Teaching your dog how to walk backwards isn’t just a very cool trick to demonstrate to your buddies, but it also comes in very handy if you are ever in an unexpected tight spot and want your dog to go back out of the way. Not only does it work different muscle groups and improves coordination which will improve your dog’s overall physical health, but it also works with other dog training tricks to develop trust, communication and respect for others. Here are some dog training tips on how to teach your dog to walk backwards.
To begin with, you should do everything you can to break down any barriers that might be putting your dog off balance. A lot of this comes from being used to the things around you. For example, you live in an apartment or a condo and your dog has a hard time adjusting to the fact that there is no yard or designated area that they can use as a bathroom. You can help them by making sure to always feed them at their food bowl or using a crate whenever possible. Also, if you have a fenced in yard and have a dog that likes to dig holes, you may want to take them to the garden area instead of directly going into your yard. Think about where they have access to the most natural resources first, and then begin working toward breaking down those barriers.
To begin with, you need to begin by finding several different types of treats and putting them in your dog’s mouth. Keep in mind that your dog will instinctively want to try to chase the treat as it approaches, so you want to set up your dog in the open and let them get as close as possible to the treat you’ve placed in their mouth. Once they have sniffed it and assumed it to be food, then you simply grab your dog by the scruff and pull him forward. You should hold them there until the dog pulls his own weight against you, at which time you yank the dog back.
Another trick may take place on the carpet in your home. First, you need to teach your dog how to turn its head without turning its back on you. This is achieved through holding your dog with a one-arm grip and lifting his back against your leg. Then, simply move his head and shoulders in a circular motion until he is facing you and then lift up his chin and move in the same motion. Do this several times and your dog will soon learn that when you turn your head, his eyes follow.
Another simple trick can be taught by setting up a barrier between you and your dog. By having a high structure, such as a fence, that separates you from your dog, he will learn that when you approach, you present something that he must avoid. An example would be to have a leash around your dog’s waist that is secured with a padlock, so that when you approach it, you would present something that he must not touch, such as a treat or a toy.
In teaching this new trick, use a tug of war game as well. Have your dog on a leash and call him over to you. Show him the treat and make him stand still, then release the treat and let him smell it. If he goes into action, give him his treat and praise him. If he tries to steal it, simply ignore him until he loses the treat and then praise him.
A dog that finds his dinner lying on the floor may often find himself looking for more, so try calling him over to you and offering him his treat. When he starts looking for it, point to a part of the floor where he can find it. Let him sniff the spot and then walk away while you call him over. As soon as he gets back to you, give him his treat. Repeat this several times, until he learns that if he runs towards the spot where you placed his food, he gets rewarded with a treat.
While these are good dog training methods, they must be taught repeatedly and come along with lots of love and affection. It is not enough to work with only one method at a time. For best results, try to combine several methods, working them into a well-balanced, affectionate and positive dog training regime. By doing so, you will have a well-behaved dog that enjoys being around you and the company of others.