In the video on this page, you can see Momo first learning to walk on a plank at 4 months of age. Then see her gradually overcome her fear of the teeter.
Here are some Pro Tips that will help you help your dog to enjoy the teeter obstacle (also known as the seesaw).
Start small. Be patient and take small steps. Have your dog walk a plank that is lying flat on the ground. Reward her profusely with a secondary reinforcer and follow that up with a delicious high valued primary reinforcer.
Next, perhaps at another session, have her stand next to a teeter while you push it down and then let it fall back with a bang. The idea of doing this is to desensitize her to the sound of the teeter when she mounts it. Do this at least 3 times. If she shows any signs of fear, stop and try again later, but be more gentle with the teeter.
Another exercise is to prop one end of teeter up with a chair. Or have an assistant hold the teeter in place like that. Then lift your dog onto the teeter near the end of the teeter already touching the ground. Then call her to come to the end of the teeter and stop with her front paws on the turn but her back legs still on the teeter. Reinforce and treat.
Later, have your dog mount the teeter herself while you hold the other end of the teeter so it won't come down quickly. Lower it down slowly. Place treats on the teeter to entice her to continue on the teeter. Or you can use a toy or plastic bag. (Be careful when using a plastic bag that your puppy doesn't swallow it.)
Gradually, place your puppy higher and higher up on a teeter propped up by a chair. Invite her to run down the teeter.
If you have learned the secret
Zotz Technique taught in the online course, which promotes running contacts, you can use that so your puppy does not jump off the teeter.
To learn more about Contact Secrets, <== click here.
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In the video, here, you can see Magic Momo's progress from walking on a plank on the turn to smacking down the teeter quickly and properly at a Grand Prix USDAA trial. Finally, see her racing through weave poles like a champion. The concept illustrated, here, is to reward successive approximations of the end goal.
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