2. úkoly

Here is your new list. Before addressing Lesson 2, make sure you complete Lesson 1 first and check with me if you’re ready for the new challenges or some more successful hits are still your major priority.

1. gradually make that plank/DW higher&higher, but adding height is usually not an issue, so we can try to add another difficulty: try changing starting position of your dog. If you use a low DW, use different approaches (straight, angled, 180 degrees etc.) and distances and on plank, change distances, but keep it striaght. Don’t use the best spot all the time anymore, but vary it a little bit. If it makes their hits too bad, go back to the good starting position. But a bad try here and there is good, that’s how they learn the difference between what gets rewarded and what doesn’t.

2. as the dog is probably already searching for the plank better, slowly start throwing sooner&sooner. Don’t rush it, but you eventually want to throw that soon that the dog is technically running to a static toy. But again, you don’t want to get there sooner as in 3 weeks as it’s only then that we’ll start using a static toy – you do want to throw it for those 3 weeks more! It’s better to throw somewhat longer if necessary – usually not an issue with BCs, but with my PyrShep, I needed to throw VERY long to keep the speed and forward focus – if any of that gets weaker when you start throwing sooner, go back to whatever gives you back the speed and forward focus, we can deal with the rest later!

3. as you are still throwing a toy, your movement and position probably won’t affect the dog’s performance – but just to be sure, do try to run with the dog (on both sides) here and there, just to check if that’s correct. If it does affect your dog’s performance, add movement gradually, by first walking slowly along, then walking faster, running slowly etc. You don’t need to do it on every try, especially not if it doesn’t affect the performance, but do try it here and there.

4. new trick: shape a dog to go with all 4 feet in a box that is at first at least as long as he is. Then gradually use smaller&smaller objects, your goal is the dog is standing with 4 feet in a small bowl. Good for balance and rear legs awareness! Also, teach backing up with you standing still, by rewarding first for one step back, then two and then add more&more distance. Try rewarding by tossing a treat/toy to them as it makes adding distance easier. Great for rear legs awareness and coordination!