There is some thought that fitness doesn't require much training. While, sure, you can probably get the dog to do the thing somehow, taking the time to work on training skills for both you and your dog will pay off. Wouldn't it be nice for you and your dog to avoid frustration, learn new skills faster and better understand each other during your sessions?

☑️ One simple thing you can do is to teach your dog a signal (dog trainer speak calls it a marker) that means they did what you wanted them to do. Some people use a clicker, some use a tongue click, some use a word. Pick something and be consistent. Start by giving the marker and immediately delivering a reward (think tiny pieces or part of their dinner if they’ll work for their normal food). I’m not looking to create overweight dogs here! Doing that repeatedly over a few sessions will teach the dog that a reward is coming when they hear the marker. Then, you can start integrating it into your training. Pick a behavior that you’re trying to teach and mark/reward as soon as they do it. Maybe you’re trying to get the dog to put their feet on something. Anytime a foot comes in contact with the equipment mark/reward it. Maybe the dog doesn’t even want to touch it. Well, back it up a step and mark/reward for walking toward it or maybe even looking at the equipment. Over time you should notice the dog making an effort to do the specific thing you’re rewarding. Good! You're communicating! 🎉

💢 Something to note: For the marker to be effective, it always gets rewarded. Maybe you thought the dog was going to touch the equipment, so you marked it, but then the dog didn’t follow through. You still owe them that reward or else you risk diluting the value of that marker and therefore your communication skills. So, even if you mess up, your dog still gets paid. Don’t be stingy! 💢

This is only scratching the surface, but you have to start somewhere. If you haven’t taught your dog a marker, give it a shot and let me know how it goes.