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Attach the leash to the puppy's collar and you remain in place. If the pup is rambling and out of control, then you need to apply this little Settle Down exercise. Gather the leash up in your right hand and use your left hand for the corrective pop. Release the grip on the leash and let the pup wonder away as far as the leash will permit (6 feet), just until it is snug. When you feel the slightest tension on the lead, give a gentle pop on the collar using the leash.
There really isn't any reason to say anything to the puppy at this stage as your puppy is learning all by itself that when it goes to the end of the leash and pulls, you give a gentle pop on the leash back towards you. The puppy may stop and look at you. When he does, immediately praise in a calm voice "GOOD BOY/GIRL" . Repeat this procedure until the puppy has created an invisible circle around you, not struggling to push out past the 6 foot perimeter. Once you are sure the puppy is starting to under-stand, you can gather up three feet of the six foot lead and repeat the same thing with a three foot lead. This helps prepare your puppy for heel work where the puppy is on your left side on a loose lead. When he reaches this calm-ness, he is ready to carry on to the next step .Make this as pleasant an experience as possible. Some puppies will just sit there and refuse to move.
This usually means they are confused and just need an excited voice to get them motivated. Squatting down at the end of the leash, while applying steady pressure on the collar towards you will help . Once he starts to move, get up and walk away from the spot. This will motivate him to keep moving. This “LET'S GO “exercise can also be carried out on a long 20 to 30 foot light nylon rope. The long line was mentioned previously in the energy burn off section. This long distance tool enables your puppy to have a safe and natural energy burn off time. He can be free to a certain extent, to explore and play in normal puppy ways without the danger of getting out of your reach, causing harm or injury. This will make him a better puppy in the house as well.
Step Two: "The Lets Go Exercise":
With the puppy still on his leash and collar, you are ready to start out for a walk. Start walking forward, commanding "Let's" Go as you start out and allow the pup to have the full length of his leash to explore on. Of course, if you are not in an area to do this at full length, i.e. a sidewalk, simply shorten the lead by folding it over in your right hand .Make this as pleasant an experience as possible. Some puppies will just sit there and refuse to move. This usually means they are confused and just need an excited voice to get them motivated.
Squatting down at the end of the leash, while applying steady pressure on the collar towards you will help . Once he starts to move, get up and walk away from the spot. This will motivate him to keep moving. This “LET'S GO” exercise can also be carried out on a long 20 to 30 foot light nylon rope. The long line was mentioned previously in the energy burn off section. This long distance tool enables your puppy to have a safe and natural energy burn off time. He can be free to a certain extent, to explore and play in normal puppy ways without the danger of getting out of your reach, causing harm or injury. This will make him a better puppy in the house as well.
Step Three: "L e t's Go” and "Recall"
(Coming when called):
During the “LET'S GO“ exercise, whether on your 6 foot leash or the long line, you have the perfect set up to start the puppy on the recall exercise (come back when called). Try to pick a moment when the puppy is not watching you to practice this one. Call out his name first in a happy tone then in a command tone, "COME". Give the pup a second or two to respond by looking at you. If there is no response, pop quickly on the leash or long line to get his attention. Repeat the command and start backing away from his direction.
This body language movement is usually enough motivation for him to recall back to you, however, if there is still resistance, reel the pup into your reach. This reinforces to the pup that he cannot win at this recall game. Start praising the moment the pup begins to move to you without resistance. After a few moments of praise and hugs, release the pup with an enthusiastic “OK“ and start off again with “LET'S GO“. By working the long distance recall, your pup learns to come to you no matter what he is distracted by.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: While your puppy is in the early stages of training, use a long line or the 6 foot leash every time the pup is outdoors. It only takes one chase game to end the pup's life. Prevention is always better than correction.
Step Four: "SIT" on Command:
Place your puppy on your left hand side. Place your left hand on the puppy's shoulders and your right hand on his chest. Quietly praise the pup if he accepts your hands without struggle or mouthing. Give the command "SIT" in an assertive, matter-of-fact tone. As you command the pup, slide your left hand down over his back, tucking the hind legs under him, easing him into a "SIT". To STEADY your pup simply means to hold the pup in the position that you have placed him into, using confident hands so he feels secure. Steady the pup for only 10 to 15 seconds at a time, during the first session of training and praise only with your voice while the pup is in the exercise. Release him with an enthusiastic "OK" and then apply hands on praising and petting. This can be repeated up to 4 or 5 times in a row but remember his attention span is very short at this age.
FREEZE STAY: Most puppies really want to please their masters, once they start to understand and respect the handler. We use a special technique to help settle the unruly puppy or one who may be a bit frightened or even high energy. If the pup starts to back off or leave the scene when you reach out to pick it up, give an assertive verbal command, "STAY". Not a yelling voice, but an assertive no nonsense tone. Use the "STAY" hand signal at the same time as you give the verbal command. This signal is your arm extended towards the puppy, wrist bent upwards slightly with your fingers angled towards the ceiling. This signal visually resembles a STOP sign to the pup. Similar to the hand signal used by a policeman directing traffic and asking you to stop.
Hold the signal as you quietly approach the puppy. This is a STEADYING technique which helps the pup freeze in the position until you can reach him. Use a gentle, calm praise voice as you move closer to him. Once he's in your arms or on a leash return your voice to normal tones. With a young puppy, several repetitions a day would be a great bonus in training for control over a very high energy or potentially bratty type of personality. By using this technique, you can turn this tool into an obedience exercise. Start this practice as early as 8-10 weeks of age.
Hopefully, your puppy stayed with it's mother until that time since there are so many natural mother's training skills that helps prepare the pup for the real world. Certain high energy breeds such as Dalmatians, Border Collies, Beagles or most Terriers should be set up in the situation with a leash and collar on so that you can use them as STEADYING tools as well. This little exercise could very well save your dogs life someday. It may seem insignificant now but as your pup matures and you extend the distance between the pup and yourself, the voice control will come.
Step Five: Recall from a Sit Position:
A second application for the recall exercise is interact-ed with the sit exercise. Place the puppy in a sit position on your left leg as learned in Step 4. Keep your right hand on his chest and command "WAIT". Swing yourself around to the front of the puppy so that you are facing him straight on. If the pup tries to get up simply steady him with '2 hands until he settles. Once calm, say the puppy's name and the command "COME" in an assertive tone. Remove your right hand off his chest and lean back. Encourage him to come to you with "Good Boy/Girl".
Smile and allow the pup to come directly to you. If he is distracted or sluggish, repeat "COME" and use the leash to guide the pup to you, keep praising. Release with the magic word "OK" and set him up in another sit position for repetition. Four or five of these are enough for one session.
