Dog Training: Teaching the Dog to Walk Backwards

Can your dog walk backwards? Can it step to the right to be in heel position? Can it move to the left to avoid you bumping into it? Can the dog walk through your legs as you are moving forward? - Yes, there is a reason for all this.

Dogs can become bored. And a bored dog will create its own entertainment. Sometimes, this self created entertainment takes the form of destructive chewing, which can be costly in terms of material damage and possible harm to the dog’s health. Incessant barking is another example.

At one time, dogs were workers - and bred for a specific function. That is most apparent in some of the most active breeds. For example, border collies are ‘hardwired’ to herd. They will search for things to herd. If you do not have sheep or cattle at home or apartment, a border collie will look to herd kids at the local park, to herd you when you move about the home, to herd any neighbors that may be visiting … it is a strong instinctive drive. Those with retrievers will attest to how strong that drive to fetch and return things is. Throwing a tennis ball for a retriever will provide hours and hours of entertainment and exercise for the retrieving dog.

Too often, though, after a puppy learns the basic house rules, it is retired. The highlights of the dog’s day are its daily meal, being allowed out for its bodily functions and a short walk. This may translate to early retirement for the dog. It really has nothing to do. And, much like human retirement, this lack of purposive behaviour may lead to negative consequences. Simply, the dog is bored and this has implications on its physical and emotional well being. So it is a valid question to ask - ‘what does the dog do for you?’. And, the extension of this question is ‘what does the dog do for its own sense of having a purpose?’.

Further, it may surprise you what the dog is capable of doing. - So, here is simply how to teach the dog to walk backwards. Place the dog in heel position between you and a wall; hold a piece of food in plain view but slightly above and behind the tip of its nose; take a step back with your left foot and say “back” (or a word that you select to mean ‘move backwards’). When the dog moves backwards one step, praise lavishly and give the treat. It’s the first step!

Pairing the food with the command, show the dog how it can earn its treat. You will be surprised at how attentive the dog is to you. This sort of activity stirs its brain cells and is great insurance in preventing destructive behaviour. Besides, it’s fun for both you and the dog.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

Tags: dogs, training, purpose, destructive behaviour, boredom