Heel Position
Your dog is in heel position with him facing in the same direction you are and is lined up next to you on your left side, with the area between his head and shoulder in line with your left hip. He should be should close to your left leg, but should not be crowding you or interfering with your movement. Heel position remains the same whether your dog is sitting, standing, lying down, or moving at your side.
Heeling, Straight Line
Object: To teach your dog to walk by your side in heel position, on a loose leash, and without pulling, forging ahead or lagging behind.
Instructions: To begin this exercise, sit your dog in heel position. Take the leash in it’s control position Once your begin walking, you are to keep a loose leash at all times, unless your dog strays from heel position. If your dog does get out of heel position, tighten your leash in your left hand, quickly check the dog back to your left side, and immediately release the check from the leash. Act as if the leash is very hot to the touch.
Your command to your dog, before you begin walking, is “Fido, Heel”, in a pleasant voice. Once you have started walking, you should say nothing to your dog except praise him when he is in heel position. If he is out of heel position, simply check him back with your left hand, and follow with immediate praise. Do not pet your dog during this exercise.
Goal/Assignment: Practice this week until you can heel your dog for 10 paces in a straight line without having to check him.
Watch for: Do NOT keep your leash tight to hold the dog in position. Bring the dog to heel position, praise, and remove tension immediately. Remember, the leash gets very hot when tightened. Every time he leaves your side, check him.
The purpose of the check is to teach the dog where his advantage lies; that is, to remain in heel position. The check is a quick snap on the leash, with an immediate release. Pulling him, or physically restraining him with constant pressure, will teach him to pull—not to heel.
Keep your hands off your dog while moving; use verbal praise.
Check the dog with your left hand only.
The command “heel” is used only when you start; it is not repeated while you are walking. Repeating the command constantly is nagging.
Be sure you are walking briskly, in order to keep his interest and attention on you. Walk as if you were in a hurry (e.g., late for an appointment).
About –Turn while Heeling
Object: To teach your dog to remain in heel position when you make a turn. The About Turn is a 180° turn to the right, away from your dog.
Instructions: To execute an About Turn while Heeling, call your dog’s name to get his attention; Grasp the leash in the control position, turn 180° in place, away from your dog, while guiding him around; and continue walking in the opposite direction. Throughout the turn keep your feet together and maintain a brisk pace.
Watch for: Come out of the turn briskly and continue walking without waiting for your dog. If you stop, he will stop.
Your dog is in heel position with him facing in the same direction you are and is lined up next to you on your left side, with the area between his head and shoulder in line with your left hip. He should be should close to your left leg, but should not be crowding you or interfering with your movement. Heel position remains the same whether your dog is sitting, standing, lying down, or moving at your side.
Heeling, Straight Line
Object: To teach your dog to walk by your side in heel position, on a loose leash, and without pulling, forging ahead or lagging behind.
Instructions: To begin this exercise, sit your dog in heel position. Take the leash in it’s control position Once your begin walking, you are to keep a loose leash at all times, unless your dog strays from heel position. If your dog does get out of heel position, tighten your leash in your left hand, quickly check the dog back to your left side, and immediately release the check from the leash. Act as if the leash is very hot to the touch.
Your command to your dog, before you begin walking, is “Fido, Heel”, in a pleasant voice. Once you have started walking, you should say nothing to your dog except praise him when he is in heel position. If he is out of heel position, simply check him back with your left hand, and follow with immediate praise. Do not pet your dog during this exercise.
Goal/Assignment: Practice this week until you can heel your dog for 10 paces in a straight line without having to check him.
Watch for: Do NOT keep your leash tight to hold the dog in position. Bring the dog to heel position, praise, and remove tension immediately. Remember, the leash gets very hot when tightened. Every time he leaves your side, check him.
The purpose of the check is to teach the dog where his advantage lies; that is, to remain in heel position. The check is a quick snap on the leash, with an immediate release. Pulling him, or physically restraining him with constant pressure, will teach him to pull—not to heel.
Keep your hands off your dog while moving; use verbal praise.
Check the dog with your left hand only.
The command “heel” is used only when you start; it is not repeated while you are walking. Repeating the command constantly is nagging.
