Training sheet: Left / Right

🎒Preparation▼

🍖

Treats

One in each hand

🔀

T-junction

A clear intersection for the choice

💡

Starting position: Your dog is walking, slightly ahead of you or level with you.

🎯The lure phase (step by step)▼

Orientation

At a junction, show a treat in the hand on the side you want (right hand → turn right).

Priming

Guide your dog's nose towards the new direction with your hand while turning your own body.

Marking

As soon as your dog sets off down the new path, say “Right!” or “Left!” straight away.

The reward

Give the treat while your dog is walking in the right direction. Repeat for the other side.

🗣️Introducing the verbal cue▼

Anticipating the turn

Say “Left” or “Right” just before you start the turn.

Distinct sounds

Stress the difference in sound between the two words to help your dog tell them apart.

🎓Fading the lure▼

From a distance

Give the verbal cue while you are still 2 or 3 metres from the turn.

Surprise reward

If your dog chooses the right side by themselves, run with them to praise them and give a “surprise” treat.

✅

Pulling-sport tip: If you do a pulling activity (cycling, running), use light tension on the lead to confirm the direction as well as the word.

💡Final tips▼

Exaggeration: At first, exaggerate your shoulder movement towards the direction you want. Your dog reads your body language before listening to your words.
One side at a time: Do not mix the two cues. Work on “right” in one session, then “left” in another.
Choice of terrain: Use kerbs or hedges as natural guides.
Precision: Be consistent with your words. If you say “To the right” once and “Right” the next time, your dog will take much longer to learn.

Teaching “Left / Right”