Katharina Buczek
Next, you should incorporate some pacing cues into your dog’s repertoire. Remember that hiking on a trail, which can be steep, rocky, or filled with other obstacles, is much different than sauntering down your neighborhood street.
This is where pacing cues come in handy. Certain words like “easy” or “wait” can let your pup know that they need to slow down.
On the flip side, a cue such as “let’s go” can instruct your pet to pick up speed. As you practice these cues, don’t forget to reward good behavior!
Other helpful cues relate to managing your dog’s focus. For instance, teaching your dog to respond to “watch me” will get them to make eye contact with you. This can allow you to control where your dog is looking and come in handy in the event of a distraction.
If another dog or even a wild animal, like a skunk, shows up on your hiking trail, you will be able to redirect your dog’s attention and lessen the chance of them rushing toward the distraction.
You can start incorporating this skill slowly, telling your dog to look at you when it is quiet and no other diversions are present.
Then, add in other distractions, like a person walking by. Your dog will realize that looking at you and earning a reward is more worthwhile than paying attention to anything else.
Last but not least, perfecting safety cues is critical for protecting the well-being of your pup. You may encounter dangerous plants, animal waste, or litter left behind by other hikers. All of these hazards could potentially make your dog sick if consumed.
The cue “leave it” is great for these situations, firmly communicating to your dog that they cannot eat or play with something.
The best way to master this cue is by giving your pet a reward that’s more enticing than whatever they were asked to leave alone.
Now, even if well-trained with this, dogs can still sometimes get into things that they aren’t supposed to. This is where another cue, “drop it,” will come in handy.
