Measuring tape training
Each training requires time and patience, so does measuring tape training. The success in training does not happen overnight. Therefore, each of the steps below is a training unit that should be repeated several times in a row. Train each unit about 2 – 3 times a day, for about 3 – 5 days. Or until your dog feels totally comfortable with it. Give yourselves enough time. Enjoy working together! Because each positive training promotes your loyalty and increases confidence – have fun! If you already use a clicker or similar in training, of course it can be used here as well!
The snout circumference
Step 1: Make the measuring tape interesting for your dog
Place the measuring tape where your dog can see it but can’t reach it (shelf or similar). Go there 3 – 5 times a day, make sure your dog is watching you, take the measuring tape, but don´t give it to your dog, keep it like a secret. Helpful in this, is to make your dog curious, e.g. “Oooooh, look, what do we have here…” Your voice is your instrument, a high, sweet voice is extremely interesting to dogs. This should not last longer than 1 minute, then put the tape back to the same place again.
Your dog is not curious about the measuring tape at all? Put a favourite toy, or favourite treats next to the measuring tape. This is how you start your measuring tape training.
Step 2: The first contact with the measuring tape, keep treats ready
If your dog is already totally curious about the measuring tape, go to the level of your dog’s snout. Show the measuring tape and let him or her sniff on it. If your dog sniffs, first praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Repeat this process a few times, then put the measuring tape back to the same place. Increase the duration of sniffing during the days of training.
Step 3: Briefly put the measuring tape on the snout, keep treats ready
If your dog already likes to sniff at the measuring tape, increase the exercise. Put the measuring tape on your dog´s snout (not longer than 1 second), First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Watch carefully how your dog reacts on that. If it does not matter to him, continue with this exercise. Slowly increase the time, so the measuring tape lies also longer on the nose. If it’s still scary for your dog, he or she may only sniff at the measuring tape again (step 2), but try to reduce this slowly. Always praise and reinforce your dog, train this step again for a few days. Increase the duration so that your dog allows the measuring tape to rest on his or her snout for a few seconds. You a re already pros in measuring tape training.
Step 4: Hang the measuring tape over the bridge of the nose, keep treats ready
If your dog does not bother with the measuring tape on the nose, increase the exercise. Hang the measuring tape over the bridge of your dog’s nose (not longer than 1 second). First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Increase the duration of the exercise every day so that your dog allows the measuring tape to rest on the bridge of the for a few seconds.
Step 5: Indicate a measuring tape loop, keep treats ready
If your dog accepts the measuring tape on the bridge of the nose, increase the exercise. Hang the measuring tape over the bridge of the nose and then form a measuring tape loop with your hand (not longer than 1 second). First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Increase the duration of the exercise each day. So that your dog allows the measuring tape loop to rest on the bridge of the nose for a few seconds.
Step 6: Measure the mouth circumference
Congratulations! The increased form of step 5 is already the measurement of the snout circumference. You completed the measuring tape training terrific! So you can go back to the measuring instructions.
The snout length
Step 7 for long snouts:
Place the measuring tape over the entire length of the nose bridge, keep treats ready
Your dog already thinks the measuring tape is really great, because whenever it is used, delicious treats follow. Place the measuring tape over the entire length of your dog’s snout. In front of the corners of the eyes on the bridge of the nose. Pull it to the outermost point of the nose peak (not longer than 1 second). First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Increase the duration of the exercise every day. So that your dog allows the measuring tape to rest on the bridge of the nose for a few seconds.
It might be your dog feels uncomfortable with this step, because you are bending over him or her and his or her head. If that is the case, take a lot of time again. You can start by holding only your hands/fingers over your dog’s snout/head. (not longer than 1 second). First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. After a few days you take the measuring tape in your hand. Again after a few days you place the measuring tape on the bridge of the nose. Do not forget to keep the duration very short, 1 second is enough and always praise and reinforce with treats!
Congratulations! The increased form of step 7 is already the measurement of the snout length. You did great work in measuring tape training! So you can go back to our measuring instructions.
Step 7 for short snouts, underbites or overbites:
Place the measuring tape on the side of the lips, keep treats ready
Your dog already thinks the measuring tape is really great, because whenever it is used, delicious treats follow. Place the measuring tape SIDELY in front of the corner of the eye. Pull it to the outmost point of the lips or nose peak, depending on what is longer on your dog. (not longer than 1 second) First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. Increase the duration every day. So that your dog allows the measuring tape to rest on the side of the lips for a few seconds. Always train on the same lefthand, either right or left, not alternating!
It might be your dog feels uncomfortable with this step, if that is the case, take a lot of time again. You can start by holding only your hands/fingers on the side of the lips. (not longer than 1 second). First praise your dog with a lovely voice and second reinforce with a treat. After a few days you take the measuring tape in your hand. Again after a few days you place the measuring tape on the side of the lips. Do not forget to keep the duration very short, 1 second is enough and always praise and reinforce with treats! Tip: To be sure to get the right snout length, take a second measuring tape. Do a snout circumference measurement (your dog already can do that very well). Hang both measuring tapes together with a second paper clip in T-shape, as you can see on the photo. This will make sure that you do not measure too close to the eye.
Congratulations! The increased form of step 7 is already the measurement of the snout length. You did great work in measuring tape training! So you can go back to our measuring instructions.
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