Lure, Mark and Reward Dog Training’ method

Blog 19/3/19

The Lure, Mark and Reward Dog Training’ method is the best way to teach your dog new behaviors. 

I begin this training when a puppy is 8 weeks old. They are a ‘blank sheet’,...a sponge for learning.

Contrary to the saying,...

‘you CAN teach an OLD DOG new tricks’.

It is certainly the best way to teach your pup, infact, any dog, to walk at heel. And it’s never to late to try this dog training method.

The ‘Lure, Mark and Reward Dog Training’ method uses a ‘treat’ to lure your dog into different positions. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose, then slowly move your hand to manoeuvre your dog into any position you want.

The treat acts like a target for your dogs nose. And their body will follow their nose. For example, if you want him to ‘sit’, move the treat up and over his head. As they look up at the treat, their rear will go down, to the ground.

It works for positions like ‘drop/down’. And for movements such as ‘stand’, ‘finish’ & ‘spin’.

If you want your dog to ‘spin’, move the treat counter clockwise in a circle. After your dog completes the behaviour, mark that behaviour (yes) and reward them so that they know they did what you wanted.

I suggest 20 repetitions with a food reward and your dog will get it. Your dog is beginning to understand ‘behaviour & reward’. If you are patient, you will see your dog beginning to ‘think’. And the best thing is that you will be able to measure and track your dogs progress.

As a labrador breeder and dog trainer, I swear by this dog training method.

Luring is the beginning of dog training

In my opinion, ‘luring’ the most useful technique for us to use in the beginning of a training program with a young dog.

A ‘lure’ enables us to move a dog into different positions without having physically moving your dog in any way.

Luring establishes the foundation of reward for  behaviour.

Luring enables us to quickly teach behaviours that many dogs initially resist without the reward incentive .

A  lure is a ‘high value treat’ presented to your dog that it the can target & follow with its nose.

Once we have established the position or a behaviour that we want,  the lure is replaced with a ‘reward marker’ immediately preceding a good reward.

The lure is of no use if you allow the dog to snatch it from your hand.

Your dog will quickly identify the difference between your hand holding the lure,  and your hand offering food reward.

LURE YOUR DOG TO WALK AT HEEL

The 'HEEL' position is behind the line of your left thigh. Walking in the HEEL  position is taught separately to sitting at HEEL.

LURING your dog to walk at HEEL is a very easy exercise. 

I always begin to teach my chocolate labradors this luring exercise beside a wall, preferably inside the house where there are no distractions. The wall ensures that the dog stays square to your position. Your dog is between you and the wall. And this will also ensure that your dog learns to stay close to you.

I commence all new training routines 'indoors' before venturing outside and to a park. The dog needs to learn a routine without exposure to distractions. You can progressively introduce distractions.

CARRY A TREAT POUCH. You'll need a lot of treats.

Remember that the 'heel' position is behind the line of your left thigh.

Place a piece of food in your left hand between your index finger & thumb. Position your left hand adjacent to your left thigh with your palm open and aligned to the rear.

Hold the treat under your thumb.

Your dog will ‘target’ the food in your hand and automatically position its nose in the palm of your hand.

Give the command, ‘Heel’, then commence walking and ‘lure’ your dog. The food is the ‘target of the lure’.

Walk 3 paces, then ‘mark / confirm’ the behaviour by saying 'YES'. Then,... promptly release the food, not before 1 second.

'YES' marks & confirms the successful behaviour and the dog begins to anticipate the treat. This is the essence of ‘Reward Based Marker Training’.

'YES MEANS TREAT'

Repeat this exercise, like all training routines, a minimum of 20 times each session. Progressively increase the number of steps you take. If the dog loses concentration, reduce the steps / shorten the distance / reduce the time duration.

If your dog gets ahead of you, reverse your direction 180 degrees and repeat the lure.

As your dog advances, you can vary the routine by turning left, right, side step, figure eight, saying 'heel' at every turn.

The sit position will quickly become automatic when you stop. Soon, you will not need to give the sit command.

Learn to lure your dog

If you want your dog to walk at heel, luring will be your best training option.

When you first lure your dog, it will quite naturally assume that you are offering something to eat.

It will naturally try to take the food treat from your hand. You will want to use this 'drive' to direct your dogs energy into a training exercise. 

If your dog is 'food driven', a piece of kibble as a 'low value reward' may be sufficient as the 'target'. Otherwise, a small piece of sausage or cheese should be adequate as a 'high value reward'. 

Think of a lure as the trail and the food treat as the ‘target’,... and 'reward'. If you want your dog to follow your lure, you need to give them a signal.

Stand either beside or in front of your dog and approach the dog’s nose with your left hand to commence the lure.

Offer the food treat from the flat of your hand, holding the food between your thumb and forefinger.   If your dog is very food driven and tries to snatch the treat food from your hand, withdraw the food by closing your fist, and moving your hand away. 

To commence the 'lure', move your left hand towards the dog’s nose then move the 'target' a short distance. When the dog approaches your hand,...'Mark' (confirm) the movement with 'YES' & reward the dog with the treat. 

The first step is to 'lure' your dog to follow the 'target' and move his head towards your hand.

Mark and reward your dog Immediately when it moves its nose in the direction of the target. 

YES is the reward marker by which you let the dog know that they are doing the right thing.

Follow the marker with the (treat) reward within 1 second of marking the behaviour. Mark and reward any behaviour you want from your dog.