Training Your Dog To Make Turns On The Lead

Check all collars to see that they are the right weight, length, and correctly placed on the dog. Hold the leash in both hands so the dog will be kept under control and the six-foot length will not seem awkward. Start the lesson with heeling and sitting. Make right-about and left U-turns every few feet so that the dog will be more attentive.

Say heel! Jerk! Praise! Again say heel! Jerk! Praise! Keep moving on the about-turn! Command “Sit!” up with the right hand, down with the left. Don't forget the praise. Large dogs can be brought around on the about-turn more quickly if the owner kicks backward with the right foot to rap the dog unexpectedly on the rear. Praise should follow immediately.

Transfer the lead from the left to the right hand before you tell the dog to sit. This will shorten the lead so that you will have control over the dog and can make him sit straight. When you prevent mistakes, you won't have to correct them later. Cuff him before he sits down and don't wait until he is already sitting! If he continues to sit crooked, cuff him harder. About turn! Jerk! Praise! Keep moving. Walk briskly, especially on the about-turn. Use a series of short, snappy jerks to make the dog forget outside distractions.

Jerk the lead in the direction of travel. Not up in the air! That lifts the dog from the floor. When you make an about-turn, pivot sharply to the right and snap the lead parallel to the floor after you are headed in the opposite direction. Keep moving! When you make a left U-turn, bump into the dog to make him draw back by himself. Carry the leash comfortably in both hands. Keep it short but slack, and have your dog under control. Tighten the lead to make a correction, but don't drag or hold it tight. When you snap the lead the right way, you will hear the collar click. Pat your side after you jerk the leash to reassure your dog, and coax him to come in close. While heeling, carry your left arm straight and hold it close to your body. When the dog forges ahead, jerk backward! When he lags, jerk forward!

Don't exaggerate hand motions. Use a wrist action as well as bending the elbow and snap the leash short and hard. Throughout the training, command first, correct second, praise third! Pat your left leg and tousle the dog's head after each correction to overcome hurt feelings. This is done without taking your band from the leash.

The dogs must sit square and close to the side. Be careful not to step into your dog! It will make him move away from you. If he sits wide, pull him in close and hold the lead tight until he sits down the way he should. When he goes too far ahead, hold the leash in back of your body in the left hand and jerk backward before you stop moving. If he persists in sitting too far ahead, step across in front of him and block him with your left leg. At the same time, pull the lead tight across your left hip. He must learn never to pass your left knee when either heeling or sitting, and not to sit at an angle. If he does, take up the slack in the lead with the right hand and use your left hand to cuff him on the off-side hip! Praise your dog immediately after the correction so his feelings won't be hurt.