Because of its simplicity, the family pack leadership exercise is often discounted or ignored. The family pack leadership exercise is equally important as the “recall” or “come” command. It is the basis for your total relationship with your dog, your success or failure as a team, but its subtlety is deceiving.
It requires about fifteen minutes to perform on the first occasion, about twelve minutes for the second occasion, about eight minutes on the third occasion, and no more than six to eight minutes on any successive occasions.
This exercise must be done with the entire family on four successive occasions, preferably in four different locations. (The ideal scenario would be to perform the FPL exercise four times at the first location, four times at the second location, four times at the third location, and four times at the fourth location).
Thereafter, this exercise should be used as needed, that is, any time your dog seems to not pay close attention to you, or seems easily distracted, or any time any behavior problems arise.
It is a good practice to do on a weekly basis (just once, at one location is fine) after the initial series, later, on a monthly basis, kind of like a “tune up”. If you’ve noticed a pattern developing here, your right: Dogs learn on the basis of four properly performed repetitions, particularly with labrador training.
These applications should be performed in four different locations or training situations. You are going to be walking with all of the immediate members of your family, and your dog, in a large square.
You’ll need an area large enough to encompass a twenty-ft. square area, including additional space to provide clearance for the length of your twenty-ft. lead. You’ll need a 60-ft. by 60-ft. area.
If it is impossible to find such a large area, you could get by with less space.
Once again, although training should not be conducted in your dogs own back yard, this exercise and “COME” ARE exceptions to the rule.
Insofar as it is necessary to do these exercises in his back yard, you will find it counterproductive if over used.
Gather in a close knit group, and proceed to walk as one unit from your starting point, at the rate of about one step per second, forward, for the distance of 20 ft.
Do not look at your dog. If he moves along with you, tell him he’s a good boy. Everybody must speak, all together.
If he looks up at you, that requires praise. If he does not follow the group, that’s fine.
Every time he comes toward the family, praise him. If he wanders off, that’s fine too. As he returns to you, praise.
Turn left at your first 20-ft. mark, and proceed slowly on the second leg of this square.
Each time he looks up at you, praise.
If he wanders, that’s fine, do not speak to him unless he is returning toward the family pack. Notice where the turns are, and try to find each corner of this square as you continue walking slowly to your next corner and turn left again. As you proceed around this imaginary square, simply praise him as he returns to the family pack, and ignore him as he wanders away.