Do you know what is better than having a solid recall? A dog that follows you without having to say a word. All puppies have a natural instinct to follow their owner and you can reinforce this behavior with a simple exercise. Following is not only an important skill but is also a fun activity for your puppy! You can start teaching this command before your puppy is four months old, but it’s never too late to be taught. With time and practice, your dog can learn to follow you, whether in the neighborhood, park or trail.
Supply list
- A collar or harness (we would suggest a non slip martingale)
- A 50 ft long line (or long leash)
- Your puppies favorite treats or kibble.
- Treat pouch
Safety
Please be aware of any roads, vehicles, or other potential dangers your puppy could reach when using a 50-foot leash. You can also use a shorter 10-foot leash for your puppy.
Tampa Bay has many outdoor parks that are ideal for teaching your puppy the follow command, such as Al Lopez Park and Curtis Hixon Park. For those new to Tampa Bay, there is always a chance of rain showers and high humidity during the summer months. We recommend training in shaded areas, keeping training sessions brief, and bringing a portable water bowl for your puppy.
Make the follow game fun
Give your puppy praise and treats when teaching the follow command. After all, you want to encourage them and instill a life-long love for learning. Attach a long leash to your puppy, then begin walking away from them. Give your puppy lots of praise when they follow you. When they reach your feet, reward your puppy with a treat, and then turn and walk in the opposite direction. Repeat in different directions as your puppy continues to follow you. If they get to the end of the long line without following, call their name or give a light tug on the leash.
Tip: Have a little party when your puppy reaches you – play, run, dance with them. Then when they are again distracted, walk away in the opposite direction.
We’re here to help
Do you have any training questions or concerns about raising a puppy, you can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. We provide personalized obedience and manners training for puppies that are privately taught at your home and local neighborhood.
If you live outside the Tampa Bay area or prefer virtual training, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling Savage offers virtual consultations to design personalized training plans that provides step-by-step guidance to help you achieve your training goals.
