As dog owners, we all want what is best for our four-legged friends – and if that means a rigorous training regime, then so be it.
Coming to the aid of you and your pet is Cainark Dog Training, whose head trainer and behaviourist, Steve Griffiths, has shared advice on the three things everyone with a canine companion should have on hand. “We asked Steve what tools he’s using for dog training – from essentials to game-changers, here’s what’s in his kit,” his colleague said in a TikTok caption.
Steve began in a video: “I use food, I use treats – I generally use their food, not treats, so a treat pouch is always really handy.” He also stressed the importance of using a good quality lead for walks.
He elaboated: “I always use a long line or a retractable [one] for when I am trying to do my recall and give him a bit of space, but I don’t want to let him off.”
Steve sumamrised: “So I’ll carry with me food, a walking lead and I’ll also carry some tool to give them a bit of space, but don’t let them fail.”
Steve has also seen a TikTok clip on the subject of leads go viral – one that has amassed 1.8million views. In it, he explains how to stop your dog pulling the lead.
“What people do is when they go down the road, they pull the lead and say, ‘heel’,” he explained. However, Steve pointed out that to the dog, the word, ‘heel’ is simply interpreted as the lead-pulling action.
To combat this Steve continued: “So if we are going to start working him into a heel position, lead with the opposite hand – treat pouch to the other side – and then we start labelling this as ‘heel’. And every time he takes it [the treat/food], ‘heel’ is now becoming a position.”
“This will take some effort, but you can do it!” Steve added in a caption. “Over time, ‘heel’ becomes a recognisable position that your dog understands. This will result in no more lead-pulling!”
Writing in response, one dog owner asked: “Great, but how do I do that with my dig who is not interested in treats when we are out?”
“Take it back a step,” Steve said. “Start hand feeding again, create the engagement on you. You can use treats, toys of their food for this. Then work it outside.”
Whilst a second praised the advice: “I’ve just tried this and I’d just like to say thank you. This is the first time shes not really pulled at all and i tried just giving her a treat every four five heels, the rest are empty.”
