EXERCISE 2: BACKING UP OVER 2X4S EXERCISE 3: BACKING UP STAIRS Place four 2x4s on the ground. The exact position does not matter-you are going to change location of the boards each time your dog navigates through them. Ask your dog to back through the boards. Click your clicker each time your dog takes a step backward without stepping on one of the boards. See Figure 4. Each time your dog completes the series of boards, change their position and repeat the exercise. As you continue to train your dog, only click individual movements of your dog's legs. Many dogs like to hop backward over the boards, but hopping backward does not teach the same level of body awareness and should not be rewarded. When starting this exercise I begin with a short sturdy box that will not tip over. Ask your dog to back up. When he picks up a single foot, click your clicker and reward. The reward should come low and at your dog's chest to encourage your dog to continue the movement backward. At this point many dogs will pick up their second hind leg and place it on the box. This is fine! Do not click for hopping backward, and make sure each step is taken individually. If your dog repeatedly hops onto the box, find an object that is not as high, such as the top of a hassock. Once your pup is moving his hind feet individually, move to a short set of stairs as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Note: I like to use wooden boards rather than PVC pipe simply because I do not want my dogs touching PVC since it's used for jump bars. September 14 | Clean Run 4 5 6 Troubleshooting: If your pup steps over the box (thinking the game is similar to the 2x4 exercise), begin on a short set of stairs. 55http://www.absolute-dogs.com http://www.absolute-dogs.com http://www.fb.com/absolutedogs