Do you feel like the moment you step outside,
step out the door that your dog loses all focus,
or do you feel like taking your young dog for a walk is just entirely too much
work in this video instructor,
Carol's going to work with a shepherd cross named Lucy.
And she's going to give you a few quick tips on how to get way more attention
from your dog. Even when you're outdoors. I'm Ken Steepe.
This is instructor Carol, and that is Lucy. Welcome back to McCann Dogs.
I just finished working with short session with Lucy and she is a
sweetie. Now she's very calm. She's been very focused.
She's not trying to take off and chase squirrels or birds,
but through this video, you're going to see the transformation.
Because when we started out, she had me on a tight leash.
She didn't know I existed. She was so interested in the outdoors.
So you're going to see that transferring transformation over a very short couple
of minutes, but it's important to understand. I can't just do it once.
I need to be consistent and do this multiple times with my dog,
if I want it to pay off. So Lucy's not my dog.
And when we got out here came outside,
she was suddenly pretty interested in everything except me. Now,
if that was my own dog, I wouldn't be too happy.
I would feel that my relationship wasn't strong enough with my dog.
If I step outside and suddenly everything's more interesting than me,
but I mean, by relationship,
it's not just that I care about my dog or they love to play with me.
Their relationship really is. Do they see me as their leader,
someone that protects them, someone that gives them guidance.
Do they want to interact with me? You know,
I would say if I have a great relationship with my dog, when I use their name,
I would want them responding at least 90% of the time.
When I say their name once because they respect me and they want to interact
with me, I would also not expect my dog to say, when we stepped outside,
you no longer exist,
except as a person holding me back from everything I want.
I want to talk quickly about what's called leash awareness,
highly technical term, talking about being aware of the leash,
the dog being aware. So this is a loose leash. There's no tension on that.
It'd be exactly the same. If it was just being dragged on the ground,
just like my long line is going to be. But if the leash is tight,
that's a tight leash, but that is too, the dogs can feel that tension.
And they know that they're, um, that we're controlling them through that.
And if I want to get my dog,
listening to me without having to use that leash,
it's important in my training that I made sure it goes tight.
I'm a fix it, but we're not going anywhere to that leashes loose.
And you're going to watch this next exercise. Watch how,
when she pulls on a leash, I deal with it.
But then go back to a loose leash. You can see,
Lucy's pretty excited about getting over there.
We're about to go through the gate and she's anticipating you ever had that.
You're leaving your house, your dog. Can't wait to go there,
pulling your arm off,
or they're fighting you to get out of that car to get to the park. Well,
we're going to change the game a little bit in order to get where she wants to
go. She's going to have to focus on me.
So my value's going way up because I provide that great area.
Let's see how I work at home. We're pulling.
Oh, I exist. I do. Oh,
good girl.
That's much better. So when she's on a loose leash, I'll rule, I'll praise her.
Yay.
Good girl.
And I don't need to reward with food because she's getting what she wants by
going through there. That's the best reward ever. Yes.
Good girl. What girl?
A little bit of tension. Black And White yes.
Hi girl. Very nice. Yes. See good girl.
Oh, I got ya. One more time. You're almost there.
Yes. Ready? Almost there. That's it.
Good girl. Her up. So we got this far. I got her attention,
her control. Uh, so it's now she's acknowledging me before she gets to go in,
but that's going to be the hard part too.
So we're going to work entering there appropriately first. That's it.
Thanks girly. Yes. Are you with me? Yes.
Go ahead. Yes. Good girl. Good girlie, yes.
And now you know what? That might be time for a little reward. Yes. Good. Girly.
What a good girl. So I've said and sit.
So I'm setting the example of,
and what it's going to look like once we're in that park.
Hey you yay. Yeah. Oh, it's going. Look.
You and I are doing something together. Yes, he is. Good girl.
So does that look like you walking into a park, going through the front door,
letting your dog out of the car for the first time? No. Well,
had I not done that little exercise? I wouldn't look like that. Either. Lucy,
you remember that first scene, Lucy pulling me.
She would've pulled my arm off to get in there.
So why is that first step of the walk? The most important one?
It sets the pace. So number one,
her having to settle and calm to get what she wants,
made her a little more thoughtful and not as out of control and not as
stimulated. So she could think number two,
because she really wanted that me saying you're going, you know,
in my terms, her looking at me before we went in there says,
wow, are you ever valuable to me as a, as an owner or a handler?
Because you provided that for me,
instead of I'm the person holding your back on the tight leash, like everything,
there's always some tools involved.
And I want to talk about the tools I'm to use. Now. Some people say, Oh,
I don't want to train with food,
but I'm going to use every tool available to me to help.
Now I'm not going to stuff food in her mouth, but I am going to use it.
At least the lack of really, to position her,
to make correct behaviors are the ones I want to see and add
value to meet. Now, I want you to think about people go to casinos all the time.
Not because they win every time, but that random or award.
