A Bit of Dog Training

When we first get our new puppy or a dog from rescue, we generally wish to know what type of coaching, if any, the dog knows. Sit is about the first thing a dog learns so many dogs know this one, even puppies. But as we move through life with our dogs it is extremely helpful for humans to be ready to direct the dogs from one place to another.

Having a dog pulling on lead is a bad habit that desires correcting instantly. This behavior makes for frustrated owners and doubtless hurts the dog’s neck. There’s a technique to modify this behavior.

It sure would be convenient if our dogs could change direction or wait for a few minutes while we made our way to the automobile, round the block or in the house? Having a dog run across a busy street is scary and perilous. That is something that occurs too regularly and can be curtailed.

My dog trainer, John Spieser, claims the first two commands he teaches a dog or a puppy are “wait” and “this way”. Using these two commands he will get a dog to go nearly anywhere he desires them to and keep him safe along the way. This is also used to get a dog to stop pulling on the leash.

The command “wait” is straightforward to show your dog. For some reason, wait, feels temporary to a dog so he’s more ready to wait there than to need to “stay” somewhere for a long time. “Wait” is good for street corners. Tell your dog to “wait” at the corner whilst traffic passes. Or perhaps your dog desires to wait while another dog, children, bikes or whatever passes by. Maybe you would like him to wait for his food. No matter what the reason, the dog learns that it is only a temporary situation, shortly to be followed by the release (which is rewarding) and possibly more certainly stimulating for the dog.

The “this way” command trumps come. The recall or “come” command tends to get over used and dogs may get resentful after hearing it regularly. Using “this way” permits the dog to keep moving but in a different direction. If your dog is running away from you and doesn’t respond to the typical recall command of “come”, then try implementing “this way” into your training routine. A dog hears this as a chance to please and still keeps moving. It’s a lot less restrictive to the dog and it’s really easy to coach this to a dog.

For more effective communication with your dog, try dog coaching commands that teach your dog a way to move with you without being too restrictive. Consider making “wait” and “this way” a primary part of your repertoire.

These two commands are successfully used in changing the leash pulling behavior too. The 2 dog training commands that make the most sense are ones that give you a lot of versatility with your dog.

Get your dog or puppy moving where you would like him using these two dog training commands. Stop your dog pulling on leash. Listen in the free audio from my dog instructor John Spieser.