Stop on a Dime!

Kath, at MultiAnimalcrackers demonstrates her technique for teaching "Stop"  EITHER on Recall or when going out.


Part One

Part Two

I have taught Lily to stop and Down on Recall.  But I am going to use this as my starting point for building a strong "Stop on a Dime".  The Level 3 Zen conversation has helped clarify for me my desire for an Emergency Stop.  Anywhere.  Any time.  Any direction.


It WON'T be a 3-Minute behavior.  And proofing it will keep me out and about.  Win/Win.  

I am going to approach it, eventually, just like the Ian Dunbar Sit Test......train Lily to respond to the CUE (w/hand signal, because that comes naturally to me now) whatever position I am in, but also in whatever direction Lily is going.

That will, IMO, be the difficult part.  For Lily to Stop on a Dime when running away from me.

Perhaps I will teach this as an "interrupter" (see The Snake Kit).  I want Lily to eventually be able to respond to this when "She stashes her brain elsewhere for safekeeping while she flips out like a ninja at a pirate convention"......if possible.


Lily has learned other "emergency" behaviors - all contingency behaviors designed to help ME.  This emergency behavior is designed to help HER.  


The ultimate self control.  The ultimate zen.  And a worthy challenge. 

A quick review

We'll go back to the basics and tighten this up

and take it on the road
Now I have a standard to measure by

I wonder.  Now that we're "playing around" with Treibball skills, will I have to teach "Stop" and "Wait"?  I'll think about that later.