Traning tips Training Tips Help your dog become reliable in all situations by varying the practice situation. Most trainers call this "proofing" the exercise. Try not to change more than one aspect of an exercise at once. The typical variables for obedience exercises all start with the letter D. Change only one "D" at a time: DELIVERY of Reward Very early on in the training you will want to randomize the delivery of your reward. Start to reward only the very best of the behaviors. If you're changing another D criteria, you may want to go back to delivering the rewards on a higher ratio. DISTANCE The comes when called if she is ten feet from you. Now, now its time to try moving away a little further. DURATION The dog is steady on her sit stay for 15 seconds, now its time to try extending the exercise a little. DIVERSITY OF CONTEXT The dog performs well in her usual, calm training environment (home, yard, obedience class), now it's time to complicate matters a little by introducing distractions or taking her to a new training site which is distraction enough in itself. Will she walk as nicely on a slack leash in the park as in your back yard? Will she sit and stay in your living room if you walk to the closet and put on your overcoat? Will she come if called while the doorbell is ringing? As you're increasing one criteria, decrease another. For example: If you are working on Diversity, decrease Distance and Duration but increase rate of the Delivery of the reward.