Trickovation Challenge: Step-Up

Our mini training challenges aren’t just about training new skills. The goal is to think about the micro-skills and training concepts that underpin effective training. You can apply many of the same concepts from daily Trickovation challenges to other skills. An excellent example of this is seen in the skill “step-up.”

For this challenge, you will need something sturdy for your dog to stand on with their two front paws. You can use a bucket, a book, a small step, or something else. First, train your dog to step onto the object you are using as a step. To use a lure to train the skill, think about how your dog’s body follows their head. Use a treat to slowly bring your dog to the step, and then move the treat away from the paw you want to come up so your dog takes weight off of that side to step up. Feed your dog for effort first, then for one step, and then for placing both front paws onto the step. You can also shape this by marking (yes or click) and then feeding your dog for any movement toward it on his own. Each time, wait for more until your dog offers the step up. Use your food delivery to help. If you toss the treat away from the step, you can get your dog to approach it from different angles.

One concept to learn about for the step-up skill is how to train stationary behaviors. This is like a sit or down stay because you will end it with a release word, or give your dog another cue. Once your dog puts his paws on the step, you will want to see stillness and focus until you say the end word “break.” You could also give another cue, such as “touch” with your hand away from the step, so your dog has to leave to go touch. Work on cueing your dog to step up, then reward for holding the stand with stillness. You can deliver the treat directly to your dog while he is on the step. Your dog shouldn’t offer other tricks unless you cue them. If your dog already knows how to pivot on the step, for example, your dog shouldn't pivot without the cue.

Swan/Melissa Viera

Practice sending your dog to the step from different distances away. You can use the micro-skills “search” and “catch” to add variety to your treat delivery. Search gets your dog off the step so that he has to set back up on cue. Catch can challenge your dog to pop up and land back on the step.

When your dog can wait for the cue “step-up”, and then step onto the step and wait for you to say “break” before leaving it, then you can add some more challenging games.

The step is great for training other skills, such as “stand for exam” for obedience and stillness for grooming. It’s also great for practicing sending your dog to a target.

Here are a few challenges to try:

Have your dog stay on the step while you pet your dog.

Have your dog stay on the step while you brush your dog.

Send your dog to the step from over 10’ away.

Call your dog off the step with a hand target (touch) and then send your dog back to the step (step-up).

Cue a hand touch while your dog remains on the step, so your dog pops up to touch and then lands in the same spot on the step.

These Trickovation training games will challenge your thinking and, hopefully, leave you considering how to apply the same concepts in other training areas.

Want MJ to review your dog’s training for this challenge? Share your progress in our Skool Community here.