This list contains our most frequently taught behaviors. If something doesn’t have a link, that means we are in the process of uploading a blog post or how-to video. Check back often for updates.

Behaviors

• Come When Called (Recall)
  • An easy way to get dogs to come back without using a cue
  • Emergency recall – using a whistle
    • Step 1 (pairing the whistle with good stuff)
    • Step 2 (adding distance)
    • Step 3 (adding longer distance)
    • Step 4 (distance and distraction at a new location)
• Down
• Drop it
  • Step 1 (teaching the cue and practicing up close)
  • Step 2 (working on the cue outside, short distance)
  • Step 3 (dog leaves the item, reinforcement happens at the handler)
• Engage / Disengage
  • Step 1 (practicing the mechanics without a real trigger present)
  • Step 2 (working around triggers at a distance or intensity level where your dog does not react)
  • Step 3 (working in a less predictable environment like the park, when your dog is ready)
• Hand Target (“touch”):
  • Step 1 (teaching it)
  • Step 2 (adding distance or distraction)
  • Step 3 (practicing outside off of a distraction)
• Leash Skills
  • Step 1 (building the behavior)
  • Step 2 (moving forward)
  • Step 3 (advanced – working around distractions)
  • 123 pattern game for changing direction
  • Ready? Get it! attention game on leash
  • Using penalty yards when dogs try to yank ahead
  • Using slack in the leash to dictate moving or stopping
  • Leash biting – what to do
• Leave It
• Name Game
  • Step 1 (building associations)
  • Step 2 (adding distraction, keeping distance short)
  • Step 3 (adding distance with some distraction)
  • Step 4 (distance with distraction in safe environment)
• Polite greetings
  • “Go say hi” using a hand target with guests coming in your home
  • Treat bomb – best used by family members
  • “Go say hi” using a hand target when approaching people on a walk
  • Heel and then sit at handler’s side when approaching people
    • Step 1 (teaching sit at side)
    • Step 2 (dog knows the behavior and is ready to approach people)
• Reinforcing attention off-leash
• Settling
• Sit
• Sit to Say Please
  • Step 1 (building the behavior inside, low distractions)
  • Step 2 (working on it outside, additional movement)
  • Step 3 (moving around like crazy!)
  • How to safely play when kids are involved
• Treat Bomb
• Wait at the Door
  • Step 1 (introducing the cue)
  • Step 2 (adding distance and distraction)
  • Using play as the reward instead of food
  • Using both food and the opportunity to go outside as the reward
• Work to Play Tug (implementing drop it and take it)

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Management & Enrichment

• Food Puzzles & Chews
• Window Film
  • Reduce barking at passersby
• Tethering
• SniffSpot Favorite Locations