Welcome to Section 2: Foot Targeting
This section includes 7 lessons for you to progress through.
I recommend doing all of the exercises in each lesson during one session, and practicing that lesson until fluency before progressing on to the next lesson.
Equipment for Section 2:
Four Individual Foot Targets
Refining Individual Limb Awareness Skills
Individual foot targets represent the most precise stage of target training, building on the body awareness skills developed with the larger feet targets.
They help dogs develop individual limb awareness and control and are a prerequisite for advanced targeting skills, including paw pod exercises and individual limb lifts.
These targets should be slightly larger than the dog’s paw.
Recommended Height:
- Small Dogs: ~1/2″ to 1″
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Medium Dogs: ~1″ to 1.5″
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Large Dogs: ~1.5-2″
Recommended Width & Length:
**photo courtesy of Wiggle Butts Design Labs
One way to size individual foot targets is by tracing the outline of your dog’s paw and measuring the widest points of the tracing.
Another method is to place your dog in a square stand or sit position, measure from the outside of one front paw to the outside of the other, and then use 1/4 to 1/2 of this measurement, squared.
Example:
If a dog’s width is 10″, individual foot targets would be approximately 2.5–5″ squares or circles.
Individual Foot Target Ideas:
- Cork Coasters
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Small hot pot stands
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Flower pot plates covered in yoga mat or gator grip
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Silicone drying dish mat cut slightly larger than the dog’s paw
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Foam puzzle pieces cut to size
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Small square pavers
Use:
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4 individual foot targets – 1 for each paw!
Individual Foot Target Tips:
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Add Velcro to the bottom of the targets and attach them to a rug to prevent sliding
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Use a mirror to monitor rear foot placement – this can help with marking and rewarding the precise moment your dog’s feet are on the targets.