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Many dogs respond to their owners' commands at close quarters. But the further away they get, the more selective there hearing becomes, How many of you have spent considerable walks chasing after your dog that refuses to stay close to you and obey commands?
Line training is a training technique to teach your dog to stay within a controlled boundary and whilst in this area, be attentive to your commands.
Line training can be made to look easy, by an experienced trainer and in fact it is but you must be very patient. You will find that training is more fun and pleasurable for both of you, if you make sure you complete each section before moving onto the next. Please do not attempt to rush through the training stages; it will only frustrate you and the dog.
To start line training all you require is a web training line and some training titbits. Web leads are a lightweight web line with a catch to attach to your dogs collar or body harness. They come in various lengths from 6 to 30ft; I usually recommend a line of 20-30ft.
For the safety of your dog web leads must never be attached to choke chain type collars or head collars. It is also worth wearing a pair of gloves during training to avoid rope burns. If you find during training that your dog continually bites or plays with the training line, then make sure you exercise your dog before training to help him release his pent up energy. .
Section 1: Training the WAIT and 'THIS WAY' commands
The WAIT command is important a very useful command to have for day-to-day control. Practice this using a short 6ft lead. Walk forwards and give the queue 'WAIT', then come to a halt. When your dog stops, treat and/or praise him instantly. Repeat this regularly during walks over a number of weeks in different environments.
The 'THIS WAY' command is the opposite of the WAIT command as it teaches your dog to follow you. When you employ the WAIT command to stop your dog, use the THIS WAY command to start moving again. Practice this over and over many times, using the THIS WAY command every time you change direction. .
Attach the web training line to your dog's collar or harness and allow it to drag behind to accustom your dog to this new lead. Give the queue 'THIS WAY' as you change direction. Praise your dog the instant they follow you. Remember you want your dog to follow you rather than recalling them to you. So you must praise the instant your dog changes direction towards you.
Over a number of sessions practice changing direction randomly, gently pulling and releasing the line when your dog is at a distance more than ¾ of the line length. Accompany this gentle tug with the THIS WAY command and praise the instance they change direction towards you. Remember that this exercise is simulation being off lead, so you should endeavour to keep the line loose at all times.
Section 2: Stop the verbal commands:
You now need to teach your dog to watch you rather than listen. So once your dog is stopping, looking and following you without prompting, gradually drop the verbal 'THIS WAY' command and only use it when necessary. However, continue to praise your dog when they follow your direction changes.
Section3: Removal of the training line:
When your dog is following you with minimal prompting, let go of the line and allow it to drag on the ground. If necessary, press one foot on the line if your dog moves beyond the controlled boundary. Practice this over a number of sessions and in different environments. Make sure you start from section 1 when you are confident you have control of your dog gradually cut a piece of the line off I suggest a 12 inches twice a week until you just have 12 inches left.. Remember if you have control of your dog walks will so enjoyable for you both and much safer for your dog.
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