Exercise 2-1: Chin Rest
Double w/ muzzle wrap; in lap to pillow or towel; 5 seconds each
At this level the chin rest requires you to demonstrate two variations. The first is the double chin rest with muzzle wrap (dog’s head is fully in both palms and you lift your thumbs up to rest over the top of the muzzle). For dogs with tiny or giant muzzles, you may lift your thumbs up to rest along the sides of your dog’s mouth.
The second is to a pillow or towel in your lap. This one can be initiated by cue or with a lure, but without any physical manipulation. For small dogs, you may choose to sit on the floor and do a chin rest to your lap or leg there.
Exercise 2-1: Chin Rest
Double w/ muzzle wrap; in lap to pillow or towel; 5 seconds each
At this level the chin rest requires you to demonstrate two variations. The first is the double chin rest with muzzle wrap (dog’s head is fully in both palms and you lift your thumbs up to rest over the top of the muzzle). For dogs with tiny or giant muzzles, you may lift your thumbs up to rest along the sides of your dog’s mouth.
The second is to a pillow or towel in your lap. This one can be initiated by cue or with a lure, but without any physical manipulation. For small dogs, you may choose to sit on the floor and do a chin rest to your lap or leg there.
Purpose: Both of these variations of the chin rest can be very useful for encouraging your dog to hold his head still for grooming and veterinary care. The double chin rest with muzzle wrap allows us to add an extra measure of stability and control as necessary. The pillow or towel chin rest allows us to begin generalizing the behavior to different objects and surfaces.
Equipment: A prop such as a towel or pillow to put on your lap. Treats.
Set up: For the first variation (double chin rest with muzzle wrap) the handler and dog can be in any comfortable position. The handler either offers both hands and the dog moves into position, or the handler places her hands directly under the dog’s muzzle. The handler’s thumbs are placed up the sides and over the top of the muzzle (adjusting for the size of the dog and shape of the muzzle).
For the second variation (chin rest to a pillow or towel in your lap) the handler will sit on a piece of furniture or on the floor (if working with a small dog). The handler may cue or lure the dog into position if desired.
Scoring: This exercise will be considered “passing” if both variations are completed for a minimum duration of 5 seconds each. The dog’s head should remain firmly in the chin rest position. Both parts of the exercise (double chin rest with muzzle wrap & chin rest on pillow or towel in handler’s lap) must be clearly shown and completed.
Non-qualifiers: The dog repeatedly moves his head during the 5 second duration. Each variation of the exercise is not held for the full 5 seconds of duration. The handler must put physical pressure on the dog to maintain either position.
Tips: During training it is very helpful to be calm, quiet, and steady in the way you reinforce your dog at the end of each repetition. Our goal is for a relaxed position rather than building up anticipation for the release. Take your time building duration, varying shorter and longer intervals.
Video example:
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