Benefits:

• Forelimb & Shoulder Strengthening

• Core Strengthening

Equipment:

1. 1 Old Towel or Washcloth - at first you want the towel to be fairly large to increase success rate for your dog

2. You could also teach this in a sandbox if you have a designated area for your dog to dig.

Set-Up:

1. Have your dog set-up in front of you in a stay position - it doesn’t matter if it’s a sit, down or stand just as long as they’re able to wait for your release. 

2. Lay out the towel in front of them. I find it useful to hold part of the towel steady by sitting or kneeling on part of it but you don’t have to.

How To:

1. Lift up the part of the towel closest to the dog and place treats or food below the towel - make sure they see you putting food under the towel.

2. Release them. They’ll come forward to investigate the towel. As soon as they try to paw the towel in any way, lift up the towel and reward them.

1. Continue this until you start to see them actually try to ‘dig’ - left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. At first you’ll see a lot of the same paw action, which is fine, but that means you should jackpot them for alternating legs to encourage this form instead.

2. Start with just one or two reps (or seconds), then slowly increase criteria and duration

3. Try to mark and reward before you think your dog is done digging. Don’t wait for them to stop on their own. 

Goal:

1. Dog keeps back 2 legs anchored and still while front paws dig (left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot) consistently. 

2. This is a deceptively difficult exercise. Your goal should be 10-20 seconds. It will vary from dog to dog. Even for the most conditioned and fit dogs, 30 seconds is a very long time. Keep dig reps and sets short and sweet with a focus on a good, fast rhythm.