish from the floor around it. A raised target is generally easier for your dog to figure out than one that is flat.
Tools:
- Platform or other surface that your dog can distinguish from the floor.
- Treats
- Treat pouch
- Clicker
Steps:
- Lure your dog until he/she has front feet on the target platform.
- Click and treat.
- Now lure your dog until only back feet are on the platform.
- Click and lure your dog off the platform.
- Do this about three times.
- Next, lure your dog over the target until his/her back feet are on the platform.
- Click and treat in position.
- Click and lure your dog off the platform.
- Gradually extend the time by not clicking until your dog is comfortable standing with his/her back feet stationary on the target.