Let’s talk the “centre” position, or “middle” if you will. Though it may look more like a party trick, this can be an extremely useful skill for dogs when faced with crowded or tight situations where it’s best to maintain control. I had this dog (see pug) in a full elevator, like full full. She is extremely used to me throwing her into this position to put her collar on. There were about six or seven of us stuffed into this tiny elevator, so I figured it best to have her out of the way, so stuck her in centre. The benefits? It kept her out of the way of everyone’s feet in a small space, eliminating chances of her getting stepped on. It helped her feel more secure in her surroundings, it eliminated any chance of her darting out at someone who may be unsure of dogs, and it kept her completely clear of the door, avoiding any accidents.
So if you think this is just a party trick, you may want to actually look into the uses of these types of “tricks” and see how they can benefit you and your dog in real life. The centre position is homework in all of our Basic Classes. 😁
I have included below a full video on how to teach both ways of achieving this position with your dog. Remember, start in low distraction and take the proper steps to build upon the position in a positive manner.
Happy training!!
Smart Dogs Canine Training Milton 