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No matter what kind of collar you use in the At first, just do down and backs, going slowly
show ring, a quality flat-link collar gives the and giving the dog a lot of lead. You’ve taught
dog maximum information with very little the dog to choose to be with you in the standing
effort from you, and it is the one to use for exercise so now you’ll do that with movement.
this training. Get one sized properly for your When you feel tension on the lead, a gentle
dog. Measure around the widest part of the pop with praise the instant they move towards
head, which is usually around the ears, add two you will quickly remind them that this game
inches and that’s the size you need. Use a six- is the same one they already know, just with
foot lead that’s easy for you to hold on to and movement added. Giving them a lot of lead
go somewhere your dog is familiar with but is gives you both the opportunity to refine the
a little bit distracting. Stand still, allowing the dog’s position relative to you as you’re both
dog to have the entire lead, and as they move moving in the same direction. The goal is a dog
away from you, just be quiet who is gaiting on a loose lead
and stand still. When you in the correct position for your
feel any pull on the lead, give breed. When your dog is in the
it a soft pop and encourage correct position, praise. When
your dog to come near you. they get far away, be quiet, use
As soon as they start moving a gentle lead pop when you feel
towards you, praise. Continue tension, and praise immediately
standing still and if they get when they start moving back
to the end of the lead again, towards you. As your dog
repeat the process. When they chooses the correct position
get near you, use your “stand” without moving away from you,
command or whatever you add speed and keep practicing
say as you stack them, and and praising. Remember–no
praise them when they stop eye contact, even when praising.
and stand. The stack doesn’t Let your left hand be visible and
have to be beautiful–right moving and let your dog focus
now you’re just asking them to on that hand, not your face.
choose to work near you. Do Once you have the down and
several short sessions like this, back the way you want it, it’s
and once the dog is choosing time to add corners.
to stay close to you instead of
wandering off to explore, it’s Slow down again as you teach
your dog to corner and stay
time to start moving. with you. When you’re heading for a corner,
Again, remember the “no eye contact” rule. flex your left wrist and hand towards the inside
This is extremely important for correct gaiting of the ring to indicate the turn. As you round
and extremely difficult for many handlers to the corner, straighten out your left wrist again.
remember. Repeat for each corner, remembering to keep
When first teaching your dog to gait, go slowly. your hand down where your dog can see it.
As you see your dog begin to turn when you
Seriously, even if you have a breed where the flex your wrist, you know you can begin to
handler generally runs, you walk. You and your add speed. Keep practicing and praising, using
dog are learning together to execute beautiful short, happy training sessions so you and your
teamwork and the slower you go at first, the dog can both enjoy the learning process.
more confidence you’ll both build, and the
better you’ll look when gaiting around the ring With practice, you and your dog will soon shine
at the correct speed for your breed. just like those amazing teams you see in groups
You’re going to cue your dog with your left and Best. They got there through training,
practice, patience, mutual respect and trust, and
hand, so keep that hand down where the dog
can see it. A lot of handlers hold the lead way up you can do it, too.
high, with their hand at shoulder height. This Sandy Weaver is an author, consultant and
might look fancy–it gives you no control of the professional speaker who works with veterinarians
dog and gives the dog no information about to create happier hospital cultures and more
where you’re going because they can’t see that resilient teams. She also judges Junior Showmanship
hand. Keep it down where they can see it with and some Working and Non-Sporting breeds. When
their peripheral vision. Even small dogs can see she’s not traveling to consult, speak or to judge,
what’s just above them in their periphery, and she’s spoiling her Siberian Husky and Standard
when your hand is there, they can follow it. That Poodle. Find out more about her at: https://www.
makes it easy for them to feel connected and centerforworkplacehappiness.com
confident in where you’re both going. Originally published March 2022 in The Canine
Chronicle - www.caninechronicle.com
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