"Back" Exercise

Teaching your dog to Back-Up

 

Whether you want a new trick in your dog’s repertoire or whether you need the command for Rally or Heelwork to Music, teaching your dog to “Back” can be useful and fun.    Of course most dogs know “back” from when they stand in front of the door and you are trying to get past them but to get a dog to take a number of steps backwards (either in a straight line or back around a person or object) takes a bit more effort.  (My focus is for Rally so this is based on backing up in a straight line in the heel position.  To teach them to back around you or an object would have the same basics but then would need to be taught differently).  When I started trying to teach this to Rafe he would take one step backwards and then either turn around or just sit.  But on talking to owners of other breeds – particularly German Shepherds – they have told me that their dogs will naturally back up quite easily.

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Like all exercises, you shouldn’t try to go too far too fast.  Aim for one step backwards, then two etc etc.   Don’t immediately try to teach your dog to take 5 steps backwards because it’s unlikely to happen.  It's an exercise that doing a little bit every day will help - don't try it one day and then leave for a week to try again.  Repetition plus positive reinforcement will be a big help with this one.  

When I started with Rafe I found a narrow aisle way between two pieces of furniture so that he didn’t have room to turn around.   I stood in front of him and walked into him pushing him backwards.  He is very food motivated so I held a treat in front of him but down low – in towards his chest - so that he had to put his head down to get it – head down means bottom up so he couldn’t sit as easily.  Give the verbal “Back” and get them to take a step or two backwards but stop before they sit or turn around.

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Once they start learning what this new command means, get them up against something solid like a wall or garden and walk backwards beside them.  Again - start with just a step or two and then praise - very gradually building it up.

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Another way (if you dog doesn't mind you straddling them) is to stand over them with your knees in front of their shoulders so they can't come forward - they have to move backwards.  Give the command "Back" and praise when they back up.   Once they will back up a step or two, try backing up with them with the dog walking backwards between your legs.  

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This isn't a simple "have-it-done-in-one-day" kind of exercise.  It could lead to frustration at lack of progress so if this happens stop the session and either go onto an exercise that your dog can do or give them a cuddle and go have a game.  Getting upset at yourself or your dog during training is only going to make your dog dislike training.

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