teach your dog to back up to a target
Teaching a dog to back up is important for many dog sports, as it is a fundamental skill. However, did you know that backing up can be a particularly useful skill in everyday life as well? Whether you want your dog to step back from an open door or away from the trash bucket or a dangerous object, teaching the back-up behavior comes in handy.
Walking backward isn’t a skill that comes naturally to dogs, so using a target is a helpful tool. Another advantage of using a target is that you can move it further away to increase distance. In this video, Gretchen Carey uses a container lid as a target for her dog, Joe. Gretchen clicks and rewards Joe when his rear foot touches the lid. Strategic placement of the treat encourages Joe to come forward so that he can repeat the behavior successfully!
What different things can you train your dog to do? The possibilities are endless! For more training tips and ideas, check out our blogs and the Dog Trainer Foundations course!
Happy Training!