dog sports essentials Archives - Karen Pryor Academy https://karenpryoracademy.com/tag/dog-sports-essentials/ Karen Pryor Academy Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:20:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Teaching a Release Cue https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-release-cue/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-release-cue/#respond Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:46:16 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=11522 As important as it is to teach your dog basic behaviors such as “sit” and “stay,” it’s equally as important to teach a release cue to let the dog know when he can release from his current position. Not only a useful training tool, a solid release cue can save your dog’s life. Use a release cue before going over a threshold, like through a doorway, out of a crate, or out of a vehicle. A release cue is also extremely useful for dog sports, as it builds a solid start line as well as clarity and confidence for duration behaviors.

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teaching a release cue

As important as it is to teach your dog basic behaviors such as “sit” and “stay,” it’s equally as important to teach a release cue to let the dog know when he can release from his current position. Not only a useful training tool, a solid release cue can save your dog’s life. Use a release cue before going over a threshold, like through a doorway, out of a crate, or out of a vehicle. A release cue is also extremely useful for dog sports, as it builds a solid start line as well as clarity and confidence for duration behaviors.

Release Cues (1) from Karen Pryor Clicker Training on Vimeo.

To teach the release cue, choose a position that your dog already understands well, such as “sit” or “down,” and give the cue while the dog is in position. The cue can be anything you like, such as “let’s go,” “release,” or even a hand signal. Then entice the dog to get up and come toward you. Click and treat as the dog gets up. When your dog is waiting in position reliably, challenge your dog by doing random things while your dog remains in position until you release him. Once your dog understands the release cue, the opportunity to participate in the next activity becomes the reward!

Learn more useful behaviors for dog sports and beyond with Karen Pryor Academy’s online course Dog Sports Essentials!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

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Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

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SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

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DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

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Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

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]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-release-cue/feed/ 0 Tunnel Training https://karenpryoracademy.com/tunnel-training/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/tunnel-training/#respond Tue, 14 Feb 2023 18:11:18 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=21381 Teaching your dog to run through a tunnel is a perfect introduction to agility training, as well as backyard fun!

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tunnel training

Teaching your dog to run through a tunnel is a perfect introduction to agility training, as well as backyard fun! 

Start with a short tunnel, with a helper holding the dog at one end and you at the other end. Be sure that your dog sees both the opening and the exit clearly. Making eye contact with your dog through the tunnel, call your dog’s name and reward him once he moves through the tunnel to meet you at the other side. As your dog gains confidence going through the tunnel, you can increase the length of the tunnel gradually, until it is fully extended and your dog is blazing through it with confidence!

The keys to successful tunnel training are to practice often and make it fun! In this video, KPA CTP Kristen Lee practices tunnel training with her whippet, Aspen. Note how Kristen throws a party for her dog for each successful tunnel run, culminating in a fun game of tug! With Aspen’s high level of enthusiasm, who wouldn’t want to run through that tunnel?

Looking for more ideas for training critical sport skills? Check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Sports Essentials course!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Tunnel Training appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/tunnel-training/feed/ 0 Teach Your Dog to Be Comfortable on Novel Surfaces https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-be-comfortable-on-novel-surfaces/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-be-comfortable-on-novel-surfaces/#respond Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:01:26 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=10606 Introducing your dog to different surfaces is essential for dog-sport training. Dogs that compete in dog sports must have the confidence and stamina to tackle novel, unstable surfaces and surfaces with different textures and of different heights.

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teach your dog to be comfortable on novel surfaces

Introducing your dog to different surfaces is essential for dog-sport training. Dogs that compete in dog sports must have the confidence and stamina to tackle novel, unstable surfaces and surfaces with different textures and of different heights. One way to encourage your dog to explore a new surface is to scatter treats for him to forage.

This video, courtesy of KPA CTP Celine Yang, shows a dog foraging for treats on a sheet of lattice. As your dog gains confidence on level, uneven surfaces, you can begin to work on footing of varying heights and stability. Once the dog in the video is comfortable walking on the lattice, the trainer and dog progress to low platforms, wobble boards, and, eventually, the teeter! Remember to go at your dog’s pace and use lots of treats to keep the training positive and fun!

Looking for more ideas for training critical sport skills? Check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Sports Essentials course!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Teach Your Dog to Be Comfortable on Novel Surfaces appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-be-comfortable-on-novel-surfaces/feed/ 0 Teaching a Jump https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-jump/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-jump/#respond Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:28:31 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=19023 Teaching your dog a jump is an essential skill for canine sports such as agility. In fact, a standard agility course includes 15 or more jumps! Teaching a jump also helps build your relationship with your dog as well as your dog’s physical strength. It is a skill that any size dog can learn. However, be sure to check with your veterinarian to ensure that jumping is a safe activity for your dog.

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teaching a jump

Teaching your dog a jump is an essential skill for canine sports such as agility. In fact, a standard agility course includes 15 or more jumps! Teaching a jump also helps build your relationship with your dog as well as your dog’s physical strength. It is a skill that any size dog can learn. However, be sure to check with your veterinarian to ensure that jumping is a safe activity for your dog.

To begin teaching a jump, you will want to make sure to use equipment that is adjustable so that you can start low and go slow. In this video, KPA CTP Camilla Chu is using an adjustable jump bar to teach her pups to jump. For small dogs like Camilla’s, you’ll want to start with the bar on the ground. For larger dogs, the bar can be raised just a few inches above the ground. Once your equipment is set up, hold your dog’s leash and simply walk the dog over the jump. When your dog reaches the other side, click and reward generously. As your dog gains confidence, slowly raise the bar over time. It’s important that you do not increase the height until you are sure that your dog is comfortable.

