Premier MannersMinder Instruction Manual page 32

Chapter 8: Game 3 – Down Stay
Now if you hit the DOWN-STAY button on the remote, the Down-Stay light will go on signal-
ing that you've started a one-minute session and the MannersMinder will emit a cue tone
every :03 seconds.
When you hear the cue you should immediately press DISPENSE on the remote so that your
dog hears the tone and gets his treat. This cue tone is a guideline. If your dog need treats
more frequently at first, then give them more frequently. If your dog takes longer than :03
seconds to eat treats sometimes, then give the treats less frequently. And, if your dog gets
up, immediately stop giving treats or you may accidentally reward your dog for getting
up. Then, give your dog a verbal or visual cue to lie down. Dispense a few treats with the
DISPENSE button.
If your dog gets up to get his treats, stop dispensing treats immediately and just have
him lie down again. You can target him back in position or lure him with a treat by hand
if needed. Avoid physically repositioning him as this confuses some dogs and causes oth-
ers to resist which often leads to poor performance later. Then dispense additional treats.
Check the positioning of the MannersMinder to make sure it's convenient for your dog.
Some dogs get up each time you dispense a treat at first. Just continue having them lie
down each time they get up. After they lie down many times in a row to get the treat they
figure out that it's less effort to just stay lying down the whole time. So take your time on
this preliminary step. Once your dog consistently lies down to get his treats, you can go to
Step 1 of the Down-Stay Game.
NOTE: Even flat nosed dogs such as bulldogs can eat out of the MannersMinder treat
bowl. We suggest elevating their rug or using a large kibble to make eating from the
treat bowl easier.
Step 1: Now, we'll start our first one-minute trial.
Kneel or sit next to your dog's rug. Get your dog to
lie down on his rug and immediately press the
DOWN-STAY button on the remote. Then, immedi-
ately dispense the first treat and then dispense
treats every :03 seconds when you hear the cue-
tone.
When the Down-Stay light turns off signaling one
minute, dispense a few extra treats randomly so
that your dog doesn't learn to tell time and get up
on his own at one minute. Then inconspicuously
pull out your target and target Fido off. Target him several times between each trial in
order to provide variety in training and also to give him vital practice for the Place game in
Chapter 11.
Step 1: Treat Rate :03 seconds.
Repeat 5 times in a row.
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