Anyone know how to train a dog directional commands?

Question

I was walking my dog at a park the other day and this guy comes down the path with his retriever on a really long lead. I didn't think he could keep control of the dog on such a long lead, but once I got closer I could hear the guy giving the dog commands on which direction to go, "left, right, stop, stay, " and the dog was obeying perfectly. How can I train my dog such commands? He's already mastered stop, stay, and heel, but how do I teach him to go left or right? Do I just pull him in the direction I want him to go?

Answer 1

Yes  and you go in that direction.

That's how hunting dogs are taught to windshield wipe a field.

Actually you can just say one word, give the 20 foot cord a tug , and go off in that direction.

An old field is best to practise in.

I say "Yo!"   and the dog changes direction, in the direction I am moving.

It's very good for teaching your dog to keep an eye on you too.

Answer 2

We teach directions for the show ring and field work.  We use Gee and Haw for right and left respectively just to avoid confusion for our dogs when others are also giving commands to their dogs.

Simply start with the dog in heel position and as your turn give the command you want the dog to respond to - so you turn to your left you would say left and guide the dog to the left.  We then stop, praise and give a treat because we want the dog to learn the cue for turning and don't want them confused that some other thing we do after is the desired behaviour.  I do two or 3 turns in one direction then take a break and toss a tennis ball for them.  We work on only one direction at a time (starting with left as that is what I need in the show ring for our turns) and once that is 100% reliable we move onto right.

We find it better to guide using our free hand (right when the dog is in heel) to guide the dog by just placing an open palm against his muzzle and gently turn the head the way we need it to go.  Pulling the dog can tend to cause them to resist depending on the individual temperament.

Answer 3

keep in mind  dogs don't understand  language but tone, body language and praise they do understand.. Left  Left  left  ARRGGHH stupid .. No  however  with practice time and love they can begin  to understand what you want Left..., This way....    Good  Puppy  they can begin to understand  My dog was a stray and would never "come" in a million years, But  if I ever said  see ya  she is right there at a heel position... its like  do dogs understand  German?  french?  spanish,  italian  the answer is not fluently, but they understand what they're owners are saying and doing right?

Choose your words and phrases carefully and  practice when out walking   sit and stay might be important at a traffic intersection when you meet  a bicycle and a blind man with a cane and you might have to hold off  moving because the bike and the dog dont mix and may trip or injure  the blind man.. working on left  ad right is just something you need to do, at first, dont yank the dog, but  move as if you  were going left if the dog  doesnt get it , say Left,  and this way  or comeon good girl or boy.... I taught my girl totally off leash  when she messed up, I would say SEE ya , and she would correct herself..lol then it got so I could say Left or Right at a fork in the trail and she'd  go where i told her.  of course  if there is a skunk up ahead on the trail, GOOD luck... lol  I have been able in that very situation to call her back without getting a surprise ( in fact I have witnesed herhaving 8 ior 9 encounters  with skunks.. without getting sprayed in factshe had a lil buddy for a few months that would follow us around one particular meadow baby skunk just wanted a freind,..lol just remember  to stay consistant....