Circle, Square, and Figure-8 Walking

Walking in predictable patterns can make it easier for your dog to figure out what is being expected.  While teaching our dog to maintain attention while out on leash we can use these patterns to build duration, regain focus, perfect our leash handling, practice our treat delivery, and build up real world reps on leash.

Prerequisite Skills	Gear
Leash and Harness Desensitization Marker Word Heel position	Leash and/or harness Treat Pouch with Treats

• All three patterns are taught similarly:

  • Position

    • Get your dog into a heel position.

    • Heel position can be taught independently, or you can lure the dog into heel position – left or right side

  • Pattern Size

    • Pattern size may be constrained by the environment

    • Initial size should be big enough that it’s a gradual turn for rounded edges or 3-4 steps between sharp turns

    • Pattern sizes can be increased as part of the generalization

  • Movement

    • Start walking in your desired pattern

    • Mark and reward the dog for walking with you

  • Reward Progression

    • Rewards should be delivered as often as required for the dog to maintain the heel position.

    • The progression may look something like this:

      • Food used as a constant lure:

        • Reward every 2-3 steps

        • Reward every 4-5 steps

        • Reward every 6-7 steps

        • Reward for completed 1 full repetition of the patter

      • Repeat but work on Fading the Lure

        • Note: If your dog struggles with fading the lure you can implement a hand signal (a fist or open hand) as part of fading the lure to help keep the dog in position.

        • If a hand signal is required repeat the steps and work on fading the hand signal

  • Stay Patient!

    • Your dog may not understand at first. Take your time and build the connection and then the behavior.

    • If you are struggling with engagement, consider whether or not the environment is too hard and if you need to focus on building engagement first.

  • Generalization

    • Once your dog is able to walk cleanly around a pattern it’s time to work on generalizing this skill.

    • Keep the distraction low but practice in different locations such as inside, backyard, driveway, neighborhood, and parks.

    • Practice with the dog working on both your left and on your right

    • Practice walking both clockwise and counterclockwise through each pattern.

    • Intentionally work to add in distraction

      • The distance the distraction needs to be, will be close enough they know it’s there but far enough they aren’t disengaging to interact with it.  The long-term goal is to get these distractions into the center and near the path you are walking.

      • Common distractions would include things like dog toys, dog food, dog treats, high value foods, novel objects, bushes, other people, or other dogs

• Patterns

  • Circle Walking:

  

  • Square Walking:

  

  • Figure-8 Walking: