Premier MannersMinder Instruction Manual page 19

Chapter 4: Game 1 – Tone & Treat
TIP: If you are using the MannersMinder to train
Fido to perform a calm, quiet down-stay and...
a) you don't care whether he learns to run to a
specific location and... b) you want to skip
'targeting' (Chapter 5), you can skip Step 5 as
well and go directly to down-stay training
(Chapter 8). If you do this, then during the
down-stay exercises you should have a leash on
Fido so you can guide him off the rug instead of
targeting him off between trials.
Step 5: Adding Distance
To ensure that your dog's response to the tone is
strong enough for the later stages of training, we'll
build up distance next.
First move 3-5 feet away from the MannersMinder.
If your dog follows you, TONE & TREAT. If he passed Step 4, he should immediately walk or
run to get his treat from the MannersMinder. If he stays near
the MannersMinder, lure him away by giving a treat by hand, then TONE & TREAT when he's
standing close to you.
Repeat this step until your dog consistently responds to the tone from 5 feet away. He
should immediately run to get his treat 9 out of 10 times in a row before you go on to the
next stage of training.
Troubleshooting
Fido's Afraid of the MannersMinder
Start with the best treats you have. Continue putting food in the machine until he's com-
fortable taking food. You can also turn the volume down again or even off so he isn't
startled. You can also make a trail of treats leading to the machine so that he learns to
walk up to the machine by eating the treat trail (put extra kibble in the bowl). After awhile
he won't need this trail to get him to the treat bowl.
Slow to Learn the Tone & Treat
Use a higher value treat. Some dogs will work for treats that you give by hand but aren't
as motivated to work for treats dispensed by MannersMinder. In some cases, this may be
because these dogs find the human interaction part of the reward. The food isn't motivat-
ing enough on its own.
Step 5: Adding Distance
First move 3-5 feet away from the
MannersMinder. Only TONE & TREAT
when he's standing close to you.
Repeat until he consistently responds
to the tone from 5 feet away. He should
immediately run to get his treat 9 out
of 10 times in a row before you go on
to the next stage of training.
Checklist
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