Chapter 12: Game 5 - Down-Stay With Distractions - Premier MannersMinder Instruction Manual

Chapter 12: Game 5 – Down Stay w/Distractions
Recommended Training Time:
Two 15-minute sessions.
Overview
At this point Fido knows "down-stay" for one min-
ute and "place." Now we'll add in the common
door distractions. For this part of the training, put
the rug in its final location near the door. The best
type of location is one that's on the way to the door
so it will be easy for him to "place" and in a
location where he can see the person who's at the
door. It should also be in a location where it's easy
for you to block him by stepping in front of him if
he gets up to run to the door.
For this series of one-minute trials, always send
Fido to his "place" from 5-10 feet away so he has
practice "placing." At the end of each one-minute
trial give a few more treats at variable intervals,
sometimes from your hand and sometimes from
the MannersMinder so that Fido doesn't anticipate
when he should get off the rug. Then call Fido
off or target a few times in between the
one-minute trials.
In this game, we will add one distraction at a time
while doling treats out every :03 seconds. Once
Fido's completes 3 one-minute trials in a row at
any step, you can go on to the next step.
If he ever messes up 2 or more times in a row,
refer to the troubleshooting section.
Step 1: The Moving Human Distraction
Send Fido to his spot and when he lies down,
immediately hit the DOWN-STAY button so that
treats automatically dispense every :03 seconds for
one minute. Then start walking around. When you
walk around, start by making it easy. That is, first
walk in front of Fido or close by. When he seems relaxed, then walk more toward his sides
or back and all the way around. Then also add distance. Time more difficult distractions
as his head is in the treat bowl. If he gets up, immediately press the DOWN-STAY button
again to stop the trial. Then have Fido lie down again and start over. This time be more
Set the control panel to:
– Power = on
– Volume = on
– Session = single treat
– Treat Rate = :03 seconds
– Treat Interval = fixed
Step 1: The Moving Human Distraction
Send Fido to his spot, then start
walking around. Dole out treats every
:03 seconds and fast enough so that
he doesn't think about getting up.
Three correct trials in a row.
Put the rug in its final
location near the door.
Checklist
❏ ❏ ❏
47