Puppy Curriculum Lesson 1
Homework
Charging clicker
This should be done in an environment without distractions.
Click before reaching the pouch for treats.
Throw treat on the floor near the dog.
Click/Treat in a set of 5-10 fast repetitions and pause.
Repeat 3-5 sets and test for understanding.
Touch
“Ready” and treat to start exercise.
Place hand (fingers pointing down, palm vertical) 10cm from dog’s nose.
Click/Treat when dog nose touches hand. Toss treat onto floor to reset.
Repeat 8-10 reps.
End with “Finish” and Treat.
When the dog has learnt the behavior, add a verbal cue “Touch”.
Look
Place treat in left fist as a distraction, and raise left fist (with treat) to chest level.
Click/Treat when dog looks into eyes. Toss treat onto floor to reset.
Repeat 8-10 reps.
Increase level of distractions (by lightly shaking left fist) to reset as the dog learns to look at your eyes.
End with “Finish” and Treat.
When the dog has learnt the behavior, add a verbal cue “Look”.
Progress to higher level of distractions with more people in the room, or with other handlers doing the exercise.
Luring in a straight line
There are two ways to move: Backwards (palm face front) and Forwards (palm face back).
Practice Backwards first. Hold treat in hand with thumb grip. Face the dog and move backwards, with palm facing forward at the level of dog’s mouth. When dog follows the lure, “Yes” and treat into mouth.
Luring to Sit
When the head lifts, the butt drops.
Stand in front of your dog and hold a treat (lure) near the face. Lift the lure above the dog’s head.
Click/Treat when the butt touches the ground. Toss the treat nearby on the floor to reset.
Repeat 8-10 reps.
End with “Finish” and Treat.
When the dog has learnt the behavior, add a verbal cue “Sit”.
Cooperative Care
Introduction to cooperative care: Brushing fur, Cleaning paw, Tooth Brushing, Injections
The principle is to introduce the procedure slowly by breaking it into 5-10 steps. Expose the tool or procedure by Sight, Sound and Touch. Pair the scary thing with rewards! The scarier the thing is, the higher value the reward should be. Increments must be slow and below threshold.