So I've got a few key treats. I'm not going to use them every time. I mean,
you use them sparingly,
but she's never going to know when she hits the jackpot and that little bit of
cheese comes up now. I don't know what Lucy likes in the way of toys,
but that's another great tool that if she likes those can build
value for me because I provide those just like the food.
So I've got a little tug toy. I've got a little clock,
this tucked up behind my back and I've got a ball. So if she likes any of those,
that's going to help keep her focused on me out here.
The other thing I'm going to do is I'm going to put on a slightly larger leash.
Just that little leash is pulling around.
I'm going to make sure her is not too loose.
It's not because if it's really loose or I have a really thin or slippery
leash,
she's able to pull and I can't give her any feedback that I don't want that.
And I'm certainly not going to give her harsh direction. She is a sweet, um,
but I do want her to have feedback that I don't want you to ignore me
or pull. So you're going to see how I use this.
And then probably the most important tool I'm going to use is what's
called a long line. So, um,
and it is essentially that highly technical term. It's just a long line,
which I'm having trouble getting untangled. And it's got a clip on one end,
and this is gonna allow me to give Lucy freedom,
but not allow me to Recurse behaviors.
I hate to see her do so.
I don't want a dog to run away from me and say, you're not important,
especially not as it could be unsafe. She could run.
We're working in a fenced area.
So even if my footwork's not quick enough on this line,
I can be sure that she's going to be safe,
but I'm going to use this line so that if I talk to her,
I can make sure that she can focus on me.
I'm going to make sure she's safe and we're going to show you how that's done.
So we made it through that gate successfully, but,
and she's focused on me at least somewhat,
but I'm not going to give her freedom immediately.
What I'm going to do is interact with her a little bit. So again,
this is about me, not everything else.
So now I mind my toy.
Oh yes. Do you like that too? What do you like that toy? Do you pull? Yes.
Oh, you like it a little bit. Oh, you're good.
You're like, Oh, you like the ball? You like, yeah, you get that. Oh,
you get that thing. You will get that thing.
So we're having a little play now instead of her thinking about everything else
out here, she's thinking about interacting with me. Yeah.
You're tangled up. You're tangled up. Oh yeah.
That's right. He said, Oh, you're good. Yeah. We're going to play.
So now I'm not fighting all the things in the park and the birds and the
squirrels. I am the squirrel. I'm the most exciting, right? Yeah.
Yeah. Good. Girly, good girl. Huh?
No I'm popping.
But my little bit of work now is going to make my life so much
easier. Now I'm ready to give her a little bit of freedom,
but I'm going to have her earn it a little bit. I'm going to let that line,
Greg. I'm going to get my leash.
Where did I do a little walk and I'm going to do some response to need.
And this is where my great treats might come up. Oh. And I will pick up my toy.
Thank you, Lucy. Put that way.
Let me do a little walk, Lucy,
Lucy. Good girl.
So it wasn't a great response. I'm going to praise it,
but I'm not going to feed that one. You got to work hard to get my treats.
Yes, Lucy. Yes. Go ahead, girl.
Yes. Well and narrow. We're going to have a treat. Yeah.
We're going to get a treat. So I, a little bit of cheese or whole,
or you let her know. It is exciting to respond to your name.
Good stuff. Okay.
Where are we going? Lucy? Good girl.
Oh, you're brilliant. You're brilliant. Oh yes. Oh good girl.
And I'm not bribing her. There's no.
Food in my hand. She has to earn it Lucy. Yes. Go ahead, girl.
It doesn't have to be hard. She was looking a little bit. Me.
I just want her to know if you respond to your name, it's going to be wonderful.
Now I'm going to take off her leash now and give her some freedom,
but you know what I'm going to do. I don't want her to think. We, she comes off.
Oh, I get to go free. And everything's fine.
I'm actually going to be all ready to be more exciting than the
park. So I'm going to take that leash off.
I've got some treats and instead of running.
Aw. And he, even if it's.
The first time you're taking your dog out. Um, and there's.
So you don't by everything. How great treats it'll be good.
So the long line still.
So she's still C or you a good girl. Sit. Yay.
Okay. Girly. Ready down.
Good. And if your dog doesn't know, there's commands.
Just use a little bit food. With me. Yay. Oh, you're so smart. See?
Yay. Good work. Oh, good. Girly. Oh, you're so smart.
There it is. There's that little piece. Good girl.
And what was she still interested when they got the ball? Like at the ball?
Also fun happens. Fun happens. As soon as the leash comes off with me.
Yes. I'm finished. Thank you. Yes.
Good girl. Yes. Okay. We're done interacting.
So you're just going to have to go run around and be a dog. Yeah.
You gotta just go around so you can see she's choosing to hang with me.
Even though I've given her the freedom you are on girly,
you can go look around. Yeah.
So you can see she's hanging around clothes just because I provided all that
value. Instead of having her pulling,
take off the leash and she's totally focused on everything else.
