Training 101: Orienting toward you via the Up-Down Pattern
The Up-Down Pattern (or “pattern game”) is one of the first things I teach new clients. It creates an opportunity for your dog to practice the action of orienting toward you, it strengthens your positive marker, and its simplicity makes it accessible to your dog even when they’re over-aroused. Lots of value here!
The more your dog practices orienting toward you, the more this action becomes automatic. I think of it along the lines of muscle memory—that’s a good analogy to understand how powerful patterns can be.
Relevant concepts: Positive marker, predictability, reinforcement history
Setup: Have low value treats or kibble ready in your pouch, and a handful ready in your hand.
Instructions:
Begin by placing a piece of food on the ground at your feet. (Your dog doesn’t need to do anything other than be right there with you.)
Wait as your dog eats it.
As soon as your dog picks their head up in your direction (aka orients toward you) mark “yes.”
Place the reinforcer on the ground in front of you.
Repeat steps 2-4 roughly five times.
Tips:
Plant your feet! You stay in one place the entire time.
No eye contact needed. The bar is much lower. It’s okay if they’re looking at your food bag, your shins, etc. so long as they’re looking in your direction. We only need them to orient toward you.
You will not be hand-feeding (delivering their treat from your hand to their mouth) at all during this game. All rewards are placed on the ground, which also starts the sequence all over again.
“Sequence” is really a better word than “game.”
