Goal Behavior

Puppy stands with front feet on paw-pad and maintains a standing position in a straight line alongside the handler.

Why

This is the foundation training for the heel position.

Setup

• In a quiet location, place paw pad next to a wall that will be on the puppy’s left. The ideal place is a wall opening or corner so the puppy can see to the left. Paw pad must to be perpendicular (short edge) to the wall.
• Puppy must be off leash for this exercise.
• Handler stands beside the paw pad facing forward with their feet positioned so the front edge of the paw pad is touching the mid-line of the left foot. Handler’s feet need to be squared and together. This will make it so the puppy’s front feet will be in line with the handlers pant seam.

Luring puppy onto paw pad

1. Standing 1-2 feet behind paw pad, while holding the puppy in left arm, load right hand with several treats. Place the puppy on the floor,and transfer treats to left hand.
2. With treats loaded in left hand lure the puppy forward to the paw-pad and position your feet alongside as described above.
3. As soon as the puppy places one front foot on the paw pad begin pezzing. Release one treat from your left hand in rapid secession. The puppy’s second foot will follow onto the paw pad as pezzing occurs.
   ‍Caution: It is very common to drop food while pezzing. It is imperative that the puppy does NOT get the food; therefore, keep the puppy busy eating from one hand while you pick up the dropped reward with your other hand.
4. Before you run out of treats, resupply the feeding hand (left) with more treats using your right hand. Do not move the feeding hand away from puppy as the puppy is likely to follow the food.
5. While puppy has both feet on paw pad, continue pezzing to keep puppy engaged and in place for 10-15 seconds.
6. Gently pick puppy up and place him/her about a foot behind the paw-pad to repeat the procedure.
7. Lure the puppy back onto the paw pad and repeat procedure.
8. Several repetitions should be done before ending the session. Keep in mind the puppy’s engagement, maturity level and food interest. If puppy is unsuccessful immediately end the session.
9. When training is finished, remove the paw pad so puppy has no access to it. Small breaks of holding the puppy can be given but a puppy may need a 10-minute break to busy and get a drink, and chill. Session can be repeated after.

Offering to step on to the Paw Pad without the use of the lure

1. Review previous procedure (luring) one time to remind the puppy what the expectation is. Pick up the puppy after review.
2. Place puppy about a foot behind the paw pad while the handler steps into position beside the paw pad and wait to see if puppy will offer to step onto the paw pad. If the puppy does, mark with “Nice!” and reward with a treat. And begin pezzing.
3. If puppy doesn’t offer stepping onto the paw pad, you may mark and reward any movement towards the paw-pad, shaping the behavior. The puppy will quickly learn any movement towards the paw pad will get him a reward.
4. If puppy appears to not understand the desired behavior,you might need practice luring once again.

Moving away from pezzing through direct delivery of treats

1. Place puppy behind the paw pad and wait for him to put his 2 feet on the paw pad. Hold several treats in right hand, for an immediate mark and reward when his feet hit the paw pad.
2. While puppy is on the paw pad and chewing previous treat,pull hand away from puppy’s nose by 3-4 inches, if he remains still on the paw pad mark with “Nice!”, deliver a treat and move hand away again.
3. As long as puppy is able to remain still with hand moving away, increase distance between hand and puppy’s nose. Slowly start to stand up as you increase distance.
4. Pay attention to your treat hand. It must be in front of the puppy’s nose, or slightly to the left when delivering a treat. Puppy’s head must NOT curl in front of the handler’s left leg. If puppy’s head does curl, check placement of your treat delivery.
5. Continue to increase duration between marks when you feel puppy is able to stand still. After marking the behavior, begin direct delivery of the reward. There should be no food held in the hand. Your right hand must be passive at your side, NOT in the bait bag.
6. Some puppies will pick this up quickly, others may need four or five sessions before they understand and have the patience to stand still while waiting for the reward.
7. Start reinforcing the puppy intermittently, one time after 1-2 seconds, another after 3-4 seconds. This will help keep the puppy engaged in the game.
8. Paw pad should be moved off of the wall 1-2 inches at a time so the puppy does not become reliant on the wall to keep its body in a straight line. If puppy starts to swing its rear end out, check placement of delivery of reward. Often times feeding the puppy with its head to the left will correct the positioning.