Premier MannersMinder Instruction Manual page 22

Step 3:
Repeat Step 2, standing far enough away so that
Fido has to take 3-5 steps to reach the target.
When he can perform this 9 out of 10 times in a
row, go to Step 4.
Step 4: Adding the Verbal Cue
Right now, Fido's cue for touching the target is
your visual presentation of the target. Now you will
add a verbal cue. Right before presenting the
target, say "Target" distinctly so that he orients to
the sound of your voice. Then immediately present
the target. Your voice should cause him to orient
and then the first thing he will see is the target.
After several trials, he will get the idea that the
word is always followed by a presentation of the
target. Therefore the word must mean he should
go and touch the target.
NOTE: If you say the cue word and present the
visual cue at the same time, Fido may never
learn that the cue word means the same as the
visual cue because he has no reason to learn
the second cue. The visual cue is more noticeable
and will block his learning of the second cue
that's presented at the same time. In psychology,
this phenomenon is called blocking.
How Do You Know When He knows?
We know that Fido has a clue about the meaning
of "target" when he orients upon hearing the cue
word 9 out of 10 times in a row when he's first
facing away from you.
We don't actually have to have targeting with verbal cue to go on to the next exercises. The
visual cue (presentation of the target) is good enough.
Stationary Target
On days that you don't feel like training, you can exercise Fido by having him target to the
stationary target. Place the target in the included base. To teach him to touch this target,
just TONE & TREAT whenever he touches it.
Chapter 5: Game 2 – Targeting
Step 3:
Repeat Step 2, standing far enough
away so that Fido has to take 3-5
steps to reach the target.
Checklist
❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
Step 4: Adding the Verbal Cue
Say "target." Then after your dog
looks, quickly present the target at his
nose level.
Checklist
❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
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