Settlebox - Proximity Vortex
Week 3
Introduction/Demo
The Proximity Zone helps your puppy learn where the best place to be is when they are near you. Instead of pulling ahead or wandering away, your puppy begins to understand that staying close to your side is rewarding.
This game builds the foundation for future leash walking skills by teaching your puppy that good things happen when they choose to stay near you.
Teacher Demonstration
In this demonstration, Laura shows how to play the Proximity Zone game using two different types of treats. She tosses a lower-value treat away so Ruby the puppy moves out, then rewards with a higher-value treat when the puppy returns and lines up beside her in the walking position. This helps the puppy begin to understand where the ideal position is when walking with their handler.
Quick Notes
Use two types of treats:
Low-value treats (tossed away from you)
High-value treats (given near your side)
Toss the low-value treat away from your body so your puppy moves away.
When your puppy turns back toward you and comes into position near your side, mark the behavior and reward with a high-value treat.
Reward your puppy next to your body in the walking position.
Practice on both sides of your body so your puppy becomes comfortable walking on either side.
The goal is to help your puppy understand that being near you is more rewarding than being out in front or far away.
Demonstration
Teacher Demonstration with puppy in class
Now Laura demonstrates how to introduce the “Ears” cue using puppy Winnie. While Winnie is calm in the Settle Box, Laura gently lifts Winnie’s ear, says the word “ears,” briefly looks and smells the ear, and then rewards her with a treat. This helps Winnie learn that having her ears handled is safe and positive. Practicing this regularly builds comfort with ear checks and makes future grooming and vet visits much easier.
Class Experience
Practice at home!
Try playing the Proximity Zone game with your puppy in a safe open space.
Toss a low-value treat away, then reward your puppy with a high-value treat when they return to your side. Over time, your puppy will start choosing to stay close to you because that’s where the best rewards happen.
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Be sure to send us a video demonstrating this behavior as well so we can give you personalized training advice with our virtual video service.
More Discussion
Additional tips and content
The reward zone should be next to your leg, where your puppy would naturally walk on a leash.
You can add movement as your puppy improves. After tossing the treat, take a few steps so your puppy moves toward you while you walk.
This exercise helps your puppy learn that being close to you is the highest value position.
The Proximity Zone builds on earlier games like the Orientation Game, where puppies learned to return to their handler after chasing tossed treats.
Each training game builds on the previous one to prepare your puppy for successful leash walking.