Training Progress Report

With a treat in your hand, move your hand slowly from your dog's nose up and slightly over their head. Mark and reward when they sit.

After a few repetitions, remove the treat from your hand and use the same hand motion. Continue to reward when your dog sits, but fade the lure (the treat in your hand) as quickly as possible.

Once your dog is consistently following the hand signal, add the verbal cue by saying “Sit” once before giving the hand signal.

Put your open hand down with your palm facing your dog and reward them for coming to you and touching your hand.

Once your dog is doing this consistently, add the verbal cue by saying “Come” once before giving the hand signal.

1. Use high-value rewards to reinforce a great recall!
2. Only call your dog when you're confident they will come. If the situation is too difficult, go get them instead.
3. Start practicing in low-distraction areas, such as inside the house, and gradually work up to more distracting environments.
4. Don't call your dog and then punish them or do something unpleasant. Coming to you should always be a good thing!
5. Don't repeatedly call your dog if they don't come when asked. Make the situation easier and try again.

Start in a low-distraction area. Say your dog's name and reward them for looking at you.

Say “Let's go” and begin walking. Reward your dog frequently for walking nicely with you and for voluntarily looking at or checking in with you.

Choose one side for your dog to walk on and be consistent. If your dog crosses to the other side, stop and guide them back to the correct side before continuing.

If your dog puts tension on the leash, stop walking and wait for them to create slack in the leash before moving forward again. You can also change direction, especially if your dog is pulling toward something they want to reach.

Point to and walk toward your dog's place (bed, mat, etc.). Reward your dog for going to the place and lying down. You can cue a Down at first, or if your dog doesn't know Down yet, have them sit on the place. Mark and reward.

Once your dog is consistently following the hand signal, add the verbal cue by saying “Place” once before pointing and walking toward the place.

As your dog improves, gradually make the exercise more challenging:

• Practice approaching the place from different directions.
• Stop short of the place rather than walking all the way to it.
• Stand near the place and cue your dog without moving toward it.
• Move the place to different locations and practice there.

Start with a lower-value item such as a toy, crumpled piece of paper, or napkin. Toss the item on the ground and allow your dog to pick it up. Show them a treat, and as soon as they drop the item, mark and reward.

Once your dog is consistently dropping the item when they see the treat, add the verbal cue by saying “Drop It” once before showing the treat. Fade the treat lure as quickly as possible so your dog learns to respond to the cue rather than waiting to see the reward.

Start by practicing with lower-value items your dog has only had for a short time. As they improve, gradually work up to higher-value items and things they have had in their possession for longer.

You can also practice Drop It with two toys. When your dog drops one toy, reward them by immediately offering or tossing the other toy. This is a great way to practice Drop It during fetch and play.

When your dog has something they are allowed to have, occasionally approach and ask them to “Drop It.” Pick up the item, reward them, and then give the item back. This teaches your dog that giving something up doesn't always mean losing it—they may get both a reward and their item back.

Start by creating a clear visual boundary, such as a piece of painter's tape placed a few feet from the door. Cross the line while facing your dog. If your dog remains behind the boundary, mark and reward by tossing a treat away from the line and back into the room where they are waiting.

Once your dog is consistently staying behind the boundary, add the verbal cue by saying “Wait” before you begin.

If your dog crosses the line, step into their space so they back up behind the boundary, then try again. Do not reward the backup when you have had to correct them. Otherwise, your dog may learn a pattern of crossing the line, backing up, and then getting rewarded.

Start with no distractions. Once your dog understands the boundary, gradually make the exercise more realistic by practicing things such as:

• Walking toward the door.
• Touching the doorknob.
• Opening the door.
• Walking through the doorway.
• Having someone knock or come to the door.

“Off” means to get your feet or body off something. It can be used for furniture such as the couch, or when your dog puts their feet on counters, gates, or other surfaces.

Cue your dog up onto the couch or other furniture. Toss a treat onto the floor to prompt them to get off. Once your dog is consistently following the treat, add the verbal cue by saying “Off” before tossing the treat.

If your dog puts their feet on a counter, gate, or other surface, toss a treat away from the item to prompt them to get off. Once they are consistently following the treat, add the verbal cue by saying “Off” before tossing the treat.

Then begin watching for your dog to approach the item without putting their feet on it. Mark and reward all four feet remaining on the floor.

Put your flat palm out in front of your dog. Mark and reward when they touch your hand with their nose.

If needed, you can start with a treat tucked under your thumb to encourage your dog to approach and touch your hand. Fade the treat from your hand as soon as possible.

Once your dog is consistently coming to touch your hand, add the verbal cue by saying “Touch” once before presenting your hand.

Start with your hand nearby and gradually increase the distance as your dog improves.