Category: Getting Started ¤
  Author: Sue Ailsby ¤
   Title: Couch Training 101 ¤

"Can someone please explain couch training to a newbie?"

Welcome to the list!  Couch training is a LITTLE bit of a joke, it started
when someone asked what can be trained while in a cast, and I responded
with a list of 101 Things To Train From The Couch, and we've been adding
to them ever since.  The Couch IS a metaphor for the ease of training with
a clicker, and for keeping your hands off the dog while training.  The
benefit of couch training is that you can teach the dog virtually anything
at any time with shaping, you can train the dog in 30 seconds bursts, you
can catch neat things you weren't expecting to happen.  It takes your mind
off how "serious" training is, how certain exercises "have" to be done
correctly from the beginning or some dire warning will come true, how
"horrible" it is that your dog has decided to break the sit-stay, or
whatever - just sit down on the couch, relax, and have a good time with
your dog.  Since I made the list, my dogs have learned to lie upside down
with all four paws in the air, to give a huge smacking kiss in the air
when I ask if they love me, to ride a skateboard, to do scent
discrimination, to back up, to stand on cue, (and if I must confess, they
are currently working through my hysterical sit-stay "problem").  Couch
training stands for teaching anything at all in the simplest, most fun
way.

Sue eh?
Song The Wonder Schnauzer (and it also means i can jump on the couch)
Scuba Satan-Spawn (WHAT???)