Teaching Your Dog To Halt

To get your dog to come to a halt and sit calmly on the left of you will take lots of practice and particular methods. If you want to apply the halt procedure, you will have to follow four different steps.

1. You should take the leash, and move it halfway in the direction of your dog.

2. Then take the leash from your left hand by reaching crossways, and over your body, in order to accomplish this.

3. Then bring the leash to the region of your right hip, similar as to when you will sit.

4. Then take your last step as you bring your right hand into the correct position by putting your right foot in front of the dog and your left foot next to it. When your left foot is in the correct place you should give the "sit" command together with the hand signal for it.

Your dog should also do his part by placing his head at the same level as your left knee while adhering to the "sit' command. If they get this right, make sure that you give them enough praise. Seeing that this is something new learned by your dog, you should give praise, even if they don't do it flawlessly. There is always the chance that you didn't do it without error. You can always place your dog in the correct position with your hand if they didn't listen to the "sit" command.

There are several mistakes to be made such as pulling the leash too tight which can lead to your dog sitting in a twisted manner. If you give the command while you are walking, it will be more difficult to act upon by your dog. When giving the command after you have halted completely, your dog might have enough time to get preoccupied. It is best to give the command as soon as you start to walk - the leash being at your hip and when you give the hand signal.

To apply this method, you will need enough practice - and you will have to start by working on one section at time in order to achieve success. It might be a good idea to first start it without your dog. At first it may feel somewhat odd, but it will help you to get the movements right before teaching your dog. When you feel comfortable with these steps, you can start doing them with the leash. And then you can start doing them with your dog.