Lara was so scared when we first began working with her, we could not get within 15 feet of her. We began very slowly reinforcing her for looking at us, moving toward us and then eventually touching our hand. After many weeks we gave this behavior a cue. Now when she is inside and not scared if we tell her touch she will nudge our hand. This may seem like a simple behavior and one most dogs learn in about five seconds. With Lara it has taken weeks, actually months and we are delighted. This simple cue helps us to guide her around, move her inside and out and play confidence games with her. Watch Lara playing the 'Touch Game"
After four months of working with a very scared rescue dog today we were finally able to give her the physical cue for sit and she did. You will notice from my face I am trying to be restrained, any loud noise or physical movement will scare her. The last video is Lara touching, sitting and downing. If the volume was not turned down the silence of restraint but big grins would have deafened you