Obedience training and behavior modification help turn a family dog into a family member.
Social skills take your dog to the next step. A dog that knows how to behave in public with good manners is a welcomed companion that onlookers admire.
Social skills or social grace are not as simple as socializing your puppy with neighbors, friends, and guests and frequent visits to shopping centers or your kid’s ball games.
Social grace is learning to pass people and other dogs, bikes, scooters, cars, or any other possible distraction without reaction.
Distraction without reaction skills also come into play when your puppy/dog is at sit/stay and people, dogs, bikes, etc., are passing by him.
The most important part of dog training is teaching your dog to walk at heel. Why? Because when your dog is at heel, you have the most control. I can’t stress enough the importance of that. Walking at heel is not because it looks good or because that’s what the obedience books recommend. It’s recommended for a reason–being at heel is the most secure position for your dog and the most advantageous position of authority for you to guide and control your dog.
If you have 100% control over your dog when he is at heel, imagine losing about 10% of your control for approximately every 3-4 inches he gains on you by pulling ahead.
Most corrections are done by gently tugging, NOT PULLING the leash slightly back, saying “NO” firmly, then “heel” softly, to keep your dog from going ahead of you. Tugging slightly to the right, across your lap, saying “NO” firmly, then “heel” softly, will teach your dog to stay at your left side.
This method teaches dogs to pass people and other distractions at public places like home improvement centers. Dogs that usually pull toward the grass when walking on the sidewalk can easily be corrected by this method. When your dog is ahead of you, the angle of the leash will not allow you to control it.
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO THE END! First, the dog is prepared by walking along a wall. Then he passes people and another dog in the next aisle!!