In this section we will hope to move forward a little more on the heel work and the sit and stay exercises. Trying to keep things as simple as possible for the puppy to understand we are taking it nice and slow. Some of you might think we should move on a little quicker but I am a firm believer that if you take your time at this stage the pups remember things a lot better.
I hope you had fun with the last exercises and thank you for all your emails now on to the next few exercises.

HEEL WORK

Now your pup should be walking nicely by your side as before sit the pup up and with the command HEEL move off as your walking along loosen your grip on the lead to allow the pup to walk on a very slack lead. If the pup at anytime tries to pull forward take the slack up and re establish control by giving the command heel and walk a short distance before you loosen the lead again. What were trying to get through to the pup is although the lead may by loose you are still in perfect control. Try this for a few days and once the pup is happy to walk on a loose lead you can move on a little further, as before put the lead on and with the command HEEL move the pup forward loosen the lead and after a short distance give the pup a command SIT as the pup is sitting wrap the lead around its neck and leave the loop free. What you are trying to achieve is to make the lead look like a collar and by leaving the loop free you have something you can get hold of to get the pup back under control if needs be. Now you have the pup sitting with the lead tucked in give the command HEEL and move off, what you'll find is the pup will move off and walk to heel if at anytime you feel the pup is pulling to far forward give the loop a little tug a give the command HEEL this will remind the pup that your still in control. Continue with this for a few days and once your happy the pup is walking nicely to heel you can take it a step further. Start as before but this time sit the pup up and remove the lead now drape the lead across the back of the dogs neck and give the command heel as the dog gets up and walks away lift the lead away from the pup and you should find the pup will stay at your side if at any time the pup pulls forward drape the lead back over the dogs neck to regain control. Once happy with this, sit the pup up and without putting the lead on give the command heel and the pup should walk to heel, if at anytime the pup pulls to far forward remember to correct the pup always try to remind the pup that your in control keep slipping the lead on and off etc. Try these few exercises and see how you get on.

These next few updates will be short and will be in fortnightly sections if you have any problems or need any advice feel free to email and remember keep logging onto UKGUNDOGS.ORG

HAVE FUN AND DON'T RUSH THE TRAINING

NEXT STAGE: SIT & STAY

Written by Huw Jones (Ffynongain Gundogs)
For more advice you can contact Huw - Tel 01994 231229
mob 07742 116183
www.gundogs-wales.co.uk