One of the more common mistakes I see with Movement Puzzles is that people confuse the 2 bowl game with Vito’s “thinking game”.
After all, in both games dogs are doing exercises independently from the handler while moving from one bowl to another to get the reinforcement.
And yes, when I got started with Movement Puzzles, I also thought that the 2 bowl game and Vito’s game were the same thing…
However, after having taught Movement Puzzles to hundreds of students, I can honestly say that the 2 bowl game and Vito’s game (at least how it’s commonly interpreted) are two very different things.
In fact, approaching Movement Puzzles with a “it’s a Vito’s thinking game” mentality can result in opposite results than we’d hope from Movement Puzzles 😨
Here’s why and what to do instead.
❌ In Vito’s game there is no verbal/audible marker that precedes the reinforcement delivery. Handler is completely silent and delivers treats in bowls.
✅ In 2 bowl game we always use an audible marker that lets the learner know the reinforcement is coming. That removes a lot of frustration for many dogs as they don’t need to keep an eye on you to know when they get the treat!
❌ In Vito’s game only the correct behaviors are reinforced and when the dog makes a mistake then the handler withholds the reinforcement. Dog figures out the correct solution by trial and error.
However, withholding reinforcement and waiting for the dog to figure it out during Movement Puzzles often results in the dog making more mistakes in the long run.
I’ve seen this approach also crushing a sensitive dog’s confidence because she thought doing the exercise was the only way of getting reinforcement.
In Movement Puzzles we want the opposite.
✅ In 2 bowl game/Movement Puzzles we reinforce EVERY SINGLE REPETITION. If the same mistake happens twice, we change the setup to get the desired behavior.
🙌 That training approach results in no frustration training sessions
DOORS CLOSING IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS! 🔥🔥🔥
Don't miss out... DOORS CLOSING IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS! 🔥🔥🔥
Movement Puzzles really are a special concept and every day it becomes more and more clear it can help so many dogs and their guardians live more fulfilling lives!
Here are just a few of the benefits our students have reported about their dogs after having started with Movement Puzzles:
🏆 Being more efficient and faster in their nosework searches
🏆 Dog's movement is more precise and better coordinated
🏆 Having the confidence to try new things after being scared for a long time
🏆 Becoming less reactive to other dogs!
🏆 Feel a lot calmer in previously scary situations (like planes flying above their training area!)
🏆 Startle less when hearing household noises
🏆 Better distance skills in agility!
🏆 More focused during training!
🏆 Less frustration during training sessions. Less barking, better engagement!
🏆 Calmer during training without losing the enthusiasm. No more frantic and reckless movements!
If you've been thinking about joining us in Movement Puzzles Academy then there's no better time than NOW.
So that you and your dog can start enjoying benefits of these fun exercises TODAY!
Doors closing already on Thursday, October 31st 11:59pm Eastern Time (US).
Click here to join us:
https://programs.themovingcanine.com/mpa
We can't wait to support you on you Movement Puzzle journey!
Mari
🔥🔥Join us in Movement Puzzles Academy TODAY🧩🧩
🔥🔥Join us in Movement Puzzles Academy TODAY🧩🧩
And master fun dynamic coordination exercises, that will boost your dog's confidence, help learn new skills faster and feel more empowered in new and challenging situations!
Doors to Movement Puzzles Academy are OPEN, but only for a limited time! So better hurry 😉
Click here for more information and registration: https://programs.themovingcanine.com/mpa
I'll see you inside!
Mari Valgma, CPCFT
But I don't have the space!
"Movement Puzzles sound amazing... But I don't have the space for doing them."
☝ That's one of the most common concerns we hear. I get it! Many of our public videos are from outdoor sessions! That easily leaves the impression that we can only do these exercises in big open spaces.
BUT actually you can do most of the individual Movement Puzzle exercises indoors! In the winter months - that's 6 months where I live! - I do ALL of my puzzle sessions in an area of 2x3 m (6x9 ft).
Majority of our How To videos inside the program are done in a small space!
Don't let small training areas stop you! You can definitely do Movement Puzzles in a limited space.
When you join us in the Movement Puzzles Academy, then we will be there supporting you and helping you figure out how to make the most of the space that you do have!
If you are ready to experience all the amazing goodness of Movement Puzzles then head over to https://programs.themovingcanine.com/mpa
Registration is open only for a limited time!
P.S. Check out this super fun example from our student, using a kitchen stool and a dinosaur balloon in her narrow space puzzle exercise! Yes, that's a Great Dane doing puzzles in a tight kitchen space!
Get these behavioral benefits today!
Mirru used to be so scared of the outside world that we couldn’t go on walks for 1.5 years. We would just sit in our doorway, watch the world go by and eat treats.
She was also reactive to other dogs and noises. Scared of new stuff in the house. New people couldn’t come to our house without Mirru panicking and freezing.
Life with an anxious and careful dog can be a real challenge!
And when I tell you that Movement Puzzles can help you, you might be a bit skeptical.
How would these coordination and movement exercises help your dog who is reactive? Scared of noises? Or just generally anxious?
Here’s the thing. Doing coordination exercises like Movement Puzzles helps to:
✅ maintain healthy level of “feel good” hormones that are essential for mental wellbeing
✅ boost stress resilience, learning speed and neuroplasticity
✅ reduce startling and “big feelings” when surprised
✅ improve emotional regulation and frustration tolerance
✅ reduce the risk of cognitive decline
That will make your training go a lot faster because your dog is mentally in a place where she can learn, feels more grounded and doesn’t go over the threshold as quickly!
Right now you know Mirru as the poster girl for Movement Puzzles. Behind the scenes she now happily goes on walks, likes people coming over… and is the dog who didn’t even blink an eye when I brought home a robot vacuum cleaner!
I’m not saying that Movement Puzzles alone solved everything for us, but the biggest leaps in her behavior training came AFTER we started with Movement Puzzles.
NOT doing coordination exercises like Movement Puzzles is like trying to win a car race with one foot on the brake!
What your dog does with her body affects her nervous system, brain health and behavior BIG TIME.
Not having a plan on how to make your dog's physical activities support your dog's behavior training will mean that the training progress will be slower.
I bet you don’t want to take the risk ;) Mo
🔥🔥MOVEMENT PUZZLES ACADEMY IS OPEN 🤩🤩
🔥🔥MOVEMENT PUZZLES ACADEMY IS OPEN 🤩🤩
Join today our unique confidence boosting Movement Puzzles Academy!
Here's what you get when you join Movement Puzzles Academy:
✅ From zero to hero with our foundations module that will help you get started quickly with all the right training techniques. No previous skills needed!
✅ Detailed How To instructions for more than 30 exercises + their variations using the same equipment in new ways! Exercises focusing on moving on different surfaces, moving through things, things touching the body, getting in and out of tight spaces and more.
✅ Create new setups with things you already have at home! Like textile shopping bags, cardboard boxes, empty plastic bottles, broomsticks, chairs and even clever sofa placement for your exercise!
✅ Super supportive community, monthly activities and instructor support
✅ ... and much, much more!
🏆 NEW! Now you can also apply for Movement Puzzle Certificates after finishing parts of the program!
Click here for more information on everything included in the Academy: https://programs.themovingcanine.com/mpa
Doors are open only until October 31st 11:59pm ET
Join us before then & be ready to kickstart you Movement Puzzle training already on Monday 😉
I'll see you inside!
Mari Valgma, CPCFT
