Optional Long down While optional, this exercise is a helpful prelude to the down-stay exercise that comes later in the course. Do this long-down exercise once daily for the next week. Make sure that you have 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to devote to this exercise before you begin. You can watch TV, listen to music or the radio, while doing this exercise as long as you are attentive to your dog’s activities. Your dog should be on a six-foot leash. Sit on the floor and place the dog in a down position on your left side, giving the dog the command, “Down.” Remove your hands and remain there for 30 minutes. Do not touch your dog except to reposition him or to prevent him from getting up. As soon as the dog begins to get up, apply downward pressure with your left hand on his withers and repeat the command, “Down.” Once the dog is repositioned, take your hands away. This is not a play session. Do not give the dog toys or other play articles. At the end of 30 minutes, release the dog with “OK!” If he has fallen asleep, wake him up so you can give him the release.
Heel on leash Change of direction Start teaching this concept by introducing the dog to wide U-shaped turns: left U-turn and right U-turn. It may be useful to practise these turns at first without the dog. Hold your leash in your right hand and have several bits of food in your left. Teach the turns as follows. Right U-turn As you are heeling at a normal pace: 1. Re-issue the heel command. 2. Guide your dog with a food tidbit, held in your left hand just above the dog’s nose. Encourage him with “Good boy heel, good boy heel,” as you begin the turn. 3. Once the turn is completed and the dog has kept heel position, give him the tidbit, praising him for good heeling.
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