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Pattern Games give your dog a clear set of rules to follow, creating predictability in different situations. The 1-2-3 Pattern Game can help move your dog past triggers, into the car, onto the scale, through doorways, and more. This game can be used with dogs, cats, and many other species. The 1-2-3 Pattern Game should not be used to force dogs to face their fears by pushing them over threshold.

Items needed:

• Treats

Phase 1: Introducing “3”

• Begin in a quiet area of the house with minimal distractions.
• Hold a treat in your closed hand and let your dog sniff it.
• Say “3”, open your hand, and let your dog take the treat.
• Repeat five times.

Phase 2: Building the Pattern

• Put a treat in your closed hand and let your dog sniff it.
• Say “2, 3”. After “3”, open your hand, and let your dog take the treat.
• Repeat several times.

 Phase 3: Creating the Full Pattern

• Put a treat in your closed hand and let your dog sniff it.
• Say “1, 2, 3” and open your hand after “3”.
• Let your dog take the treat from it.

 Phase 4: Adding Movement

• Put a treat in your closed hand.
• Start walking backwards while saying “1, 2, 3”.
• After “3”, let your dog take the treat..

Phase 5: Adding Walking

• Put a treat in your closed hand.
• Hold your hand next to your left side at your dog’s nose height. If your dog walks on your right, use your right hand to deliver the treat.
• Walk forward while saying “1, 2, 3”. After “3”, open your hand and let your dog take the treat.

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Phase 6: Fading the Hand Lure

• Put a treat in your closed hand and place your hand near your stomach.
• Walk forward while saying “1, 2, 3”.
• After “3”, drop your hand down to the side of your leg and let your dog take the treat.

Phase 7: Adding a Helper and Distractions

• Add a helper, keeping enough distance so your dog stays under threshold.
• Practice in different environments, with gradually increasing distractions.

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Pattern games can be found in the book series Control Unleashed® by Leslie McDevitt CDBC, CPDT-KA, MLA.