Be sure you are walking briskly, in order to keep his interest and attention on you. Walk as if you were in a hurry (e.g., late for an appointment).
About –Turn while Heeling
Object: To teach your dog to remain in heel position when you make a turn. The About Turn is a 180° turn to the right, away from your dog.
Instructions: To execute an About Turn while Heeling, call your dog’s name to get his attention; Grasp the leash in the control position, turn 180° in place, away from your dog, while guiding him around; and continue walking in the opposite direction. Throughout the turn keep your feet together and maintain a brisk pace.
Watch for: Come out of the turn briskly and continue walking without waiting for your dog. If you stop, he will stop.
Sit—Sequence 1
Object: To teach you to physically place your dog in the sitting position.
Instruction: Have your dog standing at your left side, facing the same direction you are. Place your right hand against your dog’s chest, in front of his forelegs. If your dog is bouncy, position your right hand in his collar at the back of his neck.
Place your left hand on your dog’s withers. Stroke lightly down the entire length of your dog’s back, over the tail and tuck him into a sitting position by applying equal pressure behind the stifles and against the chest. As you begin applying pressure, say ‘sit’. Do not use the dog’s name.
Your dog will sit on your left hand while your right hand prevents him from moving. Hold him in this position for five seconds while you verbally praise him for sitting. Do not pet your dog at this time. Repeat this five times.
Watch for: Be sure that your right hand is on the chest or in the collar, not on the throat, and that your left hand starts at the withers. The action is a tucking one, not applying pressure until you begin tucking in behind the stifles. The pressure with your left hand is forward not downward. Remember to use the command “sit”, without his name, as you tuck the dog into position. Your dog may sit on your hand. This will remind you not to pet the dog as you praise.
Sit—Sequence 2
Object: To teach the dog to respond to the command “sit”
Instruction: Select an object of interest to your dog-a ball or squeaky toy. If your dog is not interested in a toy, use a small food treat. Depending on the size of your dog, kneel or stand next to him. He should be standing at your left side, facing the same way you are. Hold the object in your right hand, just in front of your dog’s nose. Motion with the object at a 45° angle upward from in front of your dog’s nose to a point directly over his head, slightly behind his eyes. Make the motion quickly as you say “sit”. Your dog will raise his head to see the object, causing his rear end to drop into a sitting position. Praise and let him have the object briefly, but do not pet. If you dog does not sit on command, place him in a sit as you have been , let him have the object briefly and try it again.
Practice this five times per session.
Watch for: Always say “sit” in conjunction with the motion of your hand holding the object. The purpose of this exercise is to teach you dog to respond to the verbal command, so you must say it every time you make the motion with the object. If your dog is jumping to grab the object, you are holding it too far above his head. If you are holding the object properly and the dog is still jumping up, put your left hand in his collar at the back of his neck to steady him in position and prevent him from jumping up.
Object: To teach you to physically place your dog in the sitting position.
Instruction: Have your dog standing at your left side, facing the same direction you are. Place your right hand against your dog’s chest, in front of his forelegs. If your dog is bouncy, position your right hand in his collar at the back of his neck.
Place your left hand on your dog’s withers. Stroke lightly down the entire length of your dog’s back, over the tail and tuck him into a sitting position by applying equal pressure behind the stifles and against the chest. As you begin applying pressure, say ‘sit’. Do not use the dog’s name.
Your dog will sit on your left hand while your right hand prevents him from moving. Hold him in this position for five seconds while you verbally praise him for sitting. Do not pet your dog at this time. Repeat this five times.
Watch for: Be sure that your right hand is on the chest or in the collar, not on the throat, and that your left hand starts at the withers. The action is a tucking one, not applying pressure until you begin tucking in behind the stifles. The pressure with your left hand is forward not downward. Remember to use the command “sit”, without his name, as you tuck the dog into position. Your dog may sit on your hand. This will remind you not to pet the dog as you praise.
