Basic training goes hand in hand with the first proper walks, which should be short and often, with a little heelwork introduced straightaway. Most professional dog trainers maintain that a dog should walk on the left-hand side of his owner, with the neck about level with the owner's leg. This is because most people are right-handed; hunters generally carry their guns under the right arm, and a dog on the same side would receive a few knocks from the gun as it came up to aim. It is immaterial to the dog whether it is taught to walk to heel on the right or the left side, but it would be confusing in obedience trials and when the dog is walked by somebody accustomed to the left-hand dog.
The lead is customarily carried with the loop at the end over the right wrist or grasped in the right hand; the left hand can be used for taking up the slack and checking a forward pull. No dog, young or old, should be allowed to pull on his lead; most dogs can pull more strongly than their owners and the ensuing tug¬ of-war results in an owner with sore shoulder muscles and a dog gasping for breath. Give the command 'Heel' and step off at a reasonable, purposeful pace, the lead held loosely in the right hand ; pat the left leg encouragingly and give a small jerk to the lead to get the puppy's attention.
Once the puppy has learn t to obey the basic commands, it is a good idea for owner and dog to join a training class, where he can be taught more advanced programs in the company of other dogs and handlers. Training classes are advertised in the local press and at veterinary surgeries; they are generally inexpensive and offer good opportunities for getting the puppy used to canine company, and for the owner to establish friendships with other dog lovers.
The reason for training a dog is simple; he must be taught his place in life and his position in the household. An untrained dog gets into mischief, and the more intelligent, the more mischief he will dream up. Untrained dogs cause road accidents, frighten or bite legitimate callers, chase sheep, trespass on private land and create annoyance in the neighborhood with their constant barking and roaming. At worst they end up being destroyed or discarded as strays. The fault lies not with the dog but with the owner; basically there are no bad dogs, only irresponsible owners.
The lead is customarily carried with the loop at the end over the right wrist or grasped in the right hand; the left hand can be used for taking up the slack and checking a forward pull. No dog, young or old, should be allowed to pull on his lead; most dogs can pull more strongly than their owners and the ensuing tug¬ of-war results in an owner with sore shoulder muscles and a dog gasping for breath. Give the command 'Heel' and step off at a reasonable, purposeful pace, the lead held loosely in the right hand ; pat the left leg encouragingly and give a small jerk to the lead to get the puppy's attention.
Once the puppy has learn t to obey the basic commands, it is a good idea for owner and dog to join a training class, where he can be taught more advanced programs in the company of other dogs and handlers. Training classes are advertised in the local press and at veterinary surgeries; they are generally inexpensive and offer good opportunities for getting the puppy used to canine company, and for the owner to establish friendships with other dog lovers.
The reason for training a dog is simple; he must be taught his place in life and his position in the household. An untrained dog gets into mischief, and the more intelligent, the more mischief he will dream up. Untrained dogs cause road accidents, frighten or bite legitimate callers, chase sheep, trespass on private land and create annoyance in the neighborhood with their constant barking and roaming. At worst they end up being destroyed or discarded as strays. The fault lies not with the dog but with the owner; basically there are no bad dogs, only irresponsible owners.
