Hi ya. DO you clicker train? Here's a quick and easy way to teach "close" for teeny tiny dogs.
get a stick and tie a wee bit of fake fur of the end. first get the dog to target the bit of fur.
- when the dog looks at the fur click and treat, do that a dozen times
- then only click the dog for actually touching the fur with its nose
- now start moving the stick round and clicking everytime the dog touchs the fur
- now you can start walking with the stick at your side and getting the dog to touch as you walk along.
- try taking your stick on walks and to the park so your dog knows that the behaviour is required in lots of places not just at home.
- once the dog is walking along nicely at your side and not touching the stick -- click and treat that.
- once the behaviour's solid start adding the word "close" and clicking and treating
- then you can slowly cut out the clicking and treating and just use a verbal reward "good girl"
This is WILL take time. If your dog fails three times in a row then take it back a step - they don't know what you're asking for.
I won't say my guys do it all the time but it hasn't been something that I've hard out trained. Dixie walks quite nicely on a loose lead and both will heel without a lead at the park.
The stick's really handy because you don't have to bend over to train the behaviour.
One more thing -- your dog can probably feel your tension down that leash -- where possible try to have a loose lead.
Hope this helps! |