Quick Dog Training Tip - Training With a Long Lead

In another article we discussed a very simpleSit- or Down-Stay. Put your dog in position, then
method of training your dog to come when called.back away to the end of the lead while holding on
Eventually, though, you'll want to move thatto the handle. Once you get to the end, yell
training outside, and the best place to work on'Come' to get your dog to come and sit in front
the 'Come' command is in a small, fenced-in area.of you and give him plenty of praise.
But, if you don't have a fence, or you want toIf your dog doesn't come right to you, quickly pull
try working with your dog at the dog park orthe lead and make him come to you anyway.
another large area, the next best thing isHave him sit and then praise him, so that you
something called Long-Lead Training.model the correct behavior for him. This shows
Long-Lead Training is just what it sounds like;him what you wanted so that he has a better
hook your dog up to a lead of about 20 feet inchance of doing it correctly next time.
length. This will allow you to get a good distanceLong leads are also good to use for hiking (the
from your dog and still have control, just in caseretractable works best for that) or for potty
he doesn't have that 'Come' command downbreaks out the back door when it's raining and
perfect yet, and tries instead to 'Go' to theyou would prefer to stay under cover, but you
parking lot. You can get a standard web-strap ordon't have a fence.
rope-line lead in 20-foot lengths from most petA long lead is a good training aid to have handy,
supply stores, or you can work with one of theand it helps your dog to learn to listen at a
reel-style retractable leads with the thumb-lockdistance while still keeping you in control of the
engaged with the line extended.situation.
You want the lead to be slack with your dog in a