WW240: June 13- Chin up! Teaching a Strong Solid Chin Rest Behavior

Course Details

The chin rest is an incredibly useful and versatile foundation skill. The more I use it, the more uses I find for it. I find it particularly helpful for cooperative care skills and stationary exercises. Once my dog has a solid and comfortable chin rest behavior then I can add more challenges in a variety of ways.

At its heart the chin rest sounds so very simple; your dog rests his chin in the palm of your hand. From there you can move on to a 2 handed chin rest, a muzzle wrap, and chin rests to various surfaces. Duration can be extended and then other procedures and challenges can be added to the position.

Join Deb for a week to work through a comprehensive step by step plan to develop strong and consistent chin rest behavior.

Step 1:

Single handed chin rest: getting the initial behavior

Step 2A:

Double chin rest: two hands

Step 2 B:

Double chin rest with muzzle wrap: thumbs over muzzle

Step 3:

Towel or pillow in lap: transferring the behavior

Step 4:

Ottoman/stool/chair/other prop

Step 5:

Reverse luring & zen bowl for duration and distraction

Step 6:

Adding handling

Step 7:

Variations (recalls, fronts, middle or reverse front position, targeting, distractions)

Lecture Publish Date: Sunday June 13

Video Submissions Due Date:  Sunday June 20 @ 12pm noon PT

Feedback & Questions Video Publish Date: Wednesday June 23

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