Settle: Changing Positions & Location
TOOLS:
- Clicker
- Treats
- Treat pouch
- Mat
TRAINING ENVIRONMENT: Start in a low distraction environment, but you’ll be moving throughout your home as your dog learns.
RECOMMENDED TREAT POSITION: Toss the treats off the mat.
STEPS:
Moving the Mat
- Show your dog the mat and place it on the floor. He should be going to it and lying down without being prompted.
- Click and toss a treat so he has to move away from the mat.
- While he is getting the treat move the mat a few inches.
- Let him return to the mat and click and toss the treat and move the mat.
- Move the mat around your home a few inches at a time
.
Moving yourself in relation to the mat
- Place the mat on the floor.
- Turn your body slightly so you are not directly facing the mat.
- If your dog goes to the mat click and treat after he lies down.
- If your dog does not go to the mat, make your position a little less pronounced and work up until you are able to stand with the mat at your side.
- Once he’s doing well with you not facing the mat, begin moving farther away from the mat. Move a few inches at a time – don’t move to fast.
- Click and treat for downs on the mat.
HOMEWORK:
- PUPPIES: Five to ten repetitions, two to three times a day
- DOGS: Do at least ten repetitions, three times each day. .
AT THE END OF THIS STEP:
- Your dog should be going to the mat in several places around your home.
- Your dog should be going to the mat even when you’re not standing right at the mat facing it.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
My dog lays down in front of me, not on the mat.
- Practice moving the mat around the room more.
- Make smaller movements in your relationship to the mat.