Over Arms

This delightful trick can show off your dog's athleticism.

Introduction

The over arms trick is a fun and impressive trick that can show off your dog's athleticism. It is a great way to get your dog moving and having fun, and it is also a great way to improve your dog's coordination and balance.

To teach your dog the over arms trick, you will need a treat or toy that your dog loves. You will also need to be patient and consistent.

Steps to Address

Teaching Phase

While facing a wall, have your dog sit next to you and hold out your hand against the wall. Place a treat on the opposite side of your arm and tell your dog to jump over it to get it. (Try lowering your arm if he goes under it.)
Repeat step 1 many times until your dog is consistently jumping over your arm to get the treat.
Start to add some distance between you and the wall and repeat step 2.
Start rewarding from your other hand instead of the ground once your dog is consistently jumping over your arm.
Increase the distance between you and the wall until your dog can jump over your arm while you're totally away from it.

Reinforcing Phase

Once your dog has mastered jumping over your arm away from the wall, it's time to start working on teaching him to jump over your arms in a circle motion.
Have your dog sit in front of you with treats in both hands. Place a reward behind your arm and direct your dog to it. Switch hands and signal your dog to jump over your other arm as he jumps over yours.
Repeat step 2 many times until your dog is consistently jumping over your arms in a circle motion.
Once your dog is consistently jumping over your arms in a circle motion 80-90% of the time with minimal reinforcement or lures, you can start giving a verbal cue "over" or "arms" just before he jumps over your arm. Reward with each success.

Proofing Phase

Once your dog is responding to the verbal cue "over" or "arms" consistently, you can start to introduce distractions. For example, you could practice the trick in a different room, with other people or animals around, or with a toy or treat present.
Continue to reward your dog for successfully jumping over your arms, even with distractions present.
Gradually increase the level of distractions over time.

Maintenance Phase

Once your dog is able to jump over your arms in a circle motion reliably in a variety of situations with distractions present, you can start to practice the trick less frequently.
However, it is important to continue to practice the trick periodically to maintain your dog's skills.
Be sure to reward your dog for successfully jumping over your arms, even in the maintenance phase.

Common Misconceptions

Some common misconceptions about the over arms trick include:

You need to use a lot of force or pressure to get your dog to jump over your arms. This is not the case. Positive reinforcement is the best way to teach this trick.
You need to start with a high-value treat. This is not necessarily true. You can start with a lower-value treat and gradually increase the value of the treat as your dog gets better at the trick.
Your dog will never be able to learn this trick. This is not true. With patience and consistency, most dogs can learn this trick.

Case Studies

Here are some case studies of dogs that have learned the over arms trick:

Sparky was a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever who was very excited and had a hard time sitting still. His owner started by teaching him the sit and down commands. Once Sparky could reliably do these commands, his owner started teaching him the over arms trick. With patience and consistency, Sparky was able to learn the over arms trick in just a few weeks.
Luna was a 6-month-old Golden Retriever who was very stubborn. Her owner started by teaching her the sit and down commands with a high-value treat. Once Luna could reliably do these commands, her owner started to gradually decrease the value of the treat. With patience and consistency, Luna was able to learn the over arms trick in about a month.

Pet Parent Coaching Tips

Here are some pet parent coaching tips for teaching the over arms trick:

Be patient and consistent. It may take some time for your dog to learn this trick.
Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with treats and praise when they do the trick correctly.
Do not force your dog into the position. This will only make them frustrated and less likely to learn the trick.
Be prepared to adjust your training plan as needed. If your dog is struggling, you may need to start back at a lower level of difficulty.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I practice the over arms trick?
A: You should practice the over arms trick every day. Start with short sessions and gradually increase the duration over time.

Q: What should I do if my dog gets up before I say the cue word?
A: Do not punish your dog. Simply redirect them back to the sit or down position and start the session again.

Q: What should I do if my dog is distracted?
A: Remove the distractions or move to a quieter place.

Q: How long will it take my dog to learn the over arms trick?
A: It will vary depending on the individual dog. Some dogs may learn it quickly, while others may take more time. Be patient and consistent, and your dog will eventually learn the over arms trick