
Exercise 1-6: Send to vertical target
Send dog to vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away.
Handler cues the dog to go to any vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away. Target touch is optional but dog must approach within a half-body length of target.

Exercise 1-6: Send to vertical target
Send dog to vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away.
Handler cues the dog to go to any vertical target placed 5 ft. (1.5 m) away. Target touch is optional but dog must approach within a half-body length of target.
Purpose: Distance behaviors can be taught and refined with nose targeting.
Equipment: Object such as a stanchion, pole, piece of tape on a wall, upright target stick, etc.
Exercise set-up: The exercise begins when the handler cues the nose-touch behavior with a verbal and/or hand signal. Dog may start in any position with the handler (between legs, left or right side). The exercise ends when the dog touches the target with his/her nose or is less than 1/2 body length away from target.
Scoring: Pass/Not yet!
Non-qualifiers: Dog requires multiple cues to go and approach or touch the object. Handler moves feet at any time. Object is less than 5 ft. (1.5 m) away from dog’s starting point. Dog stops more than 1/2 body length away from target. Dog makes an arc around the object rather than moving directly towards the object. Video does not permit the exercise to be adequately judged.
Tip: The exercise ends when the dog is close (less than a half-body length) to the target; it is your choice to ask for a position, call the dog back, send the dog around, or go to your dog — nothing is judged after the dog reaches the target.
Video example:
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