The "around" command is specific to our Future Leader Dog puppies. When doors have hinges on our left side (where the puppy is heeling), it is safer to pass through the door with the puppy on our right.
So, we teach them "around"--passing the leash from left hand to right behind our backs, guiding the puppy to our right side, then we proceed through the doorway. Once safely through, we pass the leash behind our back from right to left and "heel" our puppy forward.
This short video is of me and FLD Scout in our house, going through a left-hinged door into our bedroom. In a more open area I would have walked a bit further on before having Scout heel back to my left side.
(As we approach the door, FLD Scout
veers toward the open door on our left--Gus was there in his crate!
Scout did a pretty good job refocusing on task. And notice the nice
loose leash?)
HINTS FOR TEACHING AROUND
- Repetition! Always, always, always, guide your puppy to your right side this way at EVERY left-hinged door you pass through.
- Feel for the door. A blind or visually impaired handler will reach out to see where the door knob is...do the same thing with your puppy as a "cue" and soon your puppy will watch for your command if the "around" is necessary.
- If your puppy rushes through, stop, shut the door, and wait until the leash is loose. Try again.
- Stop after going through, keep your puppy standing at your right side, and then shut the door. (I didn't do this in the video.)
- Praise your puppy!
