We all want to keep our dog safe, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. If you’ve ever left your pup off-leash in a playpen only to have him scurry down a busy road, then you know full well that feeling of panic that something might happen to him.
While having a bag of the best dog treats in your pocket can certainly come in handy when it comes to getting your canine companion to come back when called, not all dogs will respond to this when their attention has been captured. elsewhere.
In a potentially dangerous situation, it is important that your dog is able to immediately follow your commands in order to protect him from danger. Knowing that you have full control when you need it will also give you great peace of mind.
According to expert trainer Amelia Steele, one of the most important commands you can teach your dog is an emergency stop. Check out her Instagram video below where she highlights this using an actual training example, or keep reading for a summary of the key points.
When it comes to teaching the emergency stop command, Steele’s video shows it couldn’t be easier.
“Start by walking away from your dog and while he’s following you, be nice and clearly say stop,” Steele explains, holding her arm out in front of her and facing her palm toward the dog in a stop position.
“As soon as they stop, whether they’re standing, sitting, or lying down, mark yes and give them a treat. Slowly add duration by asking them to wait longer and add distance by walking away slightly each time.”
When training the emergency stop command, Steele says it’s important to make sure you only tick yes when you get back to them. “Or, if it’s easier for you, you can score yes and then offer them the treat as a reward,” she suggests.
As with training any new skill, you’ll want to keep practicing the emergency stop command with your dog to make sure he’s really confident in understanding what’s expected of him.
“You’ll probably want to practice it three or four times for every time you actually need it,” advises Steele.
If you find that your canine companion is struggling with the emergency stop command, we recommend hiring a professional dog trainer who can offer you and your pup 1:1 support.
For more great workout tips, check out our guide to how to train a dog in a crate.