Checking In

This will teach your dog to stay near you when outdoors

Checking In While Outdoors

None, but it helps if you have been working on training your dog to follow you.

Long line – 15 to 30 feet (depending on the amount of room you have and the size of your dog). Put a knot in and step on it if you don’t want to hold it.
Treat pouch
The most delicious treats you have
Clicker

Start in your yard. You need a little bit of distraction in the environment to get this exercise started.
If you work a few sessions and your dog won’t leave your side, move to a more distracting environment.
Gradually work in new environments with more distractions around.

Treat your dog right in front of you. This will encourage him/her to stick around you.

Put your dog on the long line and let him/her get interested in his/her environment.
When your dog looks at you, click and hold a treat right in front of you and allow your dog to come and take it.
Repeat this a few times until you see your dog start heading your direction before you click.
Pause your click until your dog has moved a few feet in your direction and then click and offer the treat right in front of you.
Next, wait until the dog has come half the distance to you before you click. Do this about five times.
Finally, wait to click until your dog is right in front of you.

Work on this for about 5-10 minutes each day.

At the end of this step your dog should be checking in with you every few minutes when outdoors, and generally staying closer to you.

My dog never looked at me when we were outside.
- Your dog may be too distracted. Try to find an area where he/she can actually get bored. There may be a fenced area in your community you can use that is empty (like a tennis court). Always check the fence first to make sure it is sound. Let your dog loose in the area. Bring a folding chair and a book if you need to.
- Your dog doesn’t find you that interesting (sorry – it happens). Try playing with your dog more outside. If you can find ways to make yourself more interesting than the environment your dog will come to you.
My dog isn’t moving towards me.
- Try the solutions above.
- Consider if the treats you are using are really that appealing to your dog. If not, find some that are and try again tomorrow.