The purpose of this article is to educate those that seriously interested in training their companion allowing both the companion and owner fulfillment through this natural response. This simple but imperative procedure is best started as a puppy, but will work with any age dog. It is very natural for the dogs understanding, being as the canine is a pack animal responding to a social pecking order. As trainers we understand the only way you can train a dog is by getting its attention. Obviously if you don’t have it you might as well bang your head against the wall because your results will be for naught!

It seems so simple that it seems ridiculous, but its not. If we would just consider what the dogs’ needs and behavior dictate we would have a better balanced and behaved dog. I also believe we would be much wiser for the effort. The procedure is the “follow response”. If you are following your companion, guess who is the leader? The other basic but simple fact is if you are looking at your companion why should they be looking at you? I didn’t say not paying attention or watching your dog. When you are looking at your dog your face is facing them, but when watching them you are using your peripheral vision or as I call it Mom vision. You should be observing every motion so you learn to read their posturing or body language. This is how they communicate to each other. If your dog is really talking get it on TV or get professional help as you lie on a couch. We understand through scientific studies how their brain functions and know they have no memory that the brain works through unitary perception or otherwise association.

To accomplish this we should use a retractable leash or a long light line. When the dog is ignoring you, walk away in the direction opposite of where it is looking, giving a short pop and a pat on your left hip. Do not say anything and don’t look at the dog. As the dog joins you on the left in a correct heel position repeat the pat on your hip and praise the dog and associate a word such as “heel”, when the dog joins you in the heel position. Not otherwise! (That position is companion’s right front leg parallel with your left.) Stop and allow the dog to lose attention and quickly move away patting the hip and using the quick pop for direction again. Continue to repeat this procedure with consistency and praise. If you are doing this correctly you will find the dog will begin to watch every move and you will have trouble getting away.

Later you may employ quickness and speed to make a fun time of it. Do so with just a few quick steps. You should be enjoying yourself too and find that it will be fun trying to fake them out. Remember that if they aren’t paying attention you are likely not their leader. They are much like a precocious child, looking for direction. So use body cues, point or motion using your whole arm. Also don’t give unconditional attention and have fun. It’s good for both of you!

Written by: Steve Estrada ·"Gone to the Dogs" · March, 2005