Let’s Review
Proximity Game with “With Me/Let’s Go”
Week 6
Review: Proximity Vortex
This exercise builds directly on the Orientation Game and begins shaping how your puppy moves with you.
Start by tossing a low-value treat away from your body. When your puppy turns back toward you, mark (“yes” or “good”) and deliver a high-value reward at your side, right where you want your puppy to be.
This creates a clear pattern:
Move away → Return to handler → Get rewarded in position
As you repeat this, your puppy begins to understand that being close to you — especially at your side — is the best place to be.
You can begin to introduce movement by taking a step or two after the reward, but keep it simple and focused on building clarity.
One-on-One: Winnie
In this session, we see how the Proximity Vortex works in real time with a puppy who is still learning the pattern.
Winnie shows us that confusion and excitement are completely normal at this stage. The focus is not perfection — it’s helping the puppy understand where the reward happens and how to get back to the handler.
Key takeaways from this session:
Keep rewards consistent at your side
Don’t worry about doing too much — one or two steps is enough
Let the puppy figure it out through repetition
Stay patient as the puppy begins to connect the dots
This session is a great reminder that learning happens through clear repetition, not correction.
Review the Leash Cue: “With Me”
Once your puppy begins to understand the Proximity Vortex, we can start adding a verbal cue for movement.
After tossing the low-value treat and turning away, say:
“With me” as your puppy begins to move back toward you.
Mark and reward at your side, then take a step or two and continue reinforcing.
Important things to remember:
Say the cue before or as the movement begins
Keep your steps small and manageable
Reinforce the position at your side, not just the movement
Don’t rush — the cue builds meaning through repetition
The goal is to connect the words “With me” to the action of walking together in position.
One-On-One with Tahoe
This session highlights how each puppy progresses at their own pace.
With Tahoe, we focus on reward placement and handler consistency. Where and how you deliver the treat matters just as much as when you mark.
Key takeaways:
Feed from the side you want your puppy to walk on
Use the correct hand to keep things clean and consistent
Keep rewards close to your body to encourage position
Small improvements matter — don’t rush the process
This session reinforces that your puppy is always learning from your mechanics and consistency.
Why These Games Matter
These exercises are not random — they are carefully layered building blocks.
We start with:
Orientation Game → teaches your puppy to choose you
Proximity Zone → builds comfort being near you
Proximity Vortex → adds movement and reward positioning
Together, they create a system that prepares your puppy for leash walking and beyond.
Think of these games like a warm-up — just like an athlete wouldn’t jump straight into a game, your puppy benefits from revisiting these foundational exercises before moving forward.
Even as training progresses:
Continue using these games to reset and refocus
Use them as a warm-up before more advanced work
Remember your puppy is still learning — repetition builds confidence
These early games are what allow everything else in training to work smoothly.