FF450: The Daredevil Within - Building Confidence Through Skateboarding

Prerequisite skills:

• informal stand stay or wait
• nose target to hand
• front and rear paw targets (Body Awareness Through Targeting)
• shaping experience helpful
  
  Here is a video clip showing what each behavior should look like: 
  
  Nose target should be done with closed mouth, paw target should be flat on target with no scratching motion.

Optional but helpful for fearful dogs: 
tug on cue (dog will tug a rope you are holding etc)

Equipment:

• clicker
• treat pouch (waist one that stays locked open is recommended)
• treats of suitable value for training location
• ball or tug toy etc as rewards during breaks
• child’s pull toy (large plastic car or truck the noisier the better)
• 2 x 6 foot leashes (ideally of different colours)
• H-body harness with a front clip (not the no-pull type as we don’t want to constrict the dog’s movement in any way)
  
  

  Here's  a video showing it (the second harness that is red is the one). Both my dogs wear this now.

   

   
• long light line (for distance work in public places where dog must be on leash)
• skateboard of suitable size for dog (there are 3 lengths) 17", 26" and 29" (longboard) The skateboard needs to be at least as long as your dog and about the same width in any shape. (wider and rboader is better for stability). No special brand, type needed. Check Freecycle, garage sales and second hand stores to find one that fits your dog. We will talk about different wheels in class so get what you can get to start. You can always get new wheels later.
• access to a large indoor/outdoor area with flat smooth surface at least 10 feet wide and 20 feet long (wide hallway, room, driveway etc) but not too smooth like a garage floor (too slick). Ideally without breaks or deep cracks.
• carpet or grass to start
• wobble board 4 feet x 4 feet with ball underneath or peanut balance or skateboard with loose trucks
• adjustable wrench or socket wrench set
• duct tape
• scissors
• flat board 4-6” wide by 8 to 12” long, half inch thick
• wood or plastic dowel or felt pen about 3/4 to 1 inch diameter, about same length as board width (4-6 inches)

Optional for sensitive dogs or if you don't have easy access to ramps:

various sizes of boards to make simple ramps -minimum 4 feet long but ideally longer, a variety of thicknesses from half inch to two inches thick (not particle board if you might get it wet outdoors, but can use it if kept dry)

laminate counter top material, hardboard or thin sheet metal piece at least 2 feet by 8 inches (longer is better-ideally 4 feet) and about 1/8 to 3/8 thickness-skateboard needs to roll easily over the edge)