- What does your dog learn at Notre Dog Academy?
We are currently in the process of changing our levels to have fewer behaviors on each test, but this gives you an idea of what they will be working on.
Level 1 Cues:
Come: touch your nose to my palm (requires moving)
Down: put your whole body on the floor (lay down)
Drop-it: let go of the object in your mouth
Kennel: go into a kennel
Leave-it: completely disengage with the object you are looking at (stationary)
Muzzle: put your face into a muzzle and allow it to be buckled
"Name" (your dog's official name): look at my face
Settle: return to a calm state
Sit: put your bottom on the ground
Wait: do not cross this clear designation (usually a doorway)
Yes: you did it right, you are about to receive a reward, and you are done!
Other level 1 behaviors without cues:
Attention: look at my face without being asked inside with no distractions
Deal with frustration: be able to calm yourself when on a tether without instruction
Handling: allow someone to examine you as a vet would (ears, paws, teeth, abdomen, tail, back)
Leash Skills: walk with a loose leash inside
Polite Greeting: put your bottom on the floor when a human approaches
Level 2 Cues:
All previous cues at a higher difficulty
Back: take one step back with all four paws
Good: continue doing exactly what you are doing
Leave-it: completely disengage with the object you are looking at (while walking)
Off: place all four paws on the floor
Paws-up: put front paws up on an indicated object or wall
Stand: stand up with all four paws on the floor
Other level 2 behaviors without cues:
All previous behaviors at a higher difficulty
Handling 2: open mouth, bend legs, standing restraint, lateral recumbency, venipuncture restraint, basic spinal exam
Nail trimmer desensitization: allow all four paws to be lifted and touched with the nail trimmer
Level 3 Cues:
All previous cues at a higher difficulty
Get-it: put this object in your mouth
Turn: turn your body around
Jump-on: place all four paws on this object
Mat: go to a mat, lay down, and stay there until released
Other level 3 behaviors without cues:
All previous behaviors at a higher difficulty
Handling 3: dorsal recumbency, jugular venipuncture restraint, lifting, brushing teeth