Sit—Sequence 2
Object: To teach the dog to respond to the command “sit”
Instruction: Select an object of interest to your dog-a ball or squeaky toy. If your dog is not interested in a toy, use a small food treat. Depending on the size of your dog, kneel or stand next to him. He should be standing at your left side, facing the same way you are. Hold the object in your right hand, just in front of your dog’s nose. Motion with the object at a 45° angle upward from in front of your dog’s nose to a point directly over his head, slightly behind his eyes. Make the motion quickly as you say “sit”. Your dog will raise his head to see the object, causing his rear end to drop into a sitting position. Praise and let him have the object briefly, but do not pet. If you dog does not sit on command, place him in a sit as you have been , let him have the object briefly and try it again.
Practice this five times per session.
Watch for: Always say “sit” in conjunction with the motion of your hand holding the object. The purpose of this exercise is to teach you dog to respond to the verbal command, so you must say it every time you make the motion with the object. If your dog is jumping to grab the object, you are holding it too far above his head. If you are holding the object properly and the dog is still jumping up, put your left hand in his collar at the back of his neck to steady him in position and prevent him from jumping up.
Sit-Stay
Object: To teach your dog to remain in a sitting position on the command “stay” and not to move until released.
Instructions: Place your dog in a sit at your left side. Bring the rings of the collar to the back of his neck, between his ears. Fold the leash short into your left hand. With your left hand, hold the leash taut, but not tight, above the dog’s head, between his ears. Keep your left hand below your waist or, in the case of a tall dog, keep your hand close to the snap of the leash directly over your dog’s head.
Maintaining slight tension on the leash, give the stay hand signal and say, “stay”. Do not use his name. Pivot directly in front of your dog, count to 10 and pivot back next to him. Release the tension on the leash, pause briefly, and then praise. He must remain in position while being praised. Then release him from the Stay with your release word.
Goal/Assignment: A 30-second Sit-Stay. Gradually increase your time from a silent count of 10 to a 30-second stay. When your dog has stayed to the count of 30 for 3 days in a row, further practice should be done with no tension on the leash.
Watch for: If your dog is rising up on his hind legs or is pawing at the leash, you have too much pressure on the collar.
Be sure that your hand signal comes across your body toward your dog from right to left, rather than in a hitting motion toward your dog which he might construe as a threat. Don’t touch the dog’s nose.
Remain directly in front of your dog this week. Your feet and his feet should be practically touching. If you are further away than that, you don’t have proper control with your leash. Stand erect, and don’t hover over your dog.
If you need to replace your dog because he has moved, place him in the exactly same spot. Do it with a minimum of touching and talking. Any touching at this point may be interpreted as petting, and hence will act as a reward for having moved. To minimize this effect, replace him as quickly as possible using the leash and collar; tuck quickly into a sit if necessary ; take your hands off immediately; and repeat the “stay” command.
When counting, do so silently.
Always be sure to pause between pivoting back to your dog’s side, praising, and releasing him from the stay. You don’t want him to learn that your return means the end of the exercise, which is what will happen if you don’t pause.
Down Object: To teach you to physically place your dog in the down position.
Instruction: Kneel beside your sitting dog facing the same direction as you are, and position your hands as follows. Your right hand, palm facing upward, is placed behind the dog’s right foreleg, just below the elbow. Drape your left arm across your dog’s withers, so that your left hand, palm upward, is behind your dog’s left foreleg, just below the elbow. Keep your palm open, thumbs in your palms. Lift the dog’s forelegs up, and then lower them to the ground with the command “down” You may have to apply downward pressure on the dog’s withers with your left forearm. Hold the dog in the down position while you praise. Do not pet your dog or use it’s name.
Watch for: Many dogs object to having pressure applied to their forelegs. This can cause such problems such as fidgeting, pulling away, or even protest biting, so be sure you are not applying pressure to the dog’s legs with your thumbs or fingers: your palms should be open with your thumbs in your palms as you place the dog in the dog in the down position. Don’t pull the dog’s legs out from under him, as this may frighten him; it may also cause him to lift his rear as you are pulling on the front. Lift before you lower, and the dog cannot raise his rear. Be sure your hands are just below the elbow and not further down on the leg. This gives you the necessary leverage to lift him into the down position.
