Setting the Stage: Start with One Mat
To begin, start with one mat or prop. I start by rewarding the dog multiple times for staying on the mat. Once my dog has some value, I start to lure off the mat and mark/reward when the dog goes back on. Initially, I just lure the dog's front end off, then quickly progress to luring the dog off the mat.
Next Steps: Introduce Two Mats
Begin by placing two mats on the floor, one to your left and one to your right. The goal is to train your dog to move between these two points laterally. The provided video demonstrates this process with Excel.
Click and Reward: Shaping the Behavior
As shown in the video, clicking and rewarding incremental progress is vital. If your dog moves at all toward the other mat, click and treat. Initially, you might notice the front end moving first; click again when the rear end follows suit.
If your dog encounters difficulty moving in one direction, consider breaking down the training further. In the video, when Excel struggled to move to the right, I used a reset treat and reevaluated the approach.
Addressing Challenges: Reading Your Dog's Signals
Pay close attention to your dog's body language. If they get stuck or frustrated, as Excel did, assessing the situation is crucial. You may have to return to one mat or try luring off the mat just slightly and see if your dog can offer movement back to the mat. Breaking this down step-by-step can make the process more manageable for your dog.
The Importance of Adaptability: Listening to Your Dog
Excel's reaction of disengaging and sniffing when frustrated is a crucial lesson. It's a signal that the training approach may need adjustment. Always be ready to adapt your methods based on your dog's reactions, ensuring a positive and enjoyable learning experience.
Persistence
Teaching lateral movement is challenging for dogs, so patience is key. Be sure you're rewarding for any movement in the right direction. Build on success, and your dog will offer lateral movement in front in no time!
Nicole Wiebusch started competing in dog sports as a teenager in the 90’s and quickly became addicted to the sport of obedience.
In 2001, she acquired a golden retriever named Tucker who taught her that traditional methods weren’t the best way to a happy confident dog. This realization started her on the journey to positive reinforcement training.
In 2008, Nicole started her own dog training business, Golden Paws Dog Training LLC, and teaches both pet owners and dog sports people dog-friendly training methods. She started taking classes with Fenzi Dog Sports Academy in 2013 and actively competes in a variety of performance events with her three golden retrievers.
Nicole’s golden retriever Toby UDX2 OM3 RAE was retired due to physical problems just 30 points shy of finishing his OTCH. Her current competition dog Strive has earned her UD and is working on her UDX. Toby and Strive both have multiple High in Trials in Obedience and High Combineds in both Obedience and Rally. Nicole’s dogs also hold advanced Agility and Rally titles, as well as hunting, dock diving, and TEAM titles.
In addition to operating Golden Paws Dog Training, Nicole is a field dog trainer for a service dog organization, a Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator, a Professional Member of the APDT, an instructor for the Fenzi Pet Professionals Program, a TEAM judge, and has earned the Obedience/Rally/Freestyle Trainer’s Certificate from FDSA.
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