A Target = Patience & Pleasure
Written by Pam on July 10, 2015
We have received many requests for instructions on introducing a target. A target is an object that can be a large or small – whatever you want it to be, but to the dog it is a object that stops a behavior. I will discuss in this blog how to stop the undesirable activity and immediately have him in a sit-stay near a target.
The training with the Target for (most) of our HGT pack is similar to the command Back. When we train for Target, we are teaching the dog to stay away from something – such as our front door. This is extremely useful because Labradors and goldens tend to want to meet everyone that comes to the door – sometimes a quick sniff is enough but most times, they want in on the activity and will not leave the area as we may want them to. So to introduce a target and some training as to what this target is to mean to them will be very useful.
What you are doing is trying to send a message to the dog letting him know that the door and the area around the door belong to his human friends. You are in charge of that area and he needs to wait patiently – similarly to that of an alpha relationship he might have with other dogs in the household. This (hopefully) will also change the patterns of jumping on the visitors when they enter the house.
- Create a Target – as you see from our embedded pictures, our target is simply an enlarged pawprint that is backed with cardboard and covered with clear packing tape. To Ozzy and Mean the command is ON-SPOT and the meaning is to stay back. To Koko and Sage it means to stay back for a few minutes then run like the dickens! But we still get the sit-stay and back away!
- When the doorbell rings or there are visitors coming up the driveway, we position the target near the door but away from traffic that will enter the door. You can also use blue painter’s tape – just a strip of tape that will show where the dog his limit and not to go close to the door.
- Lead the dog up to the target or painter’s tape – show them the target or tape and use the command “ON-SPOT”.
- Go over step 3 a couple of times so the dog knows this new game is to look for the target or painter’s tape.
- Now that you have your target or painter’s tape in place you walk over the target – if he follows you, you need to growl or give him an unh-unh and lead him back to behind the target or line. Point to the target again and repeat the command.
- When the dog remains behind the target or even on the target – give him lots of praise and a tasty treat.
- Now it is time to increase the distraction and open the door and pretend to greet someone. Even have someone ring the doorbell.
- Point to the target or the line and use the command firmly so the dog does not cross the target or line.
- If the dog attempts to cross the target or line with excitement – you need to immediately squeal as if to tell the dog – stop this is not what I want and to remain in a sit-stay.
- Place a note on the outside of your door simply saying that ‘Dog in Training – Door Etiquette underway!”
- This training will work – but you need to be patient and always give the dog the correct command and lots of praise when the dog follows through.
- Once your HGT pup or dog learns this command, you will feel this sigh of relief when you answer the door and not have the dogs jumping on your guests. Your friends will be amazed as to how obedient your dog is on-lead and off – inside and outside! Enjoy the pictures of Ozzy + Mean “On-Spot” with the door shut and then with Sage Advice and Koko with the door open! As you can see everyone is doing what is asked but what they really want to do is to jolt through that open door to get to their favorite human on the other side- which they did after the pics! Cheers, Pam
