"For the first few times you give the puppy the run of the house, take him out after the first fifteen minutes and then every hour."

Dog Obedience Training - Heeling

Dog Obedience Training - Heeling

Heeling means to walk at your side without pulling. Every time your dog passes your knee, say "Heel," jerk the leash backward, and pat your side to encourage him to stay close.

If he passes your knee a second time, stand still and jerk the leash harder!

If your dog holds back instead, don't jerk the leash. Pull on it gently and keep saying "Good Boy! Good Boy!" After he takes a few steps, slacken the leash and pat your side.

While training, stand up straight and don't slow up when you turn! Don't let your dog play with the leash and don't let him climb on you.

Before long your dog will understand that if he runs ahead or darts off to the side, he will hear the word "Heel!" and feel a sharp tug on his collar. If he stays close to your knee, praise him and pat him.

Sitting

To make your dog sit, shorten the leash in your right hand and pull up. Say "Sit!" and push on his hindquarters with your left hand. Dogs like to be praised, so while you make him sit, tell him he is a good boy.

If he braces himself, spank him once on his rear and tell him more firmly "SIT!" Now pat him with the same hand you spanked him with so he will think you spanked him in play. At the same time, push his hips over. Make him sit straight!!

When you tell your dog "Sit!," don't step toward him or he will jump away. Don't let him use you as a leaning post. Bump him with your knee!

If he sits too far away, coax him to sit close. If he sits ahead, pull him backward. The proper sit is even with your knee, square and facing straight ahead.

When you take your dog on the street, make him walk at heel. Practice making him sit. Your dog should obey wherever he is.

Staying

When you want your dog to stay, hold your left hand in front of his face, tell him "Stay!" and step forward on your right foot. When you turn to face him, turn your hand so the palm is toward the dog.

If he starts forward, bump him once under the chin to remind him you said "Stay!". For some dogs, learning to stay is a very hard lesson. If your dog thinks you are playing games, speak more sharply!

If he stands, "spank" him to a sitting position. If he is lazy, use your leash. Your dog may even try to run away. Most of all, don't keep telling your dog "Stay! Stay! Stay!" if he is staying. Wait until he moves before you tell him again.

Return to Heel Position

When you circle your dog, walk close to him and hold the leash to your left. Your dog can turn his head but don't let him turn his body.

If he tries to get up when you walk in back of him, hold him and keep him sitting and remember the pat and praise when you give him permission to move.

Test your dog but stand on the leash in case he tries to dart away. Make him stay while you put on your hat and coat to take him for a walk. Make him stay while you fix his dinner and while you pack the car for a picnic.

Tell him "Stay!" so he won't dash out an open door. With practice, he will even learn to stay when the telephone rings.

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