| How to Treat Asthma Attacks Posted: 27 Aug 2016 05:00 PM PDT Asthma is caused by an inflammation and obstruction of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that help the lung inhale and exhale air. In 2009 the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology stated that one in every 12 people in the United States had a diagnosis of asthma, compared to one in 14 in 2001.[1] During an asthma attack, the muscles around the bronchial tubes tighten and swell, which narrows the air passages and thus makes it difficult for the person to breathe. Common triggers of asthma attacks include exposure to an allergen (like grass, tress, pollen, etc.), irritants in the air (such as smoke or strong smells), illnesses (like the flu), stress, extreme weather conditions (such as extreme heat), or physical exertion and exercise.[2] Learning to recognize when you or someone else is having an asthma attack and knowing what to do can help save a life. EditEvaluating the Situation - Recognize early symptoms of an asthma attack. People with chronic asthma may wheeze occasionally and require the use of their asthma medication to control symptoms. An attack is different in that it results in more severe symptoms which last longer and require immediate attention. Early symptoms that an attack may be imminent include: [3]
- Itchy neck
- Feeling irritable or short-tempered
- Feeling nervous or edgy
- Fatigue
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Recognize the onset of an asthma attack. An asthma attack can deteriorate into a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. Know how to identify an asthma attack so that you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Although signs and symptoms of an asthma attack vary depending on the person, the most common symptoms include:[4]
- Wheezing or whistling while breathing. Most often the wheezing is heard when a person is breathing out (exhaling) but can sometimes also be heard when they are breathing in (inhaling).[5]
- Coughing. Some sufferers may cough in an attempt to clear the airway and get more oxygen into their lungs. This may be especially aggravated at night.[6]
- Shortness of breath. People suffering from asthma attacks will complain of being short of breath. They may be breathing in short shallow breaths that appear to be faster than normal.[7]
- Chest tightness. Attacks are often accompanied by a feeling that chest feels tight or that there is pain on the left or right side.[8]
- Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings. If the person uses a peak flow meter, a small device that measures the maximum speed of expiration in order to monitor a person's ability to exhale air, and the measurements range from 50% to 79% of your personal best, this is indicative of an asthma flare-up.
- Know the symptoms of asthma in a child. Children will often have the same symptoms as adults with asthma, such as wheezing or whistling when breathing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness or pain.
- Fast breathing is common in an asthma attack in children.
- Children may show 'retractions' where you can see their neck pulling, belly breathing, or their ribs when they breathe.
- In some children a chronic cough can be the only symptom of an asthma attack.[9]
- In other cases, symptoms of asthma in children are limited to coughing that is made worse with viral infections or when they are sleeping.[10]
- Evaluate the specific situation. Assess what is happening to determine if emergency medical attention is needed and what treatment should be done at the scene. Individuals who are having mild symptoms may be able to use their medication which should work immediately. Those individuals in greater distress should be seen by emergency medical personnel. In the case of a severe asthma attack, call or have someone nearby call emergency medical services before proceeding to treat the attack. Know how to distinguish which situation you have on your hands:[11]
- People with asthma who need their medication but may not require immediate medical attention will:
- be wheezing slightly but not appear in distress
- may be coughing to clear their airway and get more air
- have some shortness of breath but able to talk and walk
- do not appear to be anxious or in distress
- will be able to tell you they have asthma and where their medication is located
- People who are in significant distress and will require immediate medical attention:
- may appear pale or even have a bluish color to their lips or fingers
- have the same symptoms as above but intensified and more severe
- strain their chest muscles to breathe
- experience severe shortness of breath, which results in short panting breaths
- wheeze audibly with inspiration or expiration
- have increased anxiety about the situation
- possibly be confused or less responsive than normal
- have trouble walking or talking because of shortness of breath
- demonstrate persistent symptoms
EditTreating Your Own Asthma Attack - Have an action plan in place. Once you are diagnosed with asthma, create an asthma action plan with your allergist or physician. This plan is basically a step-by-step process of what to do when you face an acute attack. The plan should be written down and include emergency phone numbers as well as those of family and friends who can meet you at the hospital if needed.[12]
- When you get the diagnosis, consult with your doctor to identify your particular symptoms of worsening asthma and what you should do when they flare up (e.g. take medication, go to the emergency room, etc).[13]
- Make sure you know how to use your rescue inhalers.
