Teaching Your Dog To Sit on Command

When your dog is already heeling on leash, you must teach him to sit. The two lessons are intimately associated because they're used together when you are walking the puppy on leash.

The pup is trotting on your left side. The leash must be held in your right hand, your left hand just now being set aside for a different action. Coil up the leash into a moderately short length. Halt and command him to "Sit!" Your dog does not understand this command, so you'll have to show what you have in mind. As you give the command, draw the leash upward using your right hand while you press down on his hindquarters using your left to place him in a sitting position. Press lightly, slowly, and don't remove your hand too rapidly. You prefer the dog to sit but not to lie, so you might have to continue the upward draw on the leash. As you give the order, hold your feet still. When you move your feet the puppy would move as well.

 

The first few times, your puppy might be surprised at the pressure and possibly even try to break off. If he refuses, order "Heel!" At once, and begin walking to calm him down. Then try the "Sit!" once more. Keep at it, and he would soon be acting perfectly.

If he lies down rather than sit as he should, odds are that your grasp on the leash was wrong. A slow, solid up-pull on the leash when you issue the order "Sit!" ought to produce the correct pressure. When your grip on the leash isn't that strong, and the dog lies down, never try to compensate by jerking. The error was yours, not the dog's. Reach down, and using your right hand between the forelegs, raise him up to a sitting position, then pet him to express approval.

 

When he arises the moment you take your hand away, that also is your fault. Hold your hand pressed to his hindquarters long enough for him to realize what you want, even if it takes a few seconds. Bit by bit, less pulling and pushing would be necessary and, ultimately, none at all. When your dog sit diagonally rather than squarely, nudge his hindquarters to the right or left so that he faces directly forward.

© 2011 Athena Goodlight 

Heeling: How to Properly Walk Your Dog on Leash

Since leash control is demanded by law in most communities, set out correct leash-walking at a reasonably early age. By this time your puppy must be used to being led using a leash secured to his collar.

 

Heeling is a different name for walking properly under leash control; it implies walking with the dog's right shoulder in line with your left knee. If this lesson has been learned, you'll grip the leash in your left hand; your right hand will be free for different duties. Nevertheless, during the training period, the leash is contracted by coiling and is held using your right hand. At the same time, your left hand, palm downwards, holds a part of the leash near the dog's collar to perform firm correction or control. Just how close the collar you place your left hand depends upon the size of the dog.

 

Have the dog on your left side. Go at a fairly brisk pace. Get a quiet path or sidewalk so the pupil's focus won't be disturbed by other animals or humans passing. Your goal is to have your dog walk willingly and readily. He could charge ahead like a little bull, or balk and back away. If he does, tug the leash using your left hand, call his name, and command "Heel!" to get him in line. You'll have to restate the command often the first few times you attempt heeling. Each time the dog moves ahead, lags, or crosses in front of you, tug the leash, call his name, and restate the command "Heel!" After a couple of minor corrections, your dog will line up his steps to your movement.

 

There's a difference between giving commands and causing corrections. Every command of motion must be issued under a calm and pleasant tone, in conjunction with the dog's name. The sharp word and the jerk of the leash are corrections to be utilized when the dog lags behind, for example, or charges ahead, or when he halts to sniff the ground. And if your dog understands and obeys, be giving with your praise. Many lessons daily, around ten minutes each, will be just about right. Puppies tire quickly, so "little and often" is the rule.

© 2011 Athena Goodlight