As you will see in the video, Camilla is teaching her dogs to hop over the jump in both directions. This sets the dogs up again between reps as well as helps them to generalize the jump skill. Once your dog is jumping over the obstacle reliably, you can add the cue “jump.” 

Interested in more ideas for training critical sport skills? Check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Sports Essentials course!

Happy Spring Training!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Teaching a Jump appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teaching-a-jump/feed/ 0 Teach Your Dog to Pivot https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-pivot/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-pivot/#respond Wed, 15 Dec 2021 22:03:41 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=17977 Pivoting, a behavior that requires a dog to change direction by moving her rear end while keeping her feet in place, is an essential skill for many canine sports including obedience, rally, freestyle, agility, and more. It is also a terrific way to work on hind-end awareness.

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teach your dog to pivot

Pivoting is an essential skill for many canine sports, including obedience, rally, freestyle, agility, and more. The behavior requires the dog to change direction by moving her rear end while keeping her feet in place. It is a terrific way to work on hind-end awareness.

In this video from KPA CTP Amber Quann, students demonstrate steps to teach the pivot behavior. To begin, teach your dog to put her front paws onto a raised flat, round object such as an overturned bowl or bucket. The object should be stable and not too high. When your dog is putting her front feet onto the object with confidence, move toward her slightly so that her back feet move away from you slightly. Click and reward for any back feet movement away from you. Once your dog is moving her back feet away from you consistently, you can increase your criteria to click for bigger movements and your dog is swinging into heel position.

Interested in more ideas for training critical sport skills? Check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Sports Essentials course!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Teach Your Dog to Pivot appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-dog-to-pivot/feed/ 0 Teach a Hold https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-a-hold/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-a-hold/#respond Wed, 07 Jul 2021 19:52:41 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=16650 Teaching your dog to hold an object builds a solid foundation for teaching advanced behaviors for dog sports, such as retrieve. To teach the hold behavior, choose an object that your dog likes and hold it in front of your dog’s muzzle. Click and treat when your dog shows any interest in the object. Once the dog understands that interacting with the object is rewarding, slowly increase the criteria until the dog is nosing the object and, eventually, putting his mouth on it. Remember: never put the object into the dog's mouth. The dog should grab the object willingly.

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teach a hold

Teaching your dog to hold an object builds a solid foundation for teaching advanced behaviors for dog sports, such as retrieve. To teach the hold behavior, choose an object that your dog likes and hold it in front of your dog’s muzzle. Click and treat when your dog shows any interest in the object. Once the dog understands that interacting with the object is rewarding, slowly increase the criteria until the dog is nosing the object and, eventually, putting his mouth on it. Remember: never put the object into the dog's mouth. The dog should grab the object willingly.

In this video, KPA CTP Carol Milner is clicking and rewarding her dog Odie for putting his mouth on a dumbbell. Once Odie is mouthing the dumbbell consistently, Carol will teach him to bite down on the dumbbell and, eventually, hold the dumbbell in his mouth. At that point, Carol will give the hold behavior a verbal cue, such as “hold.”

Do you want more ideas for training critical sport skills? Check out Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Sports Essentials course!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Teach a Hold appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

]]> https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-a-hold/feed/ 0 Teach the Heel Position https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-the-heel-position/ https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-the-heel-position/#respond Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:24:12 +0000 https://karenpryoracademy.com/?p=15044 Teaching your dog to heel is not only easy and fun, but it helps encourage your dog to love walking beside you. The heel position is an essential skill for obedience competitions, heelwork to music (canine freestyle), and rally. In this video, KPA CTP Michelle Wieser and her dog Tipper demonstrate how to teach the heel position using hand targeting.

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teach the heel position

Teaching your dog to heel is not only easy and fun, but it helps encourage your dog to love walking beside you. The heel position is an essential skill for obedience competitions, heelwork to music (canine freestyle), and rally. In this video, KPA CTP Michelle Wieser and her dog Timber demonstrate how to teach the heel position using hand targeting.

To teach this behavior:

  1.     Before you begin, be sure your dog knows how to hand target.
  2.     Warm up by practicing a few hand targets with your hand by your side. Once your dog is targeting your hand, move your hand behind you slightly. Click and treat (C/T) when your dog follows. Repeat until your dog is following your hand with focus and enthusiasm.
  3.     Once your dog is following your hand reliably, circle your hand around in a “u” motion, directing your dog’s movement so that s/he ends in a position by your side. C/T.
  4.     Once your dog is heeling easily with your hand target, you can add a “sit.”

Happy training!

PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL!

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials.

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

Save 20% during Train Your Dog Month!

Offer ends this Saturday, January 31, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code TYD2026 and save $49!

Hurry, sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm (ET)

LEARN MORE

SAVE 20% DURING OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE!

The sale ends on Tuesday, September 30, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Learn the skills you both need for most major dog sports in our online course, Dog Sports Essentials. Use coupon code BTS2025 and save $49!

LEARN MORE

DOG SPORTS ESSENTIALS

Learn the essentials for dog sports competition in our online course.

LEARN MORE

Save 20% During Train Your Dog Month!

Learn the foundations of a well-behaved dog in our online course, Dog Trainer Foundations.

LEARN MORE

The post Teach the Heel Position appeared first on Karen Pryor Academy.

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