This week we continued working on “block” and “six”. Riggs does not like being in the six position and his duration is short as a result. Most dogs do not like being in a position where they cannot see their handler which is the case in the six position. We will continue to shape this behavior in hopes he becomes more comfortable. Riggs will be lured into block but he struggles to complete the command with just the voice. We will continue to work on this as well. I began to shape “Center” which is where rigs stands behind the handler with his head between the legs. From this position I will teach him “Forward” where he walks forward and stops with his hind legs beneath the handler. The owner expressed the desire for Riggs to provide some assistance with strangers and this forward command will present Riggs to approaching strangers as a barrier to his handler. It will be a slightly more intimidating command than “block.”
Overall this was a good week and Riggs has shown improvement in being food motivated and his engagement. He also is understanding “back” more and if he pulls too far ahead in a heel, he will back up to where he is supposed to be which is next to the handler.
-Smith
