How to teach your dog the "back vault" trick
Introduction
A back vault is a trick where your dog jumps over your back. It is a fun and impressive trick that can be taught to any dog with patience and training.
Things you may need:
- A vaulting vest or protective padding for your back
- A Chuckit Paraflight Flyer (optional)
Common Misconceptions
Some people think that only certain breeds of dogs can learn to do back vaults. However, any dog can learn this trick, regardless of their breed or size.
Steps to Address
Teaching Phase:
- Step 1: Get down on your hands and knees with your dog by your side. (Skip to step 5 if your dog already knows "backstall."
- Step 2: Have a friend help to lure your dog onto your back. Mark and reward when all four of his paws go onto your back.
- Step 3: To do this trick without the help of a friend, while on your knees, raise a treat in the air with one of your hands. If your dog can see the reward, he should hop on your back on his own.
Reinforcing Phase:
- Step 4: Repeat the previous steps several times until your dog is comfortable jumping up onto your back on his own.
- Step 5: Once your dog is successfully jumping onto your back, start to use a disc instead of a treat for a reward.
- Step 6: Toss a frisbee up in the air for your dog to grab after vaulting off your back after cuing your dog to jump onto your back. Before raising height, work on disc placement and accuracy.
- Step 7: Repeat step 6 several times until your dog is consistently catching the frisbee.
Proofing Phase:
- Step 8: Start practicing back vault around other environments with more energy and distraction.
- Step 9: Add distance and duration gradually over time.
Maintenance Phase:
- Step 10: Consistently practice back vault in every obedience session, reinforcing variably over time upon completions. Apply corrections if the dog does not respond appropriately after one command.
Case Studies
There are many success stories of dogs who have learned to do back vaults. One such story is that of a dog named Buddy. Buddy was a rescue dog who was not very interested in learning tricks. However, with patience and training, he learned to do back vaults and even competed in a dog show.
Pet Parent Coaching Tips
Here are a few tips for pet parents who are teaching their dogs to do back vaults:
- Be patient and positive. It takes time and patience to teach a dog to do back vaults. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't get it right away. Just keep practicing and they will eventually learn.
- Make sure your dog is having fun. If your dog is not enjoying themselves, they are less likely to want to learn.
- Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog for their efforts, even if they don't get it perfect right away.
- Start with short training sessions. Don't try to teach your dog too much at once.
- Be consistent with your training. Practice regularly and your dog will eventually learn to do back vaults.
Conclusion
Back vaults are a fun and impressive trick that can be taught to any dog with patience and training. With a little bit of practice, your dog will be vaulting over your back in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How long does it take to teach a dog to do a back vault?
A: It depends on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn it in a few weeks, while others may take a few months. Just be patient and keep practicing and your dog will eventually learn to do back vaults. - Q: What kind of dog is best for learning back vaults?
A: Any dog can learn to do back vaults, regardless of their breed or size. However, some breeds are more naturally inclined to this trick, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Shelties.