Puppy Challenges

Novice Puppy

Attention & Engagement

Attention Games - Outdoors

  • Showcase your puppy looking at you unprompted 5 times while outdoors

  • Showcase your puppy responding to their name by looking at you for 5 reps while outdoors

  • Always mark and reward for looking at you

Impulse Control

It’s Me Or the Cookie - Open Hand Near Puppy’s Face

  • Showcase your puppy looking at you instead of a treat in your open hand presented near your puppy’s face for 5 reps

  • This should be an assumed leave-it, not a leave-it cue

  • Reward your puppy a variety of ways: delivering the treat to them, releasing to the treat in your hand, or giving them a different treat

Toy Alternate - Skills For Toys

  • Showcase your puppy performing a behaviour before being released to a toy reward 5 times

  • You can pick any behaviour you want. Sit, Down, Touch or Spin are all good choices! You do not need to have your puppy do the same behaviour every time

  • Make sure you have fun playing with your puppy to reward them

Station Training

Proofing “Go To Mat” - 10 second Duration & Handler Motion

  • Showcase your dog staying on the mat for 10 seconds while you stand still, only rewarding after the 10 seconds are over

  • Showcase your dog staying on the mat while you move on the spot or a step to either side. You can reward your puppy between movements

  • You can combine these aspects together, or do them separately

Sit, Down & Stand

Proofing Sits & Downs - 10 Second Duration

  • Showcase your puppy sitting for 10 seconds before you mark and reward

  • Showcase your puppy laying down for 10 seconds before you mark and reward

  • Stand still and stay close to your puppy. You can praise them if you want

  • You can release your puppy after the 10 seconds, and reward in position, or released to a toy or food

Recall

Restrained Recalls - Outdoors

  • Showcase your puppy doing 5 restrained Recalls while Outside

  • Your puppy can be on or off leash, but they should be in a fenced in area or on a long line for safety

  • Your puppy should look like they are excited and having fun recalling to you

Focused Walking

Loose Leash Walking Games - Stop & Go

  • Showcase your puppy engaging in the “Stop & Go” game indoors or outdoors for a minimum of 5 rewards

  • You can move backwards away from your puppy or have them moving beside you or a mix of both

  • Your puppy should look happy and connected to you, and you should be moving together. Your leash can be dragging on the ground or loosely held in your hand.

Bonus Skill

Spins With Hand Signal

  • Showcase your puppy spinning with a hand signal both directions, 3 repetitions each side

  • Mark & Reward your puppy for each repetition

  • Keep things fun and exciting