canine freestyle moves database
teaching position using a rectangular platform
using two platforms
Goal: Dog learns the names of each position.
By now the dog should have a huge history of reinforcement for being in any one of the three positions under consideration and be used to not only seeing you in those positions but being able to mount the single platform and put himself in those positions. Even if you have been using the position cue word, it is still the platform that is prompting him to place himself in the various positions correctly, and with only the one platform present the dog has not had to make any decisions, so he should have got it right every time.
Before moving on with this, the dog should be willingly and consistently mounting the single platform to place himself in the correct heel position from all points around the compass.
Set up two platforms, side-by-side, so that you can stand between them in such a way that will put the dog in precise position.
When you let the dog into the training area and he mounts a platform, click, then treat and position yourself between the platforms such that the dog will be in correct “heel” and “side” positions when on the respective position platforms.
If you want, you can toss out a treat to reset the dog, ie the dog goes out, gets the treat and returns to mount a platform.
For the purpose of this page, so that the text can be specific, let’s assume the dog mounted the “heel” (left side) platform.
Keeping perfectly still, withhold the click and wait for the dog to move to the other platform. When he gets there, click, then treat and give several C/T.
Withhold the click.
The dog should move back to the first platform.
A few sessions like this will create “a platform hopping monster” as Michele puts it. That is the dog will move into a new position with enthusiasm as long as you keep up a high rate of reinforcement.
If your dog will not move to the other platform, use some hand movement to prompt the dog to go to the other platform. C/T once he is in position on the other platform.
When you have two platforms, side by side, and the dog mounts a platform, when you withhold the click the dog will move to the other platform.
Apology: This video is not a good example of an enthusiastic, energetic, “platform hopping” dog, but you get the idea.
Whichever platform the dog has mounted click and reward that. Then on withholding the click and the dog moves to the other platform, click and reward that. You are still building a huge reward history for being on the platform and being in correct position.
Two Platforms Side by Side No Cues
When the dog is reliably “hopping” from one platform to the other, you can start to introduce the cue.
When you see the dog leaves a platform and is moving to the other platform, say your cue word. You don’t want to say the cue word too early just in case the dog does not go to the other platform.
With the dog on the heel position platform, keeping perfectly still, give the verbal cue for the “side” (right side) heel position and withhold the click. Withholding the click is likely to make the dog move to the other platform and take up the correct position. Click, then treat.
Once the dog is in correct position you can rapidly C/T for being in position, thus reinforcing being in position.
Two Platforms Heel Side with Cues
When you are ready, give the verbal cue for the “heel” position and withhold the click. Withholding the click is likely to make the dog move to the heel position platform and take up the correct position. Click, then treat.
Repeat this platform hopping game for a few training sessions so that the dog can experience choosing the other platform and moving into the other position with energy and enthusiasm.
At this stage the “other platform” is still a visual cue for moving after you have given a verbal cue and withheld the click, but the dog is hearing the words and the environment is enabling him to respond correctly. Through habituation he will learn the positions in relation to your body targets.
Using two platforms practice the following:
Two Platforms Front - Heel With Cues
Two Platforms Front - Side With Cues