Learning the self-control of remaining on the board will carry over to better obedience throughout all his training. Also, the habit of staying on the board can prevent a lot of potential bad manners such as creeping and breaking. As always, if from the beginning, you set a high standard of performance in everything you teach, there will be less discipline required for compliance later on in your dog’s training life. Your dog will gain confidence in every aspect of his work and become a proud partner with you, his handler.
Even so, not every dog can handle what I consider normal, everyday disciplinary training. For these “soft” dogs, trainers like myself seek out confidence-building ways to teach and advance them. The platform board is especially helpful for these dogs and I know that many hunters prefer soft dogs because of their naturally submissive nature. Their training usually takes a bit longer but is well worth the effort. As one client explained to me, “They just listen better.” There’s something to be said for that theory.
As a side issue, I have also used my platform box to help teach my trainees to jump in the back of a pickup truck. Placing the box just below the tailgate makes it much easier for a reluctant student to learn how to jump into the truck bed; the box is a confidence booster to an apprehensive dog. Through his eyes, it significantly reduces the height required to jump onto the tailgate. Before long, your dog will be so confident that the box will no longer be needed.
As always, dogs tend to better understand what performance is expected of them when the parameters are well-defined. In addition to the trusty platform board, I also use a 3-inch square piece of outdoor carpeting in everyday field training. It shows the dog where his position should be at your side. Working dogs can learn that they must stay on the mat until sent for the retrieve. This promotes the habit of remaining steady instead of creeping forward. You may have additional ideas for using a mat because it can be placed anywhere you need it to teach your dog self-control in his everyday life.
I know it’s not rocket science fellow trainers, but it’s amazing how simple things like an elevated 2-foot square box or a piece of carpeting can have such an impact on dog behavior.
Give it a try. I think you’ll agree.