Alternate Technique: If you dog is too tall for you to reach across his back with your left arm, you can use the following alternate technique. Bring the rings of the collar to the back of the dog’s neck; kneel next to your dog with him sitting at your left side. Fold the leash into your left hand and grasp the bolt snap close to the collar. Place your left forearm along the dog’s spine. Your right hand and forearm go behind both of the dog’s front legs, with your palm facing away from the dog. Lift or slide the front legs up and then lower the dog to the ground, saying “down”. Praise.
Instructions:
Kneel next to your dog and sit him at your left side, facing the same direction you are. Place you hand on his withers to prevent him from getting up. Hold the object in your right hand, at a starting point just above the dog’s eye level, in front of his face. Motion with your right hand down to the floor/ground and slightly away from in front of your dog—a rounded L-shaped motion. The object should be within your dog’s reach when he is lying down. Make your motion quickly as you say “down”. When he is down. Your dog may have the object briefly. Praise, but do not pet. If he fails to follow the object down, place him down, give the object and try again.
Watch For: If your dog gets up to walk toward the object, you have not placed your left hand at the withers to prevent this. Under no circumstances push downward with your left hand, but simply hold it there to prevent your dog from getting up. The object should not be so close to your dog’s feet that he can reach it without laying down, nor so far away that he cannot get it when he does lie down. Do not let your dog have the object until he is completely lying down. Use the word “down” each time you make the motion with the object. The purpose of this exercise is to exercise is to teach your dog To respond to your verbal command, so say it EVERY time.
Stand-Sequence 1
Object: To teach the dog to stand still.
Instruction: Kneel beside the sitting dog as you were for the sit, with the dog facing in the same direction you are.
To position the dog in a stand, place two fingers of your right hand in the collar, under the dog’s muzzle, so that your palm is toward the floor and the back of your hand is under the dogs chin. Place the back of your left hand, palm facing forward, in front of your dog’s stifles. With your right hand, pull forward, PARALLELTO THE GROUND, guiding your dog into a stand, saying, “stand”. Again, do not use his name. Your left hand in front of the stifles prevents the dog from moving forward or sitting. As you hold your dog in the standing position, praise with “good”. Hold your dog in a stand for ten seconds before you sit him.
Goal/Assignment: Work on a one-minute stand this week, with your dog standing still.
Watch for: Be sure your movement with your right hand is parallel to the floor, not pulling upward. An upward motion would make it very difficult for the dog to stand. Keep the palm of your left hand facing forward. DO not pet your dog during this exercise, as it will cause him to move.
Stand – Sequence 2 Object: To steady your dog in the standing position.
Instruction: Your body posture and your dog’s position should be the same as in sequence 1, with you kneeling on the floor beside your dog. After your dog is standing, do not touch him with your left hand in front of the stifles, provided he is steady and doesn’t fidget. Continue to hold the collar with your right hand under the chin. Praise, but do not pet, when he is standing quietly.
Goal/Assignment: Keep your dog standing still for 2 minutes each session.
Watch for: If your dog is fidgeting or is unsteady, continue to hold him in position with your left hand as you did last week. Gradually try to wean him away from having your left hand touching him.
The Recall---Coming when called
In competition this is called the "recall" but all of us want our dog to come when we call them, ', especially when there is a threat of danger. This can be one of the most difficult things to teach a dog, especially if you are training one of those breeds that like to wander. Some dogs will get so focused on a scent, they seem to be completely deaf to your calling them. Even so" there are trainers out there who can get their dogs to come every time with a simple hand signal, so it must be possible. As with any good thing it takes practice.
Begin teaching your dog to come during a heeling exercise. While heeling along with your dog, do the following three things simultaneously: say "come" in a commanding, but inviting voice; take several quick steps backward; give a sharp tug on the lead toward you. Your dog will noticed that you've disappeared from your position on its right ear and it will turn around to find you. When it does ~ begin to use the leash to reel in your dog. At the same time, praise the heck out of the dog. Act like you've never been so excited to see anything as you are by the sight of your dog approaching. When your dog gets close enough that you can grab its collar" do so and gently pull your dog into position which is sitting right in front of you. You'll want to train your dog to sit in front of you when it comes. (As opposed to jumping on you or running right past you and jumping the couch.) Once you get the dog seated, praise it some more and then give it the release command.
