HEELING WITHOUT THE LEASH
Make no attempt to heel the dog off the leash until he is letter-perfect on the leash. If he still makes errors walking on the leash, whether heeling or turning, eliminate them before proceeding to off-the-leash training.
The first step in the off-leash training is to suggest to the dog that he is not being restrained, except when he makes a mistake. You do this by exerting no hold or strain on the leash (although you should be ready to make a quick correction). Give the dog a warm-up of the lessons he knows, then order him into the sit-stay position. Attach the leash to the slipchain and stick the end of the leash into your pocket or drape it over your shoulder. This will take the pressure off the leash. In a sense, this is similar to the dual controls of a trainer airplane. The novice holds onto one control stick, the instructor has the other. But the instructor has a light grasp on the controls, allowing the novice to fly the plane. He's ready to take over at the first error or sign of danger. So it is with you and the pup; he's really walking unrestrained, but you are ready to take over when necessary.
With the leash dangling from your pocket or shoulder, give the command to heel and step out briskly. At the first sign of hesitation or mistake, immediately correct the dog. Either give him a jerk with the leash or reach down, hook your finger into the ring of his slipchain and yank it. Praise him and start over.
When the dog is responding well to this dual-control lesson, you are ready to put him on his own. Make him sit-stay and unsnap the leash. Give the command to heel and step forward. Put him through his paces: walking, running, turning and stopping in the correct position. Correct any error or omission, either by hooking your finger in the slip-chain ring or stopping him and giving him a voice reprimand. If he runs ahead of you (now that he's discovered he's off the leash), call him back and begin over again. If you want to reprimand him, go to him, tell him "No!" and repeat the lesson. Be lavish with the praise.
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