Stationing is sending your dog to a visual target such as a mat or dog bed and having them stay there until they are released.
How to Teach:
- Start by building value for the station.
- Load some treats in your hand.
- Toss a treat, while your dog is getting the treat place your station (in our video we are using a mat) on the ground.
- As soon as your dog shows any interest in the station (i.e. looks at the mat or takes a step towards it) click and place a treat on the mat.
- Place the treat in a location on the station that will encourage your dog to have all 4 feet on the station to eat it.
- Once your dog is in contact with the mat, rapidly click and place a treat on the mat 5-10 times.
- Toss a treat off the mat and repeat above.
- Continue steps 2-6 above, changing where you are standing in relation to the station. This will help your dog understand the behavior is about the station, not where you are standing.
- Repeat above adding in your body motion while they are on the station.
- Move the station to different locations and start back at step 1.