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I have a couple props, a non slip surface, and blessings from my vet.
Now you can exercise your dog!
When do I reward my dog? When can I start increasing criteria when I'm doing a canine conditioning exercise with my dog? Which exercise do I do first? There're so many fun things!! Start with either the foot targeting or the posture sit, stand, down video tutorials in the FREE Intro program.
I would not name conditioning behaviors. This is not obedience. Mark and reward when your dog meets criteria, which will change as you progress. (Keep reading, I explain later.) Conditioning is based on luring and reward placement. However, verbal commands are helpful. If your dog likes to offer a down, giving a stand command may be helpful. I have a back up command to encourage rear foot targeting.
Do 2-3 exercises a day, no more than 10 minutes. Remember to reduce your dog's food portions at mealtimes or feed breakfast or dinner kibble during conditioning sessions.
We don't want pudgy pups.
First 1-4 weeks conditioning:
You and your dog are in the LEARNING PHASE of conditioning. You will not be perfect. Your dog will not be perfect. Your dog may not have the body awareness or strength yet to hold posture.
That's why you're doing this right? We're going to help your dog get there.
Video your sessions. You don't have to share them with anyone (but you can), you do need to review them. What position was your dog in? How can you adjust your reward placement to improve? Were your props too far apart? Too close? Did your dog have enough space to do the exercise correctly? Do you need to move closer or further away from your dog?
These are some things to adjust to set up your pup for success next time.
Lower your criteria. You're learning where to reward, your dog has never seen a foot target or a platform, and they don't know what you're asking.
Did your dog put their paws on the target? Yes? Yay!! Reward your dog!!
Did your dog keep their paws on the target? Yes? Reward your dog!!
Did your dog sit from a stand on the platform? or down from a stand? Yes? Reward your dog!!
First 5-6 weeks conditioning:
We can start to raise our criteria now. Your dog has acclimated to the props and you have more experience with prop set up and reward placement.
Did your dog put their paws on the foot target? Yes? Good!! Now we are adding criteria: Are your dog's elbows over their wrists? Yes? Reward your dog!!
No? Elbows not over the wrists? Lure your dog forward or backward until the elbows are over the wrists and reward there. Your dog will learn what posture you want. Be consistent with your reward placement.
Are your dog's rear paws on the target? Yes? Good!! Adding criteria: Are their hocks vertical? Yes? Reward your dog!!
Hocks not vertical? Adjust your reward placement or prop set up until they are. Your dog should be starting to improve muscle tone.
Your dog gets rewarded for proper posture. But their human needs to set up the props and lure correctly. This is where the mirror and the video review come in.
Continue to gradually increase your criteria until your dog is 85% accurate.
All the Arrows in this photo are points where Nike met criteria on the pivot pod. First I wanted her elbows over her wrists. I wasn't concerned with anything else. Then I wanted her elbows over her wrists AND her ankles vertical. Her level muzzle has a lot to do with my reward placement. Don't ask for everything at once. You will get frustrated. Focus on one criteria at a time.
Every dog is different. The time frames above are estimates, adjust these time frames to your individual dog.
A few months after conditioning:
Now you've developed a conditioning habit! Congratulations!!
You and your dog are successful about 85% of the time on your form. Now you can make things more challenging!!
Now what?
Check out Part 3: Increasing Difficulty
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