Background Banner for Dog Obedience Classes in Melbourne

Does the dog fixate on shoes if the person is standing still, or only when the feet are moving?

Does the dog fixate on shoes if the person is standing still or only when the feet are moving?
Dog Fixation of Feet – Melbourne Dog Trainers –
You could try a game we call “Ooh, a piece of candy” (Family Guy Reference) followed by a fun game of tug.

In a nutshell, you walk up and down the hallway feeding at your feet.
Set up: Dog off-leash. indoors. quiet environments such as a hallway or long room. The driveway also works. The person/handler (you) wears rubber boots (aka Wellingtons). Dog and handler should know how to play “tug”.
Equipment: Clicker, training treats & tug (and later a radio).

Set up: Dog off-leash. indoors. quiet environments such as a hallway or long room. The driveway also works. The person/handler (you) wears rubber boots (aka Wellingtons). Dog and handler should know how to play “tug”.
Equipment: Clicker, training treats & tug (and later a radio).

The Exercise (Step>Click>Candy)
Handler starts at one end of a hallway. Stand tall > Two feet together > Take one large step (lead with the left foot) > When the left foot touches the floor > “CLICK”  and immediately bend down and place the treat (aka Candy) on the floor next to the left shoe (within 5cm of your little toe) > then right foot then moves up so two feet are together again and stand up tall > when to dog collects the treat repeat the exercises. (Step>Click>Candy)

Note. don’t move off until the dog has taken the treat. Ideally, place the treat right next to your foot so the dog’s nose touches your shoe, which, inturn triggers you to step again with your left foot.
If the dog gets in front, don’t worry; just wait til they come back around and they take the candy.

Stage 1: Step>click>candy: feeding every single step all the way down the hallway (approx 10 steps) > then “TUG” and have a brief fun game.
Repeat “Stage 1” for a couple (~3) times up and down the hall. Progress to marking the moment the dog steps towards you (not actually the moment your foot touches the ground).

Stage 2: Begin performance reinforcement by adding 2steps>click>candy, then three steps and so on.
Stage 3: Your dog will begin to look up and anticipate the next treat. Then you’re progressing to marking the “check-in”. reward in position (you food hand touching your left leg when you release the treat)

Dog Fixation of Feet – Melbourne Dog Trainers –
Stage 4: Within a few brief sessions, you should be able to walk the length of the hall with a few “good dog” verbal rewards and just play tug at the end of the hallway.
Stage 5: Generalise. Vary the speed of your walk, try running the hallway, add youtube sounds (school playgrounds), take the same game outside, ask a friend to walk the hall, swap your rubberboots for everyday shoes with laces.
Hints:
– Cheese works better for this exercise (better than dry treats) as it stays where you placed it.
– If the dog starts to go at the feet again, recognise you may have raised the bar just a bit quickly and just stand tall, say nothing and wait for them to check in and restart the step>click>candy, quickly progressing to just a little less than the previous level of performance.
– If you’re asking little trainers (kids) to help: the kid has the treats, but you keep the clicker. The click marks the moment the dog steps towards the kid but also cues the kid to feed at their feet. Use music to cue the kids to move and stop; the louder the music, the faster the child moves. i.e. Music stops = stand like a tree. (think musical chairs).
– If you haven’t been able to get good value in “tug” or the play excites the dog too much, then change the reinforcing termination cue and swap “tug” with a “get-it” and throw one treat up the hallway.

Heads up, this game works a treat (pun intended) with jumpy puppies too. Dog Fixation of Feet – Melbourne Dog Trainers –

Sunday Morning: TV Time

 

Other posts you might like
How to Teach a Dog to Release Something from Their Mouth
How to Teach a Dog to Release Something from Their Mouth Teaching your dog to 'give' is an important command that can help keep them safe and prevent unwanted behaviors. With patience and consistency, you can teach your dog to “give” on command. Read More
Structure of Crate Training
Structure of Crate Training Are you looking for ways to be more inclusive? To ensure anyone can access your workplace or services the same way you can? Do you want diversity, inclusion and wellbeing to be inherent in your workplace culture? People who have Read More
Standards of Crate Training
Standards of Crate Training Are you looking for ways to be more inclusive? To ensure anyone can access your workplace or services the same way you can? Do you want diversity, inclusion and wellbeing to be inherent in your workplace culture? People who have Read More