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Old January 5th, 2006, 02:40 PM
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tenderfoot tenderfoot is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 1,249
Kim - it sounds like your instincts are good, you want a well mannered dog and are willing to work for it.
Yes your dog should always walk on a loose leash, but there is no reason why she can't do it immediately and right by your side. When we work a dog for the first time they are heeling right away. It's not that your dog doesn't know how to sit, come towards you, walk beside you etc. She has physically been able to do it all the second she began walking. it's about you learning how to communicate effectively and clearly and about her respecting your word.
Do not give up on stay or come - those are very important instructions. Use your leash more to back up your word. The stay is really a piece of cake. Start inside the house and ask her to sit (on a loose leash), give her a hand signal to stay and say 'stay ' in a firm, short tone. Step away from her but be ready to step right back in her direction (pressure) and have her sit again if she breaks the stay. Use your leash to stop her from moving about too much, but always go back to a loose leash. She will challenge you 3-5 times until she figures it out. Then walk slowly around her - be ready to correct her when you walk behind her as that is a tougher location of trust for a dog. Teach her to turn her head from side to side as she watches you go behind her and praise softly. Do not call her to come from the stay just yet. Instead teach her patience and to look to you for release. Step back to her side and stand there as you wait patiently for her to look at you in the eyes. When she does say 'okay' (or pumpkin pie - it doesn't matter) in a happy tone and release her to move out with you. Then praise, praise, praise and do it again. Repeat this drill a few times and increase your energy as you go. This takes her to higher levels of distraction as you are racing about the room and she is watching you act like a fool but doesn't budge.
It would be great to attend a class. Don't hestiate to call us (check out our web site for the # in Colorado) if you ever need help - we help on the phone for free and can often talk you through a lot of stuff.
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www.TenderfootTraining.com
Dog Training the Way Nature Intended

Last edited by tenderfoot; January 5th, 2006 at 02:44 PM.
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