- Write this plan down and keep it with you at all times.
- Avoid your asthma attack triggers. In general, note that prevention of symptoms is the best way to manage and treat asthma. If you know what situations trigger your asthma attacks (such as being around furry animals or extremely hot or cold weather), then try to avoid these when possible.[14]
- Get the inhaler prescribed by your physician. There are two different type of rescue medications that you may have been prescribed your doctor, a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) or a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI).
- MDIs the are most common inhalers. They deliver asthma medication through a small aerosol canister equipped with a chemical propellant that pushes the medication into the lungs. An MDI can be used alone or with a breathing chamber ("spacer") that separates your mouth from the inhaler, and which can allow you to breathe normally to receive the medication and help the medication get into the lungs more efficiently.
- A DPI inhaler means of delivering dry powder asthma rescue medication without propellant. Brand names of DPI medications include Flovent, Serevent, or Advair. A DPI requires you to breathe in quickly and deeply, which makes them difficult to use during an asthma attack. This makes them less popular than the standard MDIs.[15]
- Whichever you have been prescribed, make sure you are always carrying it with you.
- Use a MDI. Note that when suffering an asthma attack, you only want to use an MDI filled with the rescue medication, bronchodilators (such as albuterol) , and not corticosteroids or long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilators. Shake the inhaler for five seconds to mix the medication in the canister. [16]
- Before using the inhaler, push out as much air in the lungs as you can.
- Lift your chin and seal your lips around the air chamber or the end of the inhaler.
- Using an air chamber, you would breathe normally and slowly to get the medication. Using the inhaler, start to breathe in and press the inhaler once.
- Keep breathing in until you can't get in any more air.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds and repeat at least one time, but often more, allowing at least one minute between uses. Always follow the instructions on your asthma plan.
- Use a DPI. DPIs vary consistently from manufacturer to manufacturer, so care should be taken in reading the instructions before using.
- Breathe out as much air as possible.
- Seal your lips around the DPI and breathe in strongly until your lungs are full.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- Remove the DPI from your mouth and exhale slowly.
- If more than one dose is prescribed, repeat after one minute has passed.
- Recognize an asthma emergency. If your asthma symptoms worsen even after taking your medication, you may need to get emergency medical assistance. If you can call emergency services, you should do so. However, if your breathing is too labored and you cannot speak clearly, you may need someone to call for you, such as a friend or family member nearby or a passersby.[17]
- A good action plan will include the local number for emergency services. In addition, your doctor will have helped you identify when your symptoms are becoming more severe and when you are entering an emergency situation so that you'll know when to get help. Call your local emergency number if your attack is not significantly relieved by your rescue inhaler in several minutes.
- Rest while awaiting emergency personnel. Sit and rest while emergency personnel are coming to your aid. Some asthmatics find sitting in the "tripod" position—leaning forward with their hands on their knees—to be helpful because it can relieve pressure on the diaphragm.
- Try to stay calm. Becoming anxious can increase your symptoms.
- Ask someone in the vicinity to sit with you to help you stay calm until emergency help arrives.
EditHelping Someone Else - Help the individual find a comfortable position. Most people with asthma will be more comfortable sitting and not standing or lying down. Keep the person upright to assist with lung expansion and ease of breathing. Let the person lean slightly forward onto you or a chair for support. Some asthmatics may sit in a "tripod" position by leaning forward with their hands on their knees to relieve pressure on their diaphragm.
