Pre-cavaletti skills
Who is it for?
Dogs of all ages can walk across cavaletti poles. It is especially helpful for older dogs who have no prior training experience, like shelter or rescue dogs. Dogs who like to do things at top speed will also learn to slow down and pay attention by walking across cavaletti poles.
What are the main goals?
Our goal is to encourage the dog to walk across the cavaletti pole without hitting or stepping on them. We also want the dog to focus on the poles, not us. It is important to remember that this is a body awareness exercise that will help the dog learn how to use lift their legs to go over each pole. We want them to walk across the poles with control.
What do you need?
Some cavaletti-type setup, such as:
A few poles (e.g., shower curtain rods, broom handles, pool noodles cut in half length-wise)
A few hula hoops
A few rolled up towels
A flat and non-slippery floor
Soft, yummy treats
Your dog :)
Helpful tips
To get the dog to keep their head looking forward instead of us, I usually drop the treat on the ground. We can also use a target stick or a lure (e.g., smear cheese or peanut butter on a wooden spoon)
If the dog rushes through the poles, here are some things to try:
Put multiple treats in between the poles
Use less yummy treats, like kibbles, carrots, or celery bits
Give the treat slowly. If you rush to drop the treat, the dog will rush to get it too.
If you can, use poles with a contrasting color against the ground or poles with stripes. This will help the dog see better.