Play this game, Follow Me, to teach your puppy to walk next to you.
Teach your dog to walk near you with one game!
1) Begin in your home or yard. As you walk about, wait for your dog to look at you and say “yes” or click, then toss him a treat. Step away and watch as he looks at you again, click and toss him a treat. Repeat this at least 8-10 times for the first session. This teaches you that looking at you is rewardable.
2) Next, click or say yes when your dog gets close to your leg and put the food right into his mouth, repeat for each meal teaching your dog that when he follows you, good things happen.
3) Now, add a 4’ or 6’ leash and repeat this game in your home or yard. If your dog stops to smell something, just pause, breathe and call your dogs name. If your dog does not look at you most every time you call his/her name, watch The Name Game Next: • Play the Name Game wit...
4) Mark with a click or verbal yes, when your dog looks at you and offer him a treat on the side you want him to walk, while holding his leash loosely.
5) After a few repetitions, begin to click or say "yes" when your dog is near your leg and put the treat in his mouth. In the beginning, you will need to treat every few steps, then fade the treats to every 10 or 20 steps while telling your dog “what a good dog”. Rewards should be random, not always longer. Meaning, reward after 5 steps, 20 steps, 10 steps, 2 steps, keep the pup engaged initially as he learns this new skill.
A NOTE ABOUT FOOD DELIVERY-!
**When giving your dog treat rewards, aim to feed them when their head is beside your leg. This teaches the dog to keep their mouth at this location. **Use the hand closest to your dog for smoother delivery.
**Imagine your hand as a dispenser always giving treats near your pant leg. This helps your dog keep their head in line with a loose leash.
TIPS FOR YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL !
Consider your pace while practicing with your dog. Changing your pace can make the training more enjoyable for your dog and keep them attentive. Take breaks if your puppy is low energy or you need to get better treat rewards.
If you find yourself getting frustrated, it's best to go back to practicing in a quiet environment before reintroducing distractions gradually. Start with distractions at a distance, setting your dog up for success.
When a distraction becomes too overwhelming for your dog, try calling their name. When they look at you, use a clicker and quickly move away, then reward them.
Remember, expecting your dog to walk beside you without teaching them that following you is rewarding can lead to frustration for both of you. So, make sure to reward your dog for following you, and understand that it may take a few weeks for them to learn to walk on a loose leash.