- Asthma is exacerbated by anxiety but it is not triggered by anxiety. This means that during an attack the individual will respond more rapidly when he is calm. Anxiety releases cortisol in the body which constricts the bronchioles, the passages by which air passes through the nose and/or mouth to the air sacs of the lungs.[18]
- It's important that you stay calm and reassuring as this can assist the person in maintaining calm.
- Calmly ask "Do you have asthma?" Even if the person cannot verbally answer due to wheezing or coughing, he may nod or gesture towards his inhaler or an instruction card.
- Ask the person if he has a written asthma emergency action plan. Many individuals who are prepared for asthma attacks will carry a written emergency plan with them. If the person has one, take it out and help him follow the plan.[19]
- Remove all known triggers in the immediate area. Asthma is often exacerbated by specific triggers or allergens. Ask the individual if something in the immediate area might be triggering an attack and if the person communicates a response, try to remove the trigger or remove the person from the trigger if it is environmental (like pollen or weather-related).[20]
- Animals
- Smoke
- Pollen
- High humidity or cold weather
- Inform the person that you are looking for his inhaler. Do this to keep the person calm and reassure him that you are working with him, not against him.
- Women may keep their inhaler in their handbags and men in a pocket.
- Some asthmatics, especially children or the elderly, may have a clear plastic tube called a spacer that attaches to the inhaler. A spacer delivers the medicine into the mouth with less force, making it easier to inhale.
- Children and elderly people who suffer frequent asthma attacks may also carry nebulizers, which deliver asthma medication through a mouthpiece or mask. They are easy to use, because the patient breathes normally and are thus ideal for the young and old, but are somewhat bulkier than the MDIs and require electricity to work.
- If the person does not have an inhaler, call emergency medical services, especially if the asthmatic is young or elderly. People suffering from asthma attacks without inhalers are serious risk of asphyxiating.
- Prepare the person to receive medication from the inhaler. If the person has his head resting downward, temporarily lift his upper body back.
- If there is a spacer for the MDI, attach it to the inhaler after shaking. Remove the cap from the mouthpiece.
- Help the person tilt his head back if necessary.
- Have the asthmatic exhale as much as possible before using the inhaler.
- Allow the person to administer his own medication. Inhaler dosages must be appropriately timed, so allow the asthmatic control of this process. Help the person support the inhaler or spacer against his lips if necessary.
- Most asthmatics will pause for a minute or two between puffs.
- Call emergency services. Monitor the asthmatic until paramedics arrive.
- Even if the asthmatic seems to get better after using their inhaler, it is best if a paramedic or healthcare professional can assess the person. If the person does not want to go to the hospital, he can make that decision after being informed of his health status.
- Continue to help the person with their inhaler if necessary; even if the asthma attack does not decrease in severity the medication will help keep it from worsening by relaxing the airways.
EditTreat An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler - Call emergency services. If you or another person do not have an inhaler, it is important to call your local emergency phone number. There are also other steps you can take while awaiting emergency services. However, you should always ask emergency services what they advise while you're on the phone with them.
- Run a hot shower. If at home, running a hot shower or bath can transform the bathroom into a good recovery zone due to the steam.[21][22]
- Practice breathing exercises. Many people get anxious and panic when they suffer an asthma attack and this can increase breathing. However, panicking usually aggravates the asthma attack because it restricts the amount of oxygen that the lungs get. Try to do slow, conscious breathing. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four and then out for a count of six.[23]
- Try pursing your lips as you exhale. This can help slow your exhales and keep the airways open for a longer time.
- Find a drink with caffeine. Caffeine's chemical structure is similar to common asthma medications, and a small amount of coffee or soda can help relax the airways and reduce respiratory problems.[24][25]
- The drug in question here is called theophylline, which can help prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.[26] There may not be enough theophylline present in coffee or tea to counteract the asthma attack, but it is one alternative option.
- Make use of common household drugs. Certain drugs may help relieve the effects of an asthma attack in the case of emergency, although they should never be taken in lieu of getting emergency assistance.
