This Dog Training Game Could Save Your Dog’s Life

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This Dog Training Game Could Save Your Dog’s Life

Written by Lorrie Reynolds

Lorrie has been an agility enthusiast since 2002 and has taught tricks, family obedience, agility, and canine conditioning since 2005. When she's not writing articles, developing courses, or training dogs, you can find her curled up with a book in her hands and a dog warming her feet.

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A Message From a Dog Training Student

My dog can be a brat when it comes to leashing up! (ONE of the many reasons she’s NEVER EVER off-leash). Normally its a 5 minute game to get her leash/collar/harness on her unless I leash her out of her crate! Well I wanted to see what would happen, so I started playing the leash up game with my other dog (NOT my problem child)…He caught on extremely quickly, but always does when food is involved! But then “Trouble” saw him getting treats and wanted to play too!

Now keep in mind I only did this in one training session early this week.

Loose Dog!

Well, last night we took the pups to our local Cabela’s for doggy photo with Santa. Pups did great! But in the parking lot, “Trouble” shook, and her leash came off! Here we are, standing in the middle of the parking lot, 500 yards from interstate 70! I immediately started to panic! I said “Trouble, leash up.” She walked right up to the leash and stood there!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me give you context by saying this is the same dog, who 3 years ago had the same thing happen, in the same parking lot…And she BOLTED! She was only stopped because a bird in a bush caught her attention, and her harness got caught on a branch! (Last night she didn’t have her harness on!) This was a lifesaving game! I will continue to play it…even just a couple of times a week for a minute!

THANK YOU!

Our Follow-On Conversation

I continued the conversation with her and learned that she has always been frustrated by not being able to put a leash on the dog, and it caused her a lot of stress. She was overjoyed that she found something that worked, and eternally grateful that this simple game may have saved her dog’s life.

If you’ve ever had difficulty leashing your dog after an agility run, when getting ready for a walk, or in any other situation, this game is a super-fun and rewarding way to solve the problem.