Post by Aussienot on Dec 14, 2004 23:16:28 GMT -5
Take a Bow
Uses – Great for ending a series of tricks. Good stretching exercise for dog before agility, flyball or Frisbee; also a move used in doggy dancing
Equipment Needed – treats, patience, as this simple move can be a surprisingly hard one to teach.
Methods – Try one or all of the following
Trouble Shooting
The most likely problem is that the dog confuses it with a down signal and goes into a drop position. The hand signal I chose was to cross my arms in front of my chest so that it looked completely different from a down hand signal. I also switched the command name to Star Move, as Bow and Down are kind of close in sound. If you use Drop in obedience training you won't have this problem.
With Sailor, I held a hand under her tummy to block her so she physically could not drop. You could also put a hand against a back knee to stop the drop. Once she had the hang of the move I could remove the hand.
With dogs that are more touch sensitive and skittish, try quickly lifting the treat back up with an Uh-uh noise the second the back end starts to sink. I’d also try training on stairs, the dog facing you with rear end pointing down the stairs, or on the edge of a table so that there’s no room to drop.
Uses – Great for ending a series of tricks. Good stretching exercise for dog before agility, flyball or Frisbee; also a move used in doggy dancing
Equipment Needed – treats, patience, as this simple move can be a surprisingly hard one to teach.
Methods – Try one or all of the following
- Lure Method
Have the dog in a Stand (off lead), slowly draw a piece of food from the dog’s nose to a spot in between the dog’s front legs. The dog should naturally bow, then name it Bow
(or Star Move), and give the treat. - Target Method
Teach the dog to target your hand or a piece of paper (when dog places nose touching the target, he gets a reward, practice this really well before going onto next step), then place your fingers down on the ground between his front legs and say your word for touching your hand (mine is "touch"). Most dogs will naturally go into the bow position to reach the target. - Capture Method
Young dogs will frequently go into a play bow when trying to initiate a game, and many dogs do this as a stretch first thing in the morning. Be prepared to command, praise and reward for spontaneous bows.
Trouble Shooting
The most likely problem is that the dog confuses it with a down signal and goes into a drop position. The hand signal I chose was to cross my arms in front of my chest so that it looked completely different from a down hand signal. I also switched the command name to Star Move, as Bow and Down are kind of close in sound. If you use Drop in obedience training you won't have this problem.
With Sailor, I held a hand under her tummy to block her so she physically could not drop. You could also put a hand against a back knee to stop the drop. Once she had the hang of the move I could remove the hand.
With dogs that are more touch sensitive and skittish, try quickly lifting the treat back up with an Uh-uh noise the second the back end starts to sink. I’d also try training on stairs, the dog facing you with rear end pointing down the stairs, or on the edge of a table so that there’s no room to drop.