Ok, its raining outside again for the past five days. I want to
train my young pup, but what can I do, I feel we're both stuck
inside and bored.
Break out the pause table. Or keep one in your living room as a
continuous fixture as we do. The pause table is a magical
training box that brings out the best in sit stays, down stays,
"Go" and "Come".
Building your "Go Table": develop your distance
from the table in small increments, send your dog to the table
as you move further and further away from the table, wind your
way into other rooms. Follow your dog to the table at a
distance, always staying behind him.
Get a second table so that you have two pause tables that you
can use at the same time. Start with the tables about 10 feet
apart. Send your dog to one of the tables, "Go Table, practice
sit stay, you move to the opposite side of the other table,
call your dog to the table, "Come Table". Build distance by
moving the tables apart and into other rooms.
Setup two chairs like a jump, but don't use a jump bar. Have
your dog go between the two chairs like jump uprights. Practice
with your dog at different angles to the chairs and different
distances. Use four or more chairs and have your dog weave
between them. You may need to start on leash until your dog
gets the idea of weaving with the chairs.
Practice your directional commands around sofas or stuffed
chairs. Starting with your dog on leash walk up to the end of
the sofa, use your "Out" command, with the leash guide your dog
away to one side of the sofa, while you walk on the other side.
Make sure you work your dog on both of your sides, sending your
dog "Out" from your left side and then "Out" from your right
side. Practice with different pieces of furniture and at varied
distances.
About The Author: Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by
Carlson. For more training details, visit our website at
www.carlson-agility.com.
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