This is your 13th training lesson.
Your 7th Lesson in Intermediate Obedience
This week we introduce the "In Place Turns". This is the last new skills in the Intermediate Obedience exercises. These turns are simply being able to turn in a new direction and your dog moves to the heel position.
Of course we need to review all prior techniques. Focus on your dog paying attention and making eye contact. This exercise while seemingly trivial is vitally important in the success of all the other skills.
This week, as in the previous weeks, we will continue to review all the skills and seek peak performance from your dog. You must not allow your dog to perform sloppy skills. Demand higher perfection from your dog and make them repeat the skill if it is below standard.
Continue to perform all the skills you have learned up to this point. Create a warm up routine that includes every skill. This routine should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Skills are developed by repetition. Repeat each skill 4 to 6 times to ensure patterns are being set.
In-Place Right Turn About With your dog in the heel position, step back with the right leg as you command "Heel". Pivot with the right leg as you motion the dog's position with your left hand. Command the dog to "Sit". Praise. Repeat several times, making sure that the dog is sitting squarely with you at your side.
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In-Place Turn Against Your Dog With your dog in the heel position, step back with your left foot as you command "Heel". Pivot with the right leg as you motion the dog's position with your left hand on your left leg and switch the leash from your right hand to your left hand. Command the dog to "Sit". Praise. Again, repeat several times, making sure that the dog is sitting squarely with you at your side.
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In-Place Left Turn About With your dog in the heel position, hold the leash in the left hand. As you step in front of the dog, hand signal the dog to stay. Quickly, give the "Heel" command while signaling the leg position. Take two steps forward and command the dog to "Sit". Praise your dog. This should be a tight turn forcing your dog to move out of your way.
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Off leash Recall By now we should be able to call your dog in from a sit stay from a fair amount of distance, without the leash. As your dog is successful keep adding more and more distance between you and your dog. If you dog is unable to complete the off leash recall, put the leash back on and repeat several times. Try again off leash.
Command the dog to "Sit" if needed.
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Finish Keep working the finish skill until your dog flies into this position. Face the dog and hold the leash in your right hand. Place your left hand under his chin. Motion the dog with your hand to your left as you take a step back and the dog makes a semicircle and comes to sit at your left side. Praise. If the dog has problems with this, assist with gentle tugs of the leash. (To much leash promotes resistance) Make sure the dog is sitting straight at your side. If not, quickly command the dog to "Heel", take a few steps forward and command the dog to "Sit". Repeat this step until the dog sits straight at your side. This exercise may still require motivation with treats or a toy to get your dog to put in enough energy to complete the move. This is normal. This exercise requires a lot of effort from your dog, so help them as much as possible until the skill is automatic.
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Would you like this lesson in a text format for your phone email?
freeclass13@dogskool.org
Practice these skills several times a day throughout your training course.