You'll have to practice this method of recall. If you rush to practice off lead, and you call your dog from afar, and your dog doesn't come, and it is not immediately corrected, your dog will learn that it doesn't have to come immediately when called. You don't want your dog to have this epiphany. You want it to think, "No questions asked. I've been called. time to go sit in front of my master."
When you are ready to practice off lead, and please, don't rush this, start with small distances, and the leash still attached to the dogs collar, so that if the dog doesn't comply, you can still correct it quickly. Remember" praising the dog is the most important part of training the dog.
Object: To teach your dog to remain in a sitting position on the command “stay” and not to move until released.
Instructions: Place your dog in a sit at your left side. Bring the rings of the collar to the back of his neck, between his ears. Fold the leash short into your left hand. With your left hand, hold the leash taut, but not tight, above the dog’s head, between his ears. Keep your left hand below your waist or, in the case of a tall dog, keep your hand close to the snap of the leash directly over your dog’s head.
Maintaining slight tension on the leash, give the stay hand signal and say, “stay”. Do not use his name. Pivot directly in front of your dog, count to 10 and pivot back next to him. Release the tension on the leash, pause briefly, and then praise. He must remain in position while being praised. Then release him from the Stay with your release word.
Goal/Assignment: A 30-second Sit-Stay. Gradually increase your time from a silent count of 10 to a 30-second stay. When your dog has stayed to the count of 30 for 3 days in a row, further practice should be done with no tension on the leash.
Watch for: If your dog is rising up on his hind legs or is pawing at the leash, you have too much pressure on the collar.
Be sure that your hand signal comes across your body toward your dog from right to left, rather than in a hitting motion toward your dog which he might construe as a threat. Don’t touch the dog’s nose.
Remain directly in front of your dog this week. Your feet and his feet should be practically touching. If you are further away than that, you don’t have proper control with your leash. Stand erect, and don’t hover over your dog.
If you need to replace your dog because he has moved, place him in the exactly same spot. Do it with a minimum of touching and talking. Any touching at this point may be interpreted as petting, and hence will act as a reward for having moved. To minimize this effect, replace him as quickly as possible using the leash and collar; tuck quickly into a sit if necessary ; take your hands off immediately; and repeat the “stay” command.
When counting, do so silently.
Always be sure to pause between pivoting back to your dog’s side, praising, and releasing him from the stay. You don’t want him to learn that your return means the end of the exercise, which is what will happen if you don’t pause.
Down Object: To teach you to physically place your dog in the down position.
Instruction: Kneel beside your sitting dog facing the same direction as you are, and position your hands as follows. Your right hand, palm facing upward, is placed behind the dog’s right foreleg, just below the elbow. Drape your left arm across your dog’s withers, so that your left hand, palm upward, is behind your dog’s left foreleg, just below the elbow. Keep your palm open, thumbs in your palms. Lift the dog’s forelegs up, and then lower them to the ground with the command “down” You may have to apply downward pressure on the dog’s withers with your left forearm. Hold the dog in the down position while you praise. Do not pet your dog or use it’s name.
Watch for: Many dogs object to having pressure applied to their forelegs. This can cause such problems such as fidgeting, pulling away, or even protest biting, so be sure you are not applying pressure to the dog’s legs with your thumbs or fingers: your palms should be open with your thumbs in your palms as you place the dog in the dog in the down position. Don’t pull the dog’s legs out from under him, as this may frighten him; it may also cause him to lift his rear as you are pulling on the front. Lift before you lower, and the dog cannot raise his rear. Be sure your hands are just below the elbow and not further down on the leg. This gives you the necessary leverage to lift him into the down position.
Alternate Technique: If you dog is too tall for you to reach across his back with your left arm, you can use the following alternate technique. Bring the rings of the collar to the back of the dog’s neck; kneel next to your dog with him sitting at your left side. Fold the leash into your left hand and grasp the bolt snap close to the collar. Place your left forearm along the dog’s spine. Your right hand and forearm go behind both of the dog’s front legs, with your palm facing away from the dog. Lift or slide the front legs up and then lower the dog to the ground, saying “down”. Praise.
