Category: Getting Started, Puppy Stuff, Common Problems ¤ Author: Grace McDonald ¤ Title: Teaching 'Go To Your Mat' ¤ I teach my clients two distinct "Mat" excercises at lesson one. The ACTIVE mat excerise is owner sits in a chair (never moves) says "go to your mat" with mat 10 to 20 feet away. OWNER NEVER MOVES OFF CHAIR OWNER NEVER MOVES UNTIL TIME TO THROW (no pointing) 1. throw a treat to get him there, click and throw again when he is there (about five times) 2. c/t* after he looks in that direction x 5 3. c/t after he moves any part of his body in that (or any) direction x 5 4. c/t after he moves multiple parts of his body in that (or any) direction x 5 5. c/t after he moves any part of his body in THAT direction only x 5 6. c/t after he moves multiple parts of his body in THAT direction only x 5 7. c/t after he takes two steps towards it x 3 8. c/t after he takes three steps towards it x 3 9. c/t after he takes four steps towards it x 2 10.c/t after he gets to the mat x 5 11.c/t after he lies down on the mat (with a down cue) x 5 12.c/t after he lies down on the mater (with no down cue) x 5 13.c/t after he has laid down and you have counted out loud to 3 14.c/t after he has laid down and you have counted out loud to 5 15.c/t after he has laid down and you have counted out loud to 10 16.c/t after he has laid down and you have counted out loud to 3 17.c/t put the final part on a VSR based on counting, longer, longer, shorter 10, 20, 5 70, 190, 30, a sit com, a 1 hr drama, a commercial (counting out loud initially keeps him focused on the game and reinforces the owner more clearly about how successful he is becoming at the stay part based on the higher and higher counts) c/t here means click and THROW The behaviour chain on one auditory stimulus "go to your mat" is A) to go there B) to lie down C) to stay there Usually in fourteen days, by lesson #3 the dog will go to his mat and stay there for about 10 minutes from any place in the house. Then we start substitute a new auditory stimulus at the beginning which will eventually trigger the chain, the door bell comes before the "go to your mat" auditory stimulus and then the "go to your mat is removed". My clients are taught to work for the four "D"'s of the stay behaviour Distance - VSR based on paces Duration - VSR based on counting Distractions- Everything and anything but food Different Context - Different body positions - lying on the floor, standing Different angles from the owner to dog Different rooms for the owner Different rooms for the mat Different yards Different houses The PASSIVE mat exercise is done in silence. The mat is simply put beside them while they watch T.V., sew, work at their computer, practice the piano, eat dinner, entertain guests. They have a dish of dry treats handy and any time the dogs toes touch the mat c/t. Then any time they step on the mat c/t. Then any time they sit or lie down on the mat c/t, then any time they lie down on the mat c/t. Then any time they stay lying on the mat for awhile c/t. This I got from Carolyn Clarke for classes and have adapted to my private in-home practice. Dog has a place he knows and understands is a "good" place. Stops wandering around aimlessly and peeing indiscriminately unobserved. Stops unobserved interaction with the family children that leads to tears. If necessary, at first, I have them keep the dog on leash to set him up to successfully accidentally go on the mat. This isn't needed for long. Eventually, the mat which was beside the dinner table gets moved further and further away with the VSR getting so wide the dog gets a treat just at the end of the meal when the table is being cleared but he has learned to lie down away from the eating area, begging problem dealt with. Love that mat. It becomes the symbol of all good things to the dog (including focus and security) and the tool for control of all behaviours for the owner. Grace McDonald With the 3 short coated yellow things