WEEK THREE
Finish the following guide to complete your Green Belt Rank:
Welcome to Beginner Obedience as a Doggie Dojo Dog Ninja. Through this course, we will start to work through your dog's foundation behaviors. This guide is a summary of each skill you must learn to earn your Green Belt Rank.
During class we will be primarily practicing and refining each skill. You must make sure to study each skill before class.
During class we will be primarily practicing and refining each skill. You must make sure to study each skill before class.
Before Class Three, please do the following:
TOY TRAINING
CHASE
LEASH SKILLS - REINFORCEMENT ZONE
Take the leash in one hand and treats in the other hand. Ideally, Have the treats on the same side as the dog. Patiently wait for your dog to line up next to your leg. As soon as they line up, even for a second, then say "Yes" and then reward.
WAIT AT DOOR
Step 1- Begin to open the door. If your dog starts to move to go out, close the door. Without repeating the command, begin to open the door again. If your dog starts to move to go out, close the door again. Repeat this action, without giving the command.
Step 2- Once your dog is staying back at the door, tell your dog, “Wait” in a cheerful tone of voice. At first, remember to only open the door a few inches so your dog can’t rush out. As your dog gets better, you can then open the door a little more.
Step 3- Once your dog waits while the door opens fully, then you can say "FREE" and let the dog go through the door.
Step 2- Once your dog is staying back at the door, tell your dog, “Wait” in a cheerful tone of voice. At first, remember to only open the door a few inches so your dog can’t rush out. As your dog gets better, you can then open the door a little more.
Step 3- Once your dog waits while the door opens fully, then you can say "FREE" and let the dog go through the door.
LEAVE IT
Step 1- Place a treat in your hand. When your dog shows interest in your hand, hold it still and say, “Leave it.” If necessary, close your hand to keep your dog from getting the treat, but don’t move your hand away.
Step 2- As soon as your dog pulls away or loses interest, say “Yes”, then treat from your other hand. Use a treat as good as or better than the one you asked your dog to leave alone
Step 3- Place treats on a dining table, coffee table, or counter. Stay within arm’s length so you can cover up the treats if needed. You can place them on a plate to imitate real life.
Step 4- When your dog shows interest tell him, “Leave it.” If he looks away or hesitates, say “Yes” and reward him with a separate treat. If he goes for the food, say, “Ah-ah” (a No Reward Mark) and cover up the food. When he stops trying to get at it, mark and reward.
Step 5- Place treats on the floor and Repeat steps 3 & 4.
Step 2- As soon as your dog pulls away or loses interest, say “Yes”, then treat from your other hand. Use a treat as good as or better than the one you asked your dog to leave alone
Step 3- Place treats on a dining table, coffee table, or counter. Stay within arm’s length so you can cover up the treats if needed. You can place them on a plate to imitate real life.
Step 4- When your dog shows interest tell him, “Leave it.” If he looks away or hesitates, say “Yes” and reward him with a separate treat. If he goes for the food, say, “Ah-ah” (a No Reward Mark) and cover up the food. When he stops trying to get at it, mark and reward.
Step 5- Place treats on the floor and Repeat steps 3 & 4.
DURATION STAYS
Step 1- Stand in front of your dog. Tell your dog, “Sit” or “Down” in a cheerful tone of voice, pause for a second, then say “Yes” and treat. Repeat a couple of times to get your dog into the game. Play this until your dog can stay into position for 10-20 seconds. Now it is time to add the verbal.
Step 2- Now tell your dog to “Stay”, pause for a second, give the stay hand signal: Hand out in front of you, palm facing dog and take a small step back with both feet. Pause here for one second (one-one-thousand). Return to your original position. Praise and treat. Repeat several times.
Step 3- Slowly increase the number of seconds you wait before you return to your original position. Remember to praise and treat each successful try.
(Note that we don’t add distance now. This exercise is for learning duration, and we start at kindergarten level to make it easy and fun for your dog.)
Step 4- Eventually, you will be able to wait for a considerable time before you return to your original position. When you can stand 1-2 feet away for 1-2 minutes without your dog getting up, it is time to work on the second component of stay—distance.
Step 2- Now tell your dog to “Stay”, pause for a second, give the stay hand signal: Hand out in front of you, palm facing dog and take a small step back with both feet. Pause here for one second (one-one-thousand). Return to your original position. Praise and treat. Repeat several times.
Step 3- Slowly increase the number of seconds you wait before you return to your original position. Remember to praise and treat each successful try.
(Note that we don’t add distance now. This exercise is for learning duration, and we start at kindergarten level to make it easy and fun for your dog.)
Step 4- Eventually, you will be able to wait for a considerable time before you return to your original position. When you can stand 1-2 feet away for 1-2 minutes without your dog getting up, it is time to work on the second component of stay—distance.
