You'll find a lot of the things I'm saying in any book on how to train dogs. The one thing it doesn't tell you is why does the dog need to know? Have you ever seen someone chase their dog because the dog won't come on command? Have you ever seen someone being walked by their dog? I mean the dog drags his owner around on the end of a leash, and the person on the end of the leash keeps going faster, and faster trying to keep up with the dog. There is a reason for this. The person on the end of the leash has not got his dog's attention. If you do not have his attention you can't teach him.

Let's start with leash work. First of all your dog will need a good collar. I do recommend a choke chain be used. When do you start leash training? I would say at three to four months of age. When the dog has gotten used to being called by his name and responds to it, he has by this time established his place in the pack. Look at it like this, he has gotten to the point he is at because you put him there good, bad or indifferent. In a pack each member has a role to play, and that is to follow the leader. If he messes up, the leader will put him in his place, and you can bet it won't be nice.

This is the same kind of approach you have to use. When it's time to begin training, lock your dog up somewhere so he is alone. Leave him like this for a couple of hours. While the dog is confined get your leash out and think of a spot where you can take the dog where you have no distractions and no one around. After the time is up, go to your dog, do not say anything to him, I mean not one word. Pick him up, carry him to your car, and drive to the spot of your choosing. I should have mentioned the length of the leash should be at least 15 to 18 feet long, (1/4" poly rope works great) you'll soon see why. I can't emphasize this enough, DO NOT SPEAK TO THE DOG. Once you get to your spot take the dog out of the car, hook the leash to his collar and set him down.

Just walk away. If the pup tries to run in another direction start running the other way and just before you get to the end of the rope give a good pull. Even if you pull the dog off his feet keep going, do not talk to the dog. Now he is confused. Change your direction again. The dog will still be trying to go in a different direction. Follow the first step again. Change your direction, and let him know this time that he should be following you. Do not talk to the dog. You want the dog to watch you, and be aware of your movement. Whenever he is not paying attention change your direction, and when you get to the end of the rope give him a yank. Try to knock him off his feet this time. He'll scream, and whine. He'll think your trying to kill him. He'll pull backwards trying to get away from the rope. Change direction, and give him another pull . The reason I said earlier, to be alone somewhere, is because if someone hears your dog they'll think you're hurting him, and that is not your intent.

You'll soon find the dog is paying attention to you. He'll look at you because he is not sure where you are going next, and he sure doesn't want another yank from that rope. Now you have his attention. Please refrain from talking to the dog. Do not say "come here", or "heel", or anything, just keep walking. Try to get the dog to be as close to you as you can. Do not give the dog a warning before you correct him just do it. Soon you'll see just how badly he wants to be near you. He soon understands it's much more pleasant being close to you than being away from you. You will think he's got it, and then he bolts. Correct him again. He must learn he is safe when he walks beside you, and it's uncomfortable when he tries to run away. Make sense or not?

Look at it like this: if you think you are being too rough, remember the way of the pack. Once your dog has the hang of staying close to you, now you can tell him he is a good dog. This registers, and again he knows his spot. He has learned a very important lesson. Once again you are the boss and it's better for him to pay attention to you instead of trying to lead you. You must complete the exercise. You can't stop before the dog has learned to be beside you. If you do, he'll learn the mistake and you don't want that, right. Believe me, if you follow this example the dog won't forget his lesson, and you should have learned something as well, try to think like the dog.

Am I sounding like a very cruel type of person? Well I'm not. I understand the order and I want my dog to understand the order as well. I personally do not believe what I'm telling you is cruel. It is not. It is just how it is in the dog's world. Try to remember what I said earlier, the dog doesn't understand English he does understand action. You are the teacher, and he is the student and he must be taught in a manner he understands. It works to think like the dog.

Once you have the dog's attention and respect it is not difficult to teach your dog whatever you want, within reason. You can't expect too much at first. Patience and time get results. Remember, you cannot get a German Shepherd to point at birds in the field, just like you can't get a bird dog to attack on command. That's their genetic make-up not instinct. You have to remember the difference between the two. The dog's breeding is what makes him do what he does. If you don't want your dog herding the neighborhood children, don't get a herding dog. If you don't want people being eaten when they come to the door, don't get a protection dog. Know what type of dog you want, and then you can get it to do the things you expect from it.
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