 - Administer a fast-acting antihistamine (allergy medicine) if you or the asthmatic thinks an allergen has triggered the reaction. This may be the case if you are outside on a day with a high pollen index. Antihistamines include: Allegra, Benadryl, Dimetane, Claritin, Alavert, Tavist, Chlor-Trimeton, and Zyrtec, to name a few. Echinacea, ginger, chamomile, and saffron are all natural antihistamines. If you can find any teas that contain these ingredients, this might help relieve some symptoms, although the effect of antihistamines in general is likely to be minimal. Be careful when using natural herbs or supplements as some people are allergic to the ingredients. [27]
- Use a over-the-counter pseudoephedrine like .Sudafed. Sudafed is a nasal decongestant, but it could help during an asthma attack when an inhaler is not present because it can help open the bronchioles. It's best to break the pill down with a mortar and pestle and dissolve in warm water or tea before administering to limit the risk of choking. Note as well that while it does work, it can take up to 15 to 30 minutes to be effective. Keep in mind as well that pseudoephedrine can increase the heart rate and blood pressure.[28]
- Symptoms of asthma, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness, are reversible with inhaled medications. In some cases, the symptoms reverse on their own.
- If you have been treating your asthma attack and it is mild, but not getting better, see your doctor to help prevent it from getting worse. He or she may prescribe oral steroids to help stop the attack.
- If you follow your action plan as soon as you start to have symptoms, you can often avoid it becoming a severe attack.
- Make sure your inhaler and any other medications you take for asthma are not expired or run out. Call your doctor if you need a refill before you run out if possible
- Asthma can be life-threatening. If yo or the person you are with do not receive relief from an inhaler in several minutes, you or someone nearby should call your local emergency medical number and wait for assistance.
- There are no over-the-counter medications approved to treat asthma. All people diagnosed with asthma should have an emergency plan and carry their inhaler with them at all times.
- If you are ever in doubt about what to do, call emergency services immediately.
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| How to Tell the Difference Between Nightmares and Night Terrors Posted: 27 Aug 2016 09:00 AM PDT While nightmares and night terrors, or parasomnias, have some features in common, they are different experiences. Nightmares have occurred when an individual awakens from a vivid dream with an intense feeling of fear and/or dread.[1] In contrast, night terrors are partial arousals from sleep during which an individual may shout, thrash their arms, kick, or scream.[2] In addition, night terrors rarely occur in adults, while nightmares are experienced by people of all ages.[3] Because nightmares and night terrors are two different types of sleep experiences, they should be differentiated and handled differently. EditLearning About Nightmares - Learn the traits of a nightmare. Nightmares are a type of undesirable sleep experience that occur while you are falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. There are several characteristic features of experiencing a nightmare:
- The storyline of the nightmare is often related to threats to your safety or survival.[4]
- People experiencing nightmares will awake from their vivid dream with feelings of fear, stress, or anxiety.[5]
- When the dreamers of nightmares wake up, they will often remember the dream and be able to repeat the details.[6] They will be able to think clearly upon awakening.[7]
- Nightmares often keep the dreamer from falling back to sleep easily.[8]
- Expect nightmares to occur in people of all ages. Nightmares are most common in children ages 3-6, with up to 50% of children experiencing nightmares during these ages.[9] However, nightmares are often experienced by adults as well, especially if the individual is experiencing a particularly high amount of anxiety or stress.
- Recognize when nightmares occur. Nightmares occur most often later in the sleep cycle during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. This is the period of time when dreaming is most prevalent, and it is when both good dreams and nightmares most commonly occur.[10]
- Consider possible root causes of nightmares. While nightmares can occur for no reason at all, seeing or hearing something that frightens or alarms a person can result in a nightmare. The sights or sounds that cause a nightmare can be things that have really happened or things that are make-believe.[11]
- Common causes of nightmares include illness, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or a negative reaction to a medication.[12]
- Prepare for the aftermath of nightmares. Nightmares usually leave the dreamer with intense feelings of fear, terror, and/or anxiety.[13] It may be very difficult to return to sleep after a nightmare.
