How to teach a dog the command "Nearby!"

Why train a dog to command "Nearby!"

The command "Nearby!" is designed to ensure the convenience of moving with a dog on the street. A pet should accompany you on the road when you go on business or get to the playground where you want to play with him. An untrained dog will not understand that if you have turned, it cannot move in the same direction. The skill of walking side by side will help you manage your pet in a dangerous situation, avoid dating suspicious relatives. Training will improve mutual understanding and will be useful for both the dog and its owner.

Knowledge of the command "Nearby!" will be useful in the following cases:

• when changing the pace of walking, when you need to speed up or slow down, as well as before starting or stopping;
• in order for the pet to orient itself in time and adjust to you during the turn in the other direction;
• for safe movement in a crowd of people or on a highway with active traffic;
• if the dog will be used as a service dog, take a course of Educational training or pass the IPO-1 standard;
• when your plans include participation in exhibitions, contests and other public events.

This is not a complete list of situations when you will be glad that you have trained a dog to the command "Nearby!". In addition, the ability to walk next to the owner will form the basis for further training. It will be easier for the dog to master a group of adjacent commands, implying its movement and being in a given place relative to the trainer, for example, "Stand!" or "Aport!".

Command Execution Requirements

The rules for executing the command "Nearby!" depend on whether it will be applied in everyday life, or a regulatory option for exhibition and service dogs will be required.

After hearing the command "Next!", the dog should stand near the left leg of the person, at a distance equal to the width of the croup. The dog's shoulder blades should be at the level of the owner's knee. Thus, the pet will walk side by side without getting in the way.

The normative version of the command "Nearby!" has stricter requirements and is as follows:

• the dog bypasses the person who gave the command clockwise from behind and sits down at his left foot;
• while walking, the pet is always at the trainer's left foot. The shoulders of the animal should be located parallel to the human knee. The distance between the dog and the leg is minimal. At first, the gap can reach up to 50 cm, but later it is reduced. The dog should practically "stick" to the trainer;
• the animal's head is set straight. If the pet lifts it slightly to have the trainer's face in sight, it will not be a mistake. A harness is used to work out the correct positioning of the head;
• when a person stops, a four-legged friend should sit down without a special command or gesture;
• performing the command "Nearby!" the dog is forbidden to change the pose without special instructions;
• if the trainer turns around on his axis, the dog must also turn around and sit down again. During the turn, the pet bypasses the trainer from behind.

The main goal of the "Near!" team is to be sure that you control your pet walking next to you on a leash or without it. If you do not plan to participate with your dog in exhibitions or pass standards, it is not necessary to require her to perform 100% of the team according to the regulations.

Note: for household use, train your dog to command "Nearby!" in such a way that it is convenient for both of you. For example, if you are left-handed, you can place the dog on your right side.

How to teach a dog the command "Nearby!" on a leash

It is necessary to start working out the command "Nearby!" after the puppy has learned to walk on a leash and recognized the authority of the owner. The first classes should take place in a calm, familiar place, without noisy companies of people rushing past cars and other distracting objects.

Pick up the leash and start moving forward with the dog. Command "Nearby!" and pull the leash so that the pet takes the right position near you. In this way, go through a few steps, and then loosen the tension. If a pet will walk next to you and on a loose leash, praise him. Words of admiration and approval will be enough, because after seeing the treat, the dog can forget about everything and stop. If the dog goes to the side, then repeat the command "Next!" and pull him to you with a leash.

The dog will quickly remember the feeling of discomfort associated with the jerk of the leash, while the movement next to your leg will be the salvation from it. It is necessary that the jerk be tangible, but not painful for the pet, otherwise he may experience depression or aggression.

The first stage of training can be considered completed if the pet moves in parallel with you at the command, even if it is only a few steps.

Important: give the command "Nearby!" in a calm and confident voice, without shouting or anger. Make sure that the tension of the leash is gradual, without sudden jerks, commensurate with the dimensions of the dog.

Teach your dog to walk side by side in a straight trajectory, at the same speed. When the pet gets used to it a little, loosen the leash, take 1 step to the side and tell him "Walk!". When you have already let your pet go for a walk, you can treat him with a piece of something delicious. But just do not finish the exercise and do not encourage the dog if she does not follow the command "Nearby!", pulls the leash, tries to run away before you are allowed to walk.

The next step in teaching the dog to the team will be walking side by side on a sagging leash. With a high probability, the animal will feel a weakening of control and violate the command, then you will have to pull the leash, thereby correcting its behavior. Do not forget to always command "Nearby!" before making a jerk of the leash.

