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I started two new skills with Flip today. The first is a paw touch, in case I decide that I want to do a touch based go out with him. So I brought a stanchion inside and I'm having him slap it for his dinner. I'm not sure I'll end up using it on go outs with him, but I want him to already know that behavior if that is how I decide to go with it later on.
I'm also teaching him to run through a chute. That way later on I can put a chute out in order to make sure he is lining up with me at a distance on returns (in hopes of making it easier to get a straight front). I'm using broad jump boards turned on their sides now so they'll be obvious for him; later on I'll change to smaller and smaller items.
I'm shaping both of these things with a clicker.
I sure wish I would have known to train small things like this early in my other dogs' training. I don't think I trained pieces of anything with them until I was ready to start teaching the actual exercise it would be needed for.
I'm also teaching him to run through a chute. That way later on I can put a chute out in order to make sure he is lining up with me at a distance on returns (in hopes of making it easier to get a straight front). I'm using broad jump boards turned on their sides now so they'll be obvious for him; later on I'll change to smaller and smaller items.
I'm shaping both of these things with a clicker.
I sure wish I would have known to train small things like this early in my other dogs' training. I don't think I trained pieces of anything with them until I was ready to start teaching the actual exercise it would be needed for.