Are you ready? It’s time to learn and teach! The following is some expert advice, made simple, for those of us who need step by step instruction on coaching our dog into a U Turn.

How to teach your dog to do a U turn:
Start by walking your dog in an environment that is free of distractions and comfortable for you both.  This can be inside your house, or yard, or wherever you normally train.  Grab a leash and some high value treats and follow these easy steps:

1. Leash your dog.

2. Have your dog heel in a straight line.

3. After 5 to 10 steps, give the “this way” command or the verbal cue you choose, while holding a treat in front of him. As he sniffs the treat hold it in front him as a lure and turn left, going back in the opposite direction (a U turn).

4. After you complete the U turn, walk a few more steps and give him the treat.

5. Practice the steps until your dog begins to whip around as soon as he hears the “this way” command.

Adding some distractions:
After your dog has mastered the U turn command in your home or yard, begin practicing while on walks in the neighborhood or wherever you usually travel.  The new sights and sounds will distract your dog and you may have to practice steps one through five until he masters the command in the new environment.  Be sure to arm yourself with lots of treats and praise and keep practicing until he performs the U turn on cue.

Adding some speed:
Once your dog has the U turn command mastered with distractions, you can begin adding some speed. This will be fun for your dog as well as help keep you from tripping over him should you ever be in a hurry.  To speed things up, simply run a few steps before your dog using the treat as a lure while giving the “this way” command.

Just a reminder, the U Turn is a management tool.  In many cases it can improve a dog’s reactions to things that distract him, but it’s not really the same thing as treatment for aggression issue. For  behavioral problems that a U Turn cannot fix it is always best to get help from a professional obedience trainer.

For further information in “real world training” and other tips for U turn training, including your pooch over reacting to other dogs and people, go to Dog Tube.