You will use this command when you need your dog to get off of an object or a person and put all four paws on the ground.
As with other commands, this activity helps deepen your dog’s ability to communicate with you. With each new command or task, your dog is also gaining trust you are the pack leader, and they are relieved that they do not been to be responsible for the safety of the pack.
You will be using the “Paws Up” command to get your dog into a starting position to learn this command, so make sure that you have mastered Apple #5 before attempting to teach this command.
Setting up for the Activity
For this activity we recommend that, as much as possible, you “ditch the bowl,” which means that you temporarily feed your dog their daily portions through training rewards, rather than in their bowl.
Use the hand/finger position taught in the Follow My Hands (Apple #3). Take several pieces of food in the palm of your hand, and dispense pieces with your thumb by rolling them from your palm to your fingertips.
If you are not feeling kind, calm, and confident, do not train your dog until you are in a better mental state. Kindness is a choice, calmness takes practice, and confidence comes with education, which will grow as you master this activity.
Activity Steps
Start with the “paws up” position that you learned in Apple #5, with your dog’s paws up on a raised platform, head up, and eyes on you.
Once they are in position, take your treat hand (in the Apple #3 position) and lure them off the stool with that hand while saying “Off!”
In the exact moment that your dog’s four paws touch the ground, mark the correct behavior with a “Yes!” and dispense a treat from your treat hand. As your dog starts to get the hang of it, change the marker word from “Yes” to “Yes! Off!”
The marker needs to happen in the very moment your dog succeeds. Otherwise, your dog will be confused about what you are asking them to do. After marking and treating, make sure to praise them as well.
Once your dog knows how to get off by following your treat hand, you want to train them on a hand signal instead—pointing with your finger to where you want them to go.
Have a treat ready in your treat pouch or in your other hand, but use your non-treat hand to give the hand signal. Start with your dog in the same “paws up” position, and then point to where you want them to go as you say “Off!”
The moment all four paws hit the ground, mark the correct behavior with a “Yes! Off!” as you treat them from your other hand.
If your dog is struggles, consider the three D’s—distance, duration, and distraction. Shorten the distance between you, or the length of time you require them to obey before rewarding, or lessen any distractions (noises, children, other dogs, etc)..
Training Pattern
At first, you start by using a treat to encourage your dog to perform a desired behavior. Then reward them with the marker word “yes,” accompanied by a treat.
Second, you do the same thing, but you add the command to the marker word by saying, “Yes! Off!” This associates the command with the desired behavior.
Third, you do everything the same, except that you speak the command word as you begin. You will continue using a treat in your hand to encourage your dog. Each time they are successful, say “Yes!” (no need to add the command word here), and treat.
Finally, you will begin by speaking the command, and when your dog succeeds at the desired behavior, no treat or follow-up “Yes!” is needed.
The body language of pointing towards where you want them to go should always accompany the spoken command. Body language is even more important than the spoken command.
Training Over Time
As your dog succeeds at this activity, increase the distance between you and your dog. If you dog falters at a further distance, shorten the distance back to where they last succeeded, and always end on a success.
You should also randomize the treating, so that your dog is not dependent on a food lure to follow the command.
As you dog gains a good grasp of this activity, consider the three D’s again. Now, increase the distance as you train, require a longer duration before rewarding, and add in distractions to help your dog succeed at higher and higher levels.
