"Next" signal for more orientation from the dog on a walk

Orientation

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As humans, we want the dog to orientate itself to us on the Leash. However, we do not achieve orientation on the Leash if we fill the dog with food. Dogs without tasks look for their own tasks on a walk: they sniff, eat food scraps from the ground, dig, etc. This creates difficulties in leash walking on the one hand and dangers from poisonous baits on the other.

Sticky leash control

Good leash control does not just mean that the Leash must always be slack. A dog on a leash is aware of its environment and has its human in mind. Orientation takes place and attention is focused on the human. So if there is orientation, communication can take place. Your dog is responsive. It makes sense to teach the dog through different rituals when it should orientate itself to you and when "free time" is called for, in which the dog can pursue its hobbies. With the help of structures and communication, you will no longer have to stop at every corner and every 20 cm so that your dog has to inspect neighbouring dog markings carefully.

Poison bait Danger

Every dog person knows the fear of poisoned bait on the walking route. There are always poison bait warnings via social media or APPs. @petsdeli had appealed to the German Federal Ministry of Justice with their campaign #meintieristkeinesache that perpetrators of poisoned bait are subject to stricter penalties. here is the link to the petition.

Poison baits are avoidable treats for dogs, such as meat with either razor blades or actual poison. Very perfidiously, even dead pigeons, rabbits or hares are used as poison baits. They can occur anywhere: in parks, forests, dog exercise areas, etc. Not only dogs are the target of poison baits, but also wild boars, foxes or other animals. There are some apps with a poison bait radar especially for dog people.

What to do in case of suspected poison bait danger?

If you suspect a poisoned bait while walking your dog, it is important that you inform the police and secure the poisoned bait so that no other animal can get hold of it.

Checklist
Bag up poisoned bait (e.g. with the poo bag)

✔ Present the find to the police and file a criminal complaint so that something changes in the long term (as it is a criminal offence or

offence, the police must react)

✔ Report poison bait danger (e.g. via APP or social media)

If your dog has eaten a suspected poisoned bait, you should consult a vet immediately so that no time is wasted.

Typical symptoms

Vomiting,
Severe (bloody) diarrhoea,
Blood in the throat or vomit,
Symptoms of paralysis,
Cramps,
Salivation,
Trembling,
Circulatory problems.

Better orientation

Continue" signal

If your dog is in your immediate vicinity, a simple signal can help to maintain orientation towards you. The "Next" is a very useful signal in everyday life and can be used in many different situations, e.g:

If the dog is dawdling or sniffing.
After a pause to signal to the dog that it's time to move on.
If the dog sniffs faeces, leftover food, dirt or other unpleasant things.
Just before rolling.
If the dog spies or fixes on something.
For encounters where the dog should go further.

The dog is signalled with "Continue" that it should continue, no matter what it does. It is therefore a stop signal.

Start by training "Next" with a stimulus
You can artificially create the distracting stimulus by placing a stuffed food toy on the floor.
Lead your dog past the stimulus at a sufficient distance.
As soon as your dog turns its attention to the stimulus, give the "Next" signal and motivate the dog to move on.
You can change your dynamic to motivate yourself by increasing your dynamic (e.g. high voice and jogging away), clapping your hands or luring.
If you can't get the dog to turn away from the stimulus, the distance was too close. Split the situation by standing between your dog and the stimulus. Use the Leash very lightly to give the dog an impulse away from the stimulus.
Your dog is marked (marker word) for going further and reinforced with praise or treats.
Gradually reduce the distance and add different stimuli. You can place the stimuli over a longer distance to increase the level of difficulty.
Carry out the same procedure outside in a low-stimulus environment.

Practise walking past the course a few times and keep changing the stimuli. If walking on with "Next" works well, you can now integrate "Next" more and more into your everyday life

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