This game teaches your dog to stay in a certain place and / or position (for example, in a sit on a platform or mat) – which is great for building impulse control, and a different variation on playing with toys with your dog, that’s safer than just throwing the ball repeatedly.
It’s a great way to get more ‘bang for your buck’ in training – in one throw of a toy with this method, you get to train your dog a sustained sit or down, impulse control, an amazing ‘wait’ and a retrieve!
How to train it:
Step 1: Know your place!
Put your dog into a sit on a platform, such as the dog park platform or a mat (or could be a bench or crate) and encourage them to stay in a wait. Start with waiting for just a second, then releasing them with an ‘Ok’, and build up. Don’t go for too long, too quickly – otherwise they’ll learn to sometimes wait, and sometimes just go!
Having a specific platform like a mat or place board (a fancy word for a wooden raised board) helps wiggly dogs, especially spaniels that like to wiggle out of position and move around, and gives them a place to stay which they find easier than just sitting in one place in a big field.
Step 2: Throw the toy
This is the tricky part! You want to work on throwing the toy while your dog waits. Now, your dog will probably want to run immediately, so I always throw in a ‘Wait’ as I throw the ball. Also, start with dropping the toy next to you while you practice this instead of a big throw which is way too exciting for most dogs.
Step 3: Release the hounds!
Wait a few seconds then release your dog with a command like “Go, Ok, Find” to go get the toy (choose which command you’ll use). Your dog will love the anticipation, which is more exciting than actually going to get the toy (think about how the excitement of Christmas approaching is often more exciting than the actual thing!).
Step 4: Bring It Back.
Encourage your dog to bring the toy back to you to start the game again!
