Purpose: Sit – Walk Forward Down is a prerequisite to the Fold Back Down, and introduces the concept of keeping the rear limbs and pelvis properly aligned when exposed to changing forces, and builds on the foundation we laid in the Posture Down exercise.
Equipment: 2 Sitting Platforms
Targets: Pelvis and hip Stabilizers
TRAINING STEPS:
Phase 1 ~ Introducing the Movement
- Start in Posture Down, rewarding using Posture Down principles. This provides context to the dog, and ensures the two of you are “on the same page”.
- Using the Placement of Reward and Handler Motion to cue the transition from Down to Sit.
- During this Learning Phase, the front feet will align in front of the “gap” and the antebrachium will intentionally be diagonal.
- If the dog makes an error entering the Posture Down or Sit position, just reset and start again.
Phase 2: Refining Alignment
- Start in Posture Down
- Use Placement of Reward to cue the transition to Sit.
- If / when the dog stops short of the gap, add additional Handler Motion toward the dog to cue the additional step.
- Mark when the leading leg crosses the gap
- Reward once the trailing leg has crossed.
Goal: The goal of this exercise is to teach the pelvis and rear limbs to remain still and stable, while exposed to changing forces and different spine angles. Stay focused on the alignment of the rear limbs and pelvis. Forelimb alignment does not have to be perfect.
Watchpoints:
- Lumbar spine, pelvis, and rear limb alignment is the focus of this exercise. It’s important not to get “fiddly” trying to make the front feet exactly even.
- Rear feet should remain still, although adjusting into better alignment should always be rewarded.
- If your dog is struggling with Phase 2, you may not have built enough fluency in Phase 1.
- If you’re using a verbal “Sit” cue, make sure the verbal cue is specific to this specific behavior, or omit the verbal and use your body cues as the antecedent. It’s not good dog
- training to use the same cue for multiple different behaviors.
- Dogs with more structurally upright scapular angulation (like sighthounds) may not be able to bring the antebrachium into fully vertical alignment. That’s ok. As long as they are “crossing the gap”, we will use the individual’s neutral as the ideal end position.
