Up-Down Game
Step 1
Place a treat or treats on the ground directly in front of your feet.
If you have a dog who is prone to treat searching, you may also use a dish or a bowl.
Step 2
Stand upright and allow your dog to eat the treats.
Resist the urge to prompt your dog for attention, even if it takes him a moment to re-engage after eating the food.
The magic comes from the offered attention!
Step 3
Once your dog looks up at you, mark “yes” or click and feed him on the ground once again.
As your dog starts to understand the game, you will see a seamless pattern start to occur:
Eat, look up, eat, look up, repeat!
See it in Action!
How is this game Helpful?
It is a simple 2-step game that is easy for dogs to pick up and difficult for them to mess up!
Because of how easy to remember this game is, it makes it a great game to play in new environments where your dog is learning to pay attention to you.
New handlers tend to accidentally repeat cues or nag their dog (especially when the dog is still learning HOW to pay attention!) This game relies on offered attention which means the handler learns how to stay quiet!!
Dogs sometimes struggle picking their head up from a dropped treat (what if there’s more??) This teaches them the skill of re-engaging with you after eating from the ground.
Tips!
If your dog enjoys sniffing and searching for food on the ground, using a dish or a bowl can be helpful to keep the food contained and let the dog be assured when he’s eaten everything.
While it is okay to use multiple treats, to avoid that “hunting” behavior, it may be best for some dogs that the handler only delivers one piece of treat per repetition.
Keep your dog on about a 6ft leash to prevent him from wandering off and leaving the game. In the very beginning, you want to be able to limit his options so that attention on you is the best idea he has in the moment!
