Hands Free - With the leash around your waist your dog should move with you so smoothly that you don't even know the leash is attached! Rules while on hands free are 1. Move at your normal pace or slightly faster. 2. The leash must never become tight. 3. The dog must never lead. 4. You are not allowed to hold the leash.

~ Hold the Leash - Do not hold the leash at the handle end only. Be sure to always scoop up the excess leash and plant your hand to the side of your hip for strength, stability and corrections. Same rules apply as Hands Free... the leash is not allowed to be tight between their collar and your hand and the dog is not allowed to lead.

~ Patience - Practice this often and everywhere! Make your dog sit where-ever, when-ever for how ever long you would like, inside and out. Increase the distractions.

~ Obstacles - Be creative... use light standards, posts, trees, parking meters, street signs, benches, whatever you can find. If your dog is watching you, they will fall in behind you and not get caught up.

~ Start-Stops - Remember to come to a complete and quick stop first. Your goal is to have your dog stop as soon as you stop because they are watching you (avoiding the self correction.)

~ Direction Changes - 90 degree or 180 degree turns ONLY. Your goal is to have your dog watching you and turning when you do, moving along without pulling or leading. Make sure to take 3 or 4 quick steps on every turn! This is a great exercise if your dog is still pulling!

~ Snap-Sit - Repetition is key. Remember you have to come to a stop FIRST, before you snap, and then you can draw up on the leash if your dog didn't sit.

~ Square-Sit - Stop, square to your dog, if your dog doesn't sit, draw up on the leash.

~ Verbal Sit - Stop FIRST, then say "sit", and then draw up on the leash if the dog does not sit. Break it up into those 3 steps! Repetition is key.

~ Down - Step on the leash, or use verbal with hand signal and draw down on leash with your hand to follow through if your dog does not comply. You should be able to lift your foot of the leash or stand up, square to your dog, and back up, without your dog moving. If they move, go back, replace them in the down non-verbally.

~ Stay - Hand signal and verbal "stay" before you back away from your dog. Never repeat the verbal "stay" but you can show your hand at any time. Build on success. Increase time before distance. When introducing longer distances, shorten the time. When introducing distractions shorten the distance. Increase time and distance when you are getting success several times in a row.

~ Tie Dog - Tie your dog to a tree, bench or whatever you can find. Walk away from your dog. The distance you can go, and weather you are in sight or out of sight, will depend on your dog being relaxed and comfortable. Avoid emotional hellos and goodbyes - when you tie them up, just tie and walk away. When you return, avoid eye contact, pets and talk, just untie and walk away. Tying the dog helps to build patience, trust and confidence.

~ Stop! - From the side you will pivot around, tall body posture, hand forward and sharply say the word "STOP!" From the front you will call your dog towards you then stand up, step forward, hand forward and sharply say "STOP!"

~ Recall - Non-verbal, clap hands twice, crouch down and open arms wide. Verbal, add "Fido! Come!". If the dog does not come, give a tug on the leash towards you. Always praise when the dog comes in. Games like HIDE & GO SEEK will help with recall too.

~ Go Play! - While moving forward, when your dog is matching your pace smoothly give them a little pus away from you, say "Go Play!" and let go of the leash. Remember to switch directions often to always be leading and keeping your dog's eyes on you. Don't forget... off-leash is a privilege!

~ Confidence Building - See the world as a giant agility course! Challenge your dog to different surfaces, obstacles, stays on different things, etc.

~ Interruption - This is a one syllable sound, "hey", "shhht", "awww", "no", etc. to be used BEFORE the dog makes a mistake. Pay attention to your dog's body language, focus and eye direction... this is time to interrupt. If the mistake is made, move into corrections.

~ Fulfill your Dog - 1. Leadership 2. Exercise 3. Rules, Structure, Corrections, Boundaries, Discipline 4. Good Nutrition 5. Affection (Playing with your dog, off-leash privileges, and petting are all forms of 'affection'.)

*Share affection ONLY when your dog is calm, relaxed and peaceful - Any time you touch your dog, (or talk soothingly to your dog) you will grow and nurture what ever state of mind your dog is in. Be sure that your are nurturing desired behaviour!

This is quoted from Tracie at Clever Canines.

Deanna, Daisy & Winston

www.albertaanimalrescuecrew.com