Week 4 Molded Downs

PROPERTY OF MANNERLY MUTTS DOG TRAINING AND ROBIN RUBIN. WE ONLY ALLOW PAYING CLIENTS TO COPY THIS MATERIAL FOR THEIR USE ALONE. THIS MATERIAL MUST NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO OTHER NON-CLIENT PARTIES OF MANNERLY MUTTS WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.


Equipment needed:
-6' Leather Lead
-Training Collar

Explanation and Goal of Exercise:
This method of molding the dog into position, teaches the dog to allow our hands to mold and manipulate various parts of their body. The handler is also teaching themselves how to determine if a dog's muscles are relaxed with trust OR tense with distrust. Additionally, it is possible to detect a physical problem by touch as you mold your dog down. This also readies your dog to sink into a down readily when given the correction later on (if the correction is even necessary-it will probably be a very mild correction as well).

NOTE: Days 1-2 no command at all. Days 3-4 command only when the dog's stomach meets the ground (and bum not in the air). Days 5-6 command before performance, but if the dog does not initiate (wait one second) and then immediately mold the dog into a sit.   We will talk about the corrections later.   Right now we are just teaching to go into a down each time and to relax their muscles into the position when handled.

STEP 1:  Start from the sit position.   Move so you are facing your dogs right side, making a T with both of you.
STEP 2:  Your left hand will hold the collar by the snap very close to your dogs neck.  Your left arm will be laying against your dogs upper shoulders and going the same way as their spine.
STEP 3:  With your right arm, sweep the dogs legs forward.   You want them to sink as they would naturally into a down.   (refrain from lifting up, and then placing down in other words).  If the dog resists, use your left arm to help put mild pressure on the dog.
STEP 4:  Once the dog is in position, don't remove your left arm until you feel them relax.   You want the dog relaxed to the point that they will not pop up.   If your dog starts to try to play with you at this point, break and reset the exercise again.
STEP 5:  Once you feel the dog is relaxed, remove your left arm from their back and pet them slowly up and down their back.
STEP 6:  Remember that we haven't started (down) stays yet, so don't keep your dog down too long.   When ready, give the release word "break".

Do moldings of 100 repetitions a day.

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