It’s a horrible day out today, so here’s some tips to help you teach your dog indoors.

Hand touching

Hold your left hand out to the side of your little way, dogs are naturally curious so should touch your outstretched hand, if they do, reward straightaway, by marking with a word i.e. good or yes and follow straight away with a treat. If you have any difficulty working with your dog on the left then work on the right. In fact, it’s worth teaching your dog to walk on both sides and therefore work on both sides so there’s your challenge for today.

Placing at Heel

With your treat in your hand in your left hand and the dogs nose in contact with your fingers, take the dog round anticlockwise in a circle. Take the dog right out and behind you and then bring the dog up to your leg, trying to get the dogs right leg in line with the seam of your trousers, when the dog is there reward.

Starting heel work

Start with your hand held out to your left as far as you can reach with your fingers just above the dog nose. With your treat held between your first finger and your thumb, (the dog so should be slightly up in the air ) take two pieces forward and the dogs nose is still in contact with your hand, reward.

Recall

Sitting in a chair with your bottom on the edge and your leg sticking out in front of you, (your feet should be no wider than the dogs bottom ) a big pot treats by your side with a glass of something or a lovely coffee for you. With your treats in your fingers encourage your dog to come into the funnel made by your legs, raising the treat to get the dog to sit by drawing the treat slowly up to your chest, once it’s sitting mark and treat. (if you initially have trouble getting the dog to sit just reward coming in) PS, your feet should be flat on the floor.

Have a great day everyone