Front Foot Target

Benefits:

Equipment:

Start with larger pieces of lower, stable equipment.
Once your dog understands front foot targeting, then you can start experimenting with different sizes and shapes.
Always start with STABLE equipment. Build your dog’s confidence.

Set-Up:

How To:

Toss a treat directly behind the object. When your dog turns around and come towards you, they will hopefully put a paw or two on the equipment. If they do, immediately mark and reward.
Toss the treat straight behind them again. When they come back to you mark and reward any paw interaction.
Once your dog is fluently putting both feet confidently on the target, start asking for them to stay on the platform for a little bit longer. At first reward your dog rapidly in order to keep them on the equipment. Then you can add little pauses in between the rewards.
Once you’re able to build some duration, then begin asking for more form-wise. Ignore their back feet for now, only ask for the forelimb (front legs) to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. For the vast majority of dogs, their topline should be level (unless their breed standard says otherwise). You also want to see their forelimb being held straight under their shoulder.
- Training Tip: A mirror can be very helpful to check form. Or you can have your phone facing your session as you record and you can check form in the camera.

Troubleshooting:

If your dog tries to go around the equipment and approach you from the side, just ignore them and wait for ANY kind of interaction with the object.
If your dog tries to go around or ends up wide, try making the object longer (use a long Cato board, put 2 yoga pads close together). Remember, the larger the target, the more likely your dog is to be successful.

Goal:

Your dog should come into you and be able to hold their forelimbs straight under their body, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground.

Rear Foot Target