“Go Wild & Freeze”
This is a game that is all about having a great time, but teaching your dog that he MUST remain in control of himself. You will also enjoy this game because you can now act like a total idiot with your dog and this dog trainer won’t even raise an eyebrow about it 🙂
Take your dog outside or down the basement to play where there is plenty of room to run around. Remember to have your dog’s leash or a long-line attached to his harness or collar before you begin playing.
Before you play this game:
- Hold onto the leash
- Ask your dog to sit
- Once he’s seated, ask him, “wanna go wild?” in a real excited and happy voice
- Start running around, but only for a very short distance (maybe a foot)
- Immediately stop running and tell the dog to sit!
- Give him a treat if he sits instantly!
- Repeat all 5 steps for a good 3-4 times before lengthening your run.
As you and your dog really get into the game, as long as he is sitting for you as soon as you ask him to, you can begin lengthening the distance and time that you’re both running around. Run around in a straight line at first. Then begin running around in circles. You can now discontinue the food treat for sitting, as the reward for sitting will be playing the game.
If you notice that your dog is getting too revved up, go back to the last level where he was able to control himself. Once he’s doing well at that level again, slowly raise the bar by allowing longer wild playtimes before you again ask him to sit for you.
I have had owners successfully play this game with very jumpy dogs. Require that your dog use good self-control, and his reward will be getting to play for longer periods of time.
