Saturday, February 20, 2010

Training Levels 2

I'm comfortable with Dare's ability to do all the skills in training levels 1. So, we're going to move on to level 2. These are the skills we will be working on.

COME: The dog comes from 40’ away with no more than two cues (voice, body language, or hand signal). The dog may be left on a Stay or held by someone else. The dog must come close enough to catch without moving. A “Front” is not necessary.

CRATE: Dog enters crate with no more than two cues (vocal, body language, or hand signals), remains in crate while handler closes/opens door, no vocalizing or pawing.

DISTANCE: Dog goes around a pole from a distance of 2’ with no more than two cues.

DOWN: Dog Downs from Sit on one cue only. The handler may use the dog’s name to get her attention before a voice cue. This behaviour must be done with no treats or clicker anywhere in the room or area. (This is a "blue behaviour": it must be tested with no treats or clicker on you or near you. In fact, not in the same ROOM.)

DOWNSTAY: Dog Downs and stays while partner walks 20’ away and back. Partner may give extra cues while away. An official “return” is not required.

GO TO MAT: Dog goes to, gets on a mat, dog bed, hammock, or pause table from 5’ away, 2 cues only - two voice cues, or a voice cue and body language, etc.

HANDLING: Dog allows the handler to handle his ears, tail, and feet. This may be done on a table or on the floor. There must be minimal fussing.

LEASH: Handler stands in one spot with the dog on a loose leash. The dog keeps the lead loose for 60 seconds with one distraction. Handler may talk to the dog and use any loose leash cues, but may NOT give cues to Watch, Heel, Sit, Down, Stand, or Stay. This behaviour is about testing Loose Leash as a default behaviour.

SIT: The dog Sits from Stand on one cue only. The handler may use the dog’s name to get her attention before a voice cue. (This behaviour must be tested with no food or clicker on the handler or anywhere nearby.)

SITSTAY: Dog Sits and Stays while partner walks 20’ away and back. Partner may give extra cues while away. An official “return” is not required.

STAND: Dog Stands from a Sit or Down with no more than two cues - two voice cues, or a voice cue and body language, or body language and a hand signal, or voice cue and hand signal, etc.

STANDSTAY: Dog remains standing without moving her feet for 10 seconds. Partner may or may not leave the dog’s side. This exercise may be done beside the dog or in front of the dog.

TARGET: Dog touches the marked END of a touch stick with her nose with only one voice cue. Naturally, presentation of the stick is a second cue.

TRICKS: Dog performs a trick of the partner’s choice. It may be very simple.

WATCH: Dog finds partner’s face and holds eye contact for 10 seconds with no more than two voice cues. No body language or touching other than looking at the dog.

ZEN: Dog stays off a treat in the handler’s hand for 5 seconds and off a treat on couch or chair for 10 seconds. No more than two cues for each behaviour, handler cannot guard the treat to keep it safe. Intent is to present the treat at nose level.

Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it. LOL Not really. I think this will be fun. Some of these skills are going to be totally new for us and others are going to be nice refreshers to things we've worked on in the past. Anyway, I'll try to keep a good record of our progress...

2 comments:

  1. Wow! Katie is 3 years old and has been in school most of that time and I don't think SHE can do all those things! Good luck and have fun! :)

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  2. Well I have to say that most of my older dogs wouldn't pass everything either. Nice to be able to have something as a guide though for the younsters. It's amazing to me how much they are capable of learning.

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