Installation Guide

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THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMAND: HERE
“Here” is the most important command your dog will ever learn. It is an escape from almost any trouble. “Here”
tells your dog to come to you immediately and without deviation. This command is very easy for your dog to
learn if you will speak its language. Most dogs will make a beeline to any person who kneels down and opens up
their arms. In this position you are using postural language to welcome your dog. While you are kneeling and
your dog is running to you, add the verbal command “Here.” Shower your dog with positive verbal rewards while
stroking its shoulder.
Let’s take a second again and discuss how much positive reward to give a dog when it follows your commands.
Do you remember how your dog communicates to you that it understands and accepts your actions? When your
dog swallows, it says, “I understand.” So, back off the positive rewards when your dog says it understands and
accepts your thank you by swallowing. Continually stroking your dog’s shoulder and praising it will eventually
lessen the sincerity of your reward and that could be a huge mistake. Training your dog to come to you with the
“Here” command is done along with the postural position of kneeling and opening up your arms.
The leash (or lead) should be used in training your dog on the command “Here” as soon as it is comfortable with
the leash. Give the command “Here” and apply a slight tug on the leash. Be sure to release the leash pressure the
instant the dog starts coming toward you. Many people try to maintain leash pressure until the dog is at their
side. While this works, it can be too much pressure and your dog does not get the reward of turning the pressure
off while it is coming to you. If your dog hesitates or fails to come directly to you, give another tug with the lead
and repeat “Here.” When your dog arrives at your side, stroke its shoulder until it gives you a swallow response.
Your dog has learned what you want and now it is time to condition the response with repetition.
A POSITIONAL COMMAND: HEEL
“Heel” is a positional command that instructs your dog to assume a position beside your leg whether you
are walking, standing, running, or riding a horse. People seek professional help in teaching their dog to heel
properly more than for any other command. These folks always explain that their puppy is a great dog but it will
not walk on its leash. This means the dog feels like it is alpha and should lead its owner where it pleases. Every
dog will learn the proper heel position on its fi rst day of training with proper leash usage. Place the leash in its
proper position behind your dog’s ears and begin walking forward. If your dog attempts to lead you by moving
ahead, simply change direction. The leash will tighten around its neck and it will follow your new direction. It is
imperative that no leash pressure be present when your dog’s head is beside your knee. It will learn this position
is safe and causes no discomfort through repetition. Add the verbal command “Heel” after the dog assumes the
correct position and repeat “Heel” each time its head is beside your knee.
We have discussed how to correct your dog if it attempts to lead you, but what should you do if it tries to lag
behind or fl op around like a fi sh instead of following your lead? Keep moving forward and allow the leash to
do its job. The important point is for you not to stop moving. If you stop walking to check on your dog or coax
it forward, the leash will relax and its pressure will stop. Your dog must learn that the only way the pressure
around its neck will disappear is by assuming the correct “Heel” position. With repetition, this position will
become a comfort zone.