Thursday, May 29, 2008

"Under"

What you will need:

a clicker - I use the i-click because the button is really easy to push no matter how you are holding it on.

treats - I use portion of Keisha's kibble for that day. That way she won't gain extra weight. If your dog is not interested in their regular food, you can use other treats.

a chair - You can use a chair, or any other object that your dog can fit under.

Once you have everything you need, place the chair in a place where it is easily accessible for all sides. Sit on the floor, holding the clicker in one hand and make sure the treats are within easy reach. I usually put them in a cup by my side, out of Keisha's view.

Call your dog over, and put a treat under the chair. As soon as your dog puts it's head under the chair click. This will show your dog right from the beginning what you what them to focus their attention on. Some people would rather sit around and wiat for their dog to figure this out for themselves, but it can take a long time if the dog has no idea what you are expecting of them.

Next, I pick up a piece of kibble (or treat), and hold it under the chair. When your dog puts it's head under the chair click immediately and give them the treat. Each time your dog puts it's head under the chair, wait until a bit more of their body is under it before clicking and giving them a treat. Once they are putting their whole body under the chair you can do one of two things.

You could start adding the command "under" as your dog goes under the chair. To do this I say "under" just before the click, then give the treat. Some people say the word after the click, but saying it right before the click works best for Keisha. If you use this method, once your dog understnads the command "under", you can gradually phase out the click and treat. Once you get to this stage, when your dog goes "under" you can put them in a down, stay.

If you want your dog to do a "down" automatically like I do, you can use this method. When your dog is putting it's whole body under the chair, if you wait beofre clicking, they will probably try to lay down. Wait until they start to do a "down" and click. When they are going "under" and laying down for you, start adding the command "under". Again, you can do this right before the click and treat. Pretty soon, when given the command "under" your dog will go under the chair, and lay down. At this point, you can phase out the click and treat and you have successfully taught your dog to do an "under"!

You can put your dog in a stay once they are "under", and even give them a favorite chew toy or bone to chew on while they are under a chair, or even a table. This can come in handy when you have company, and there are a lot of people in a room because it keeps your dog safe from being stepped on, and your guests won't have to step over your dog to move arounf the room. Your dog will also probably be happier than they normally would be when guests come to visit because they will be part of the group, instead of having to stay in another room, or in their crate.

1 comments:

Lindsey May 30, 2008 at 10:10 AM  

Thanks for the creative way of dog training with a chair! I never thought about teaching my Cavalier King Charles the command "Under", but I'm going to go get some of his favorite dog treats and try this out!

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