Instructions:
Kneel next to your dog and sit him at your left side, facing the same direction you are. Place you hand on his withers to prevent him from getting up. Hold the object in your right hand, at a starting point just above the dog’s eye level, in front of his face. Motion with your right hand down to the floor/ground and slightly away from in front of your dog—a rounded L-shaped motion. The object should be within your dog’s reach when he is lying down. Make your motion quickly as you say “down”. When he is down. Your dog may have the object briefly. Praise, but do not pet. If he fails to follow the object down, place him down, give the object and try again.
Watch For: If your dog gets up to walk toward the object, you have not placed your left hand at the withers to prevent this. Under no circumstances push downward with your left hand, but simply hold it there to prevent your dog from getting up. The object should not be so close to your dog’s feet that he can reach it without laying down, nor so far away that he cannot get it when he does lie down. Do not let your dog have the object until he is completely lying down. Use the word “down” each time you make the motion with the object. The purpose of this exercise is to exercise is to teach your dog To respond to your verbal command, so say it EVERY time.
Stand-Sequence 1
Object: To teach the dog to stand still.
Instruction: Kneel beside the sitting dog as you were for the sit, with the dog facing in the same direction you are.
To position the dog in a stand, place two fingers of your right hand in the collar, under the dog’s muzzle, so that your palm is toward the floor and the back of your hand is under the dogs chin. Place the back of your left hand, palm facing forward, in front of your dog’s stifles. With your right hand, pull forward, PARALLELTO THE GROUND, guiding your dog into a stand, saying, “stand”. Again, do not use his name. Your left hand in front of the stifles prevents the dog from moving forward or sitting. As you hold your dog in the standing position, praise with “good”. Hold your dog in a stand for ten seconds before you sit him.
Goal/Assignment: Work on a one-minute stand this week, with your dog standing still.
Watch for: Be sure your movement with your right hand is parallel to the floor, not pulling upward. An upward motion would make it very difficult for the dog to stand. Keep the palm of your left hand facing forward. DO not pet your dog during this exercise, as it will cause him to move.
Stand – Sequence 2 Object: To steady your dog in the standing position.
Instruction: Your body posture and your dog’s position should be the same as in sequence 1, with you kneeling on the floor beside your dog. After your dog is standing, do not touch him with your left hand in front of the stifles, provided he is steady and doesn’t fidget. Continue to hold the collar with your right hand under the chin. Praise, but do not pet, when he is standing quietly.
Goal/Assignment: Keep your dog standing still for 2 minutes each session.
Watch for: If your dog is fidgeting or is unsteady, continue to hold him in position with your left hand as you did last week. Gradually try to wean him away from having your left hand touching him.
The Recall---Coming when called
In competition this is called the "recall" but all of us want our dog to come when we call them, ', especially when there is a threat of danger. This can be one of the most difficult things to teach a dog, especially if you are training one of those breeds that like to wander. Some dogs will get so focused on a scent, they seem to be completely deaf to your calling them. Even so" there are trainers out there who can get their dogs to come every time with a simple hand signal, so it must be possible. As with any good thing it takes practice.
Begin teaching your dog to come during a heeling exercise. While heeling along with your dog, do the following three things simultaneously: say "come" in a commanding, but inviting voice; take several quick steps backward; give a sharp tug on the lead toward you. Your dog will noticed that you've disappeared from your position on its right ear and it will turn around to find you. When it does ~ begin to use the leash to reel in your dog. At the same time, praise the heck out of the dog. Act like you've never been so excited to see anything as you are by the sight of your dog approaching. When your dog gets close enough that you can grab its collar" do so and gently pull your dog into position which is sitting right in front of you. You'll want to train your dog to sit in front of you when it comes. (As opposed to jumping on you or running right past you and jumping the couch.) Once you get the dog seated, praise it some more and then give it the release command.
You'll have to practice this method of recall. If you rush to practice off lead, and you call your dog from afar, and your dog doesn't come, and it is not immediately corrected, your dog will learn that it doesn't have to come immediately when called. You don't want your dog to have this epiphany. You want it to think, "No questions asked. I've been called. time to go sit in front of my master."
When you are ready to practice off lead, and please, don't rush this, start with small distances, and the leash still attached to the dogs collar, so that if the dog doesn't comply, you can still correct it quickly. Remember" praising the dog is the most important part of training the dog.
