Mastering the Walk- Day 2

Teaching ‘Wait’

Today we’re going to focus on two different commands that will help you gain back control of your walk.  I want you asking your dog to wait every time you leave and come back through the door, but I also want you to start teaching them how to give you their focus.

The ‘Wait’ command not only prevents bolting and the overexcitement, it also forces your dog to slow his/her brain down and take a second to pause.  Since this is different from the traditional stay command in that your dog will be getting to come, it just allows for a brief moment of slowing the brain down and thinking a little bit more.

From your dog’s perspective it says- ‘what is it that I want right now? To go outside! What will it take to get me out there? Oh, pausing at the door until my person tells me it’s okay to go.’

To learn more about how to teach the ‘wait’ command, check out my YouTube video.

Teaching ‘Look’

You’re probably wondering what this behavior is doing right in the middle of our Mastering the Walk Challenge.  Well, we need to be able to get your dog’s focus back on you while you’re walking for 2 main reasons.

1. This will naturally bring them back to you, which is what we need when you’re being pulled down the street; them to be back at your side.  When you ask them to look at you, they’re going to have to come back to give you that focus.  If they don’t come right back and they just look back at you, gently pull them towards you, ask for a sit and then ‘look.’
2. As you run into distractions on your walk this will help to get your dog’s attention instead of reacting.  If you see another dog, for example, first ask your dog for a sit. Preferably in a place that is far enough away from where the other dog will be passing.  Then ask for the ‘look’ command and hold their focus.  Keep reassuring them while they are looking at you and reward with a treat.

This focus on demand is useful in so many situations the possibilities are endless.  Have a dog that barks at other dogs or people? ‘Look!’ Have a dog that barks at the doorbell? ‘Look!’ Have a dog who tends to not listen? ‘Look!’

*for those of you with ball or squeaky toy motivated dogs, use this in place of a treat to get their attention! The reward can be catching the ball or getting to carry it.

Here’s a link to my how-to YouTube video for teaching this!

As you’re on your walk I want you to practice these behaviors along the route. When you’re home and inside, spend 5-10 minutes twice a day on each of these to really nail them down.

How are the walks going? I know your dog is loving every minute of it and if you aren’t yet, you will be soon! If nothing else, you’re out there doing it and that’s what matters! As always, reach out if you’re having any trouble!