And I'm just going to hang clothes. Notice I'm keeping the line on the ground.
If I pick it up and I'm holding it,
she figures out that I'm controlling her with these lines.
Just like the wheat. But if it's on the ground and I can just step on it,
if I need to, it's like a magic force field. So she'll learn.
There's a certain perimeter. She needs to stay around me.
And while she's on that long line, I'm going to continue to offer her some tips.
Yes. Go ahead girl. So you can see them.
Leash came off and instead of her running off, if she'd done,
if she was pulling on that leash and you've probably seen your dog, do they,
you know, if they get loose, they're gone. Instead. She's choosing to hang in,
close to me. She says, you're suddenly more interesting.
Now that's not going to last forever. For sure.
She's going to see something interesting. Now I'm letting this long line drag.
And if I picked it up, she's going to know that I'm controlling her. You know,
same as a leash. But if it just drags on the ground,
it's a little bit of a magic force field. And you're going to see how I use it.
I'm going to offer a little challenge as well. She's off Lucy.
Good girl. What? I'll go ahead, girl. And again,
that's where my little bit of food's going to come in.
Especially early on in my walk. I am just setting in her mind,
responding to your name and get you something great. And then go play.
So I'm giving her permission to go hang out via dog.
What a good girl. If at any time she saw a squirrel or was headed for the road,
I can just step on that line. Lucy. You're so smart.
You are. What at you? Oh, are you ready? Do you want that ball? You don't know.
You don't worry about
it. Yeah. You like it. If I'm running even better.
Yes, girl. Hey, you go be a dog.
We can see she's choosing me.
Even though I'm not carrying a Mitt full of food or bribing her.
I'm telling her to have freedom. I'm letting her sniff ran.
She's getting some exercise. Yeah.
If she didn't respond. So first let's say she sees a squirrel.
She sees another loose dog. All I'm going to do. Haha. You're a good girl.
You wouldn't do that. Which I bet you would. If you saw a squirrel,
all I would do is step on that line. So she can't be successful.
Now notice that she's getting to the end of that line.
I've been calling her name. So I always have the ability to step on that.
Stop her. The other thing is what if she doesn't respond to her name?
So if that happened,
maybe if we go over to that tree who got me excited instead of going to snip,
I'm gonna check that out. So yeah, if she didn't respond to her name,
um, so five said, we'll see, Oh you're silly. Yes.
So if she didn't go shit so I can feel this. So I'm not going to sit.
I just going to step on that line and I got to walk up the wall and
then I can repeat her name. Good girl.
I know food for that one, but I'm certainly get a praise.
Her responding is wonderful, but you know what?
I'm just going to clip that leash back on.
So she's losing a little bit of freedom just for a couple of minutes.
So she's going to learn when you respond to your name, great things happen.
Food toys, play interaction, and you get to be free right away again.
But this time, thank you. You're going to do a little walk with me. Yes you are.
And then in another minute or so I can Lucy! Yahoo, good girlie.
Currently what? A good girl. Yes, you are a brilliant. Good stuff.
Yes, girl.
You are so smart. Yes. Good girl.
Oh my gosh. I had trouble getting it off. Go break.
Here you go. We'll be a dog
she could see early on. She wanted no part of me. She was pulling on that leash.
Everything is exciting. Now she's tending to getting reasonably close.
I'm getting attention. And if I call her name, Lucy,
good girly. You're so smart. Oh, you're so smart. Oh yeah.
One thing I haven't mentioned because I'm busy focusing on Lucy,
but a very important thing with the dog is she's checking in,
looking at me okays quite a bit, a lot more than the very beginning. Right?
So when she checks in of her own volition,
when she decides she's going to look at me, I want to capture those moments.
I'm going to say yes to pinpoint. That's a fantastic thing.
And then I'm going to reward with food. So yes.
Yay. And all of that.
More of that now I don't care if she jumps up front up here.
Yay. I don't mind her jumping up trying to build a relationship.
And if I'm allowing her to, that's a fine thing. And then I can tell her.
And help her off. Good girl. Good girl.
And then I'm going to put away the food and I'm going to tell her, go be a dog,
be a dog. And I'll wait until she checks in again. Yes. Good girl.
You are brilliant. Ok go be a dog
and it doesn't always, YES! It could be some play. It could be some play.
You're so brilliant. Or if your dog likes toys,
he could be pulling out a toy to anything,
to let them know paying attention to me.
What I changed from the beginning. Huh? When you didn't even acknowledge,
I existed pulling me. Yeah, you're a good girl. Okay.
You go be a dog.
You have problem to have your dog piece too much attention to you on a walk.
Whether you have a young dog or an older dog, you can still do this.
Now first, go back, assess your relationship. Say,
do I have all the foundation I need?
If you think you need more click on this video for a few foundational
exercises, getting your dog working outside. And on that note, I'm Carol.
This is Lucy Happy Training.