Having fixed the skill of moving in a straight line on a free leash, train the dog to command "Nearby!" with a change of direction and pace of walking. To do this, give the command, walk a couple of steps forward with your pet, and then smoothly change the direction. If the dog turned with you and continued walking alongside, reward her with generous praise. If the fluffy pet has not adjusted to you and has gone to the side, repeat the command, pull him to you with a leash and then praise. The same scheme works for the changing pace of walking. It is important to always seek from the dog the full execution of instructions. "Nearby!" is a command of coercion, not a request. When a verbal order is not enough, pull the leash. As a result, the pet will learn to monitor changes in the speed and direction of your movement. But you need to understand that if you change the conditions too abruptly, the dog will not be able to keep up with you, and it is useless to demand a lightning reaction from her.

How to teach a dog to walk around without a leash

When the dog has reached the age of six months and has learned to execute the command "Nearby!" on a leash, you can begin to teach her to move around next to the owner without a leash.

Use a long leash – from 2-3 meters. Command "Nearby!" and go along with the pet on a loose leash, as at the beginning of training. Gradually increase the distance from which you give the command. If the distance is too large – more than 5 meters – first command the dog "To me!", and only then "Next!". When the pet listens to you, being at a considerable distance, proceed to the next stage of training.

Give the command "Nearby!" at the moment when the dog will walk without a leash. Do not forget to praise the dog for the completed task. If he refuses to walk next to you, go back to practicing the team on a leash, try to start this stage later.

Note: in order for the dog to always execute the command "Nearby!" without a leash, it is necessary to regularly practice this skill on a leash. If you do not cling to the leash and give the command only without it, then the pet will relax and stop obeying literally in a week.

The method of training with the help of treats

Training in the command "Nearby!" by the method of "food guidance" is used for large dogs that do not react to the jerk of the leash, as well as pets that will have to bypass the trainer in accordance with the standard. In order for the motivation of the treat to work, the pet should start training hungry.

The essence of the technique is that the owner, after showing the dog a treat and holding it in the palm of his hand, moves his hand in the direction where the pet should approach. A hungry pet will closely monitor the yummy and follow her, thereby occupying the correct position near the leg of his mentor. We can say that the dog is "aimed at the target."

As a reward for the good execution of the command "Nearby!" periodically give the dog a treat. To begin with, it is enough for the pet to take a place at your foot on command.

The next stage of learning is moving forward. The dog will follow the cherished piece and gradually master walking together with you in a straight line. Try to increase the intervals between delicious rewards. Then you can hone the art of turns, changing the pace of movement and other maneuvers.

Professional trainers usually start teaching the dog the command "Nearby!" by luring food, then proceed to standard classes with a leash. Subsequently, the techniques can be alternated, taking into account the mood of the animal.

Typical mistakes when learning the command "Nearby!"

Check out the analysis of common mistakes that can discourage a dog from following the command "Nearby!".

• It is important to control your own movements and not pull the leash before the command was given.
• Driving a pet on a fully stretched leash is one of the frequent problems of novice trainers. The pet should feel the difference between a jerk and a walk on a leash.
• Watch the intonation with which the command is pronounced. If you say "Nearby!" in an angry or threatening tone, then a furry friend will think that he has committed a crime and perceive the command as punishment.
• Too abrupt and frequent changes in the direction of movement and pace of walking disorient the dog.
• Do not rush to work out the movement nearby without a leash. Act consistently, fixing each stage of training.
• Start learning the command "Nearby!" after you secure the previous one. This applies, first of all, to dogs mastering trick movements. A large amount of information can prevent a pet from selecting one of several new commands, and it will get confused.
• You can't abuse the command. It is not necessary to force the dog to walk near you constantly and give the command as soon as she steps aside a little. If the pet has slightly deviated from the course you have chosen, carefully correct it with a leash.

Of course, there can be a lot more problems with the "Nearby!" command. In addition, some dogs are just distracted and often distracted, which makes learning difficult. In case of difficulties, use the services of a dog handler.

Tips of dog handlers

The dog's ability to master the command "Nearby!" is largely influenced by how concentrated it is. Practice the skill no longer than 10 minutes a day at the initial stage. Subsequently, you can increase the total time of classes, but in any case it should not exceed 20 minutes. It is desirable that each workout lasts 2-3 minutes. Accordingly, it will work out 5-6 times a day.

Study the characteristics of the character and preferences of your dog. Sometimes a more effective solution would be to replace the reward with a treat with a reward in the form of a favorite toy that perfectly attracts the pet's attention.

Before the start of training, the dog should walk up. Start classes from quiet, deserted places, gradually moving to sites with distractions.

For training the command "Nearby!" adult large dogs, the use of a parforce is allowed. A metal collar with curved spikes acts on the principle of a garrote. Choosing a strict collar, you need to take into account the breed, size and type of coat of the dog.

Do not forget to consolidate the acquired skill of the dog to walk side by side. Command your pet "Nearby!" when you get close to the track. During long walks, practice executing commands in various variations: with stops, turns, and speed changes. Regular classes with the dog will be the key to success!