CattleDog Publishing

Teaching your dog to voluntarily dunk their head after exercise can help them cool down and clear their nose and eyes of debris. Research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) suggests this innovative method can help keep dogs safe in hot weather. A study conducted at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center at the University of Pennsylvania examined cooling techniques and found that voluntary head dunks were the most effective in quickly cooling dogs and preventing overheating or heat stroke.

When teaching a head dunk, the behavior should be voluntary and never forced. Creating a low-stress environment encourages engagement. Watch for subtle signs of stress, such as lip licking, shaking off, yawning, or scratching their neck, as these may indicate your dog is feeling uneasy. If your dog shows signs of stress, walks away, or stops engaging, stop the session. This may not be the right game for your dog.

Playing the Game

Introducing new, potentially challenging skills can be made easier using Pattern Games, which provide a predictable framework to help your dog understand what is happening and what to expect next. An adapted version of the Superbowls pattern game works well. 

Items Needed:

• Seven target mats or plastic bowls
• One snuffle mat
• A clear bowl large enough to hold water deep enough for your dog’s head
• A water pitcher
• Treats that sink in water

Phase 1: Create the Superbowls pattern: 

1. Arrange seven target mats in a straight line, spaced one to two feet apart. The 6^th target should be a snuffle mat. If you do not have target mats, plastic bowls can work.
2. Begin at the start of the line, before the first target. Practice three to five repetitions of the Up Down game to create a steady rhythm. Place a treat on the floor near your feet and stand up straight in a neutral position with your hands flat on your stomach or behind your back to minimize distraction. When your dog makes eye contact, mark with a clicker or “yes” and place a treat on the floor. If your dog struggles with eye contact, hold a treat near your eyes for one or two repetitions, then gradually reduce this lure as they start to make eye contact on their own.
3. Once your dog is making eye contact consistently, step to the first target and place a treat on it. Stand up in a neutral position. When your dog makes eye contact, mark it and move to the next target, placing a treat on it. Continue this process down the line.
4. When you arrive at the snuffle mat (target six), place two to three treats inside it. Once your dog finishes the treats and makes eye contact, mark the behavior and proceed to the final target in the row. To signal the end of the game, throw a few treats away from the line for your dog to chase.  

Phase 2: Introduce the empty bowl:

1. Place the 5th target inside an empty bowl, then return it to its position on the line.
2. Follow steps 2 through 4 in Phase 1. When you reach the 5th target in the bowl, place the treat on the target inside the bowl. Continue to the snuffle mat and finish the sequence as before. 

Phase 3: Add water to the bowl:

1. Once your dog is familiar with the pattern, add a splash of water to the bottom of the bowl, just enough that it feels wet. Let your dog see you add the water.
2. Start at the first target and repeat the process, moving through the stations as before.
3. Each time, add a little more water to the bowl and observe your dog’s response. If they seem stressed, reduce the water level to make it less overwhelming.
4. If your dog willingly takes the treat from the container of water, gradually add about half an inch of water to the bowl each training session. This slow adjustment will help build your dog’s confidence until they are willing to dunk their entire face into the water, including their eyes.  
5. If your dog refuses to put their face in the bowl with water after they make eye contact, move on to the snuffle mat. If your dog continually refuses, consult a qualified behavior professional to determine if this game is suitable.

Phase 4: Remove the target line:

1. Once your dog is comfortable dunking their head, remove the line of targets, leaving only the bowl and the snuffle mat.
2. Position your dog next to the bowl and drop a treat inside. If your dog dunks their head to retrieve the treat, wait until they lift their head out of the water, then mark the behavior and reward them with two to three treats in the snuffle mat. If your dog hesitates, return to practicing with the target line. Once they are comfortable again, remove the target line and practice using the bowl and the snuffle mat.

Phase 5: Introduce the cue:  

1. Drop the treat into the bowl. As your dog dips their head into the water, say “dunk” (or your chosen cue) and mark the behavior. Reward with two to three treats in the snuffle mat.
2. When your dog reliably dunks their head three to five times, remove the target from the bowl and practice a few times over several days. Limit the number of dunks to three or four per session.
3. Once your dog is familiar with the cue, ask them to dunk their head without placing a treat in the bowl. Say “dunk”, wait for your dog to dunk their head, and then reward with treats in the snuffle mat.
4. If your dog does not respond to the cue, return to the earlier steps and repeat until they are comfortable dunking on cue.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once the behavior is learned, practice in different locations around the house and yard. You may need to reintroduce a few targets or use an empty bowl again. Eventually, you can use the bathtub, a kiddie pool, or even a clean stream or other cooling source.

The Up Down game is a simple pattern game that uses two behaviors to help keep your dog focused. You can play it almost everywhere to keep your dog engaged. To create a pattern your dog recognizes, you should do at least five repetitions each time you play the game.

You will need:

• • Treats your dog likes
  • A clicker (optional)

STEPS:

1. Hold a treat up to get your dog to make eye contact.  
2. When your dog looks at the treat, place it on the ground between your feet.
3. Repeat this one to two times.
4. When your dog finishes eating, wait for them to make eye contact again. This time, do not hold the treat up; have it ready in your pocket or behind your back.
5. When your dog makes eye contact with you, use a word like “yes” or a clicker to mark the behavior. 
6. Place the treat on the ground between your feet again.
7. Repeat this at least five times.
8. To make the game more challenging, have a friend walk around as a distraction. They can start by just walking, then create more distractions by moving closer or talking to you.
9. Keep playing by giving your dog a treat every time they look at you and make eye contact. Do not try to get their attention; instead, reward them when they choose to look at you.
10. Try playing the game in more distracting environments, such as your yard or local park.

Tips if your dog is struggling:

• If your dog has a hard time taking the treat from between your feet, place it closer to them. Make sure you put it in the same spot every time to make the game predictable.
• You can play the Up Down game in many places, but start at home, where your dog feels safe. Once your dog can play the game well at home, you can add more distractions, such as family members.
• Your dog should choose to play this game. Do not force, bribe, or lure them. Wait for them to make eye contact, then reward them. If your dog does not want to play, gets too distracted, overexcited, or reacts to the environment, try playing in a quieter place where they feel more comfortable and safe.    

Pattern games are a way for your dog to learn what to expect. These games can be found in the book series Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt CDBC, CPDT-KA, MLA. She also has an instructor certification program.