- Expect to console your child after a nightmare. He or she may need to be calmed down and assured that there is nothing to be frightened of.
- Adults, teens, or older children experiencing nightmares may benefit from speaking with a counselor who can help identify what might be a source of stress, fear, or anxiety that is manifesting as nightmares.
EditUnderstanding Night Terrors - Determine if a person is likely to experience night terrors. While night terrors are relatively uncommon overall, they occur most often in children (experienced by up to 6.5% of children). Night terrors may be a consequence of the maturation of the central nervous system.[14] In contrast, night terrors are rarely experienced by adults (only 2.2% of adults will experience night terrors).[15][16] When adults experience night terrors, it is often due to underlying psychological factors such as trauma or stress.
- Night terrors in children are usually not a cause for alarm. There is no evidence suggesting that a child who experiences night terrors has a psychological problem or is upset about or disturbed by something.[17] Children usually grow out of night terrors.[18]
- Night terrors do seem to have a genetic component. Children are more likely to experience night terrors if someone else in the family suffers from them as well.[19]
- Many adults who have night terrors also have another psychological condition, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, or an anxiety disorder.[20]
- Night terrors in adults can also be caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or by substance abuse (particularly alcohol abuse).[21] It is crucial to consider potential underlying causes of night terrors in adults and address these underlying causes if need be.
- Identify the behaviors associated with night terrors. There are certain behaviors that are often associated with night terrors. Common behaviors include:[22]
- Sitting up in bed
- Screaming or shouting in fear
- Kicking his or her feet
- Thrashing his or her arms
- Sweating, breathing heavily, or having a rapid pulse
- Staring wide-eyed
- Engaging in aggressive behavior (this is more common in adults than in children)
- Recognize when night terrors occur. Night terrors often occur during non-REM sleep, most commonly occurring during the short wave period of sleep. This means that they often will happen during the first few hours of sleep.[23]
- Don't expect to awaken a person having a night terror. People who are having a sleep terror episode will often be very hard to awaken. However, if they do awaken, they will often emerge from sleep in a confused state, and may be unsure why they appear to be sweaty, out of breath, or why their bed may be in disarray.
- Expect the person to have no memory of the event. Occasionally people may recall vague information about the event, but there is no recollection of vivid detail.[24]
- Even if you do manage to wake up the person, s/he will often be unaware of your presence or be unable to recognize you.
- Be patient with the person experiencing the night terror. It is likely that he or she will have a difficult time communicating, even if s/he appears to be "awake" after the night terror occurs. This is because the night terror occurred during deep sleep.
- Beware of dangerous behaviors. A person having a night terror may pose a threat to him or herself or to others without knowing it.
- Watch out for sleepwalking. A person who is having a night terror can engage in sleepwalking, which can pose a serious threat.
- Protect yourself from combative behavior. Abrupt physical movements (punching, kicking, and thrashing) often accompany sleep terrors and can cause injury to the person having a sleep terror, someone sleeping next to them, or someone attempting to control them.
- Handle a night terror appropriately. You should not attempt to wake up a person who is having a night terror unless s/he is in danger.[25]
- Stay with the person having a night terror until s/he has calmed down.
EditDifferentiating Between Nightmares and Night Terrors - Determine whether the person has woken up. A person who has a sleep terror episode will remain asleep, while someone who has a nightmare will wake up and may remember vivid details about the dream.[26]
- See whether the person is easy to awaken. Someone who is having a nightmare can be easily awoken and brought out of the nightmare, but this is not the case with a night terror.[27] In the case of the latter, the person will be extremely difficult to wake up and may not actually emerge from their deep sleep.
- Observe the state of the person after the episode. If the person who has experienced the episode appears confused and is unaware of the presence of others in the room, s/he has likely experienced a night terror and will often immediately return to sleep. On the other hand, if the person wakes up with feelings of fear or anxiety and seeks out the comfort or company of another person (especially in the case of children), s/he has had a nightmare.
- Remember that a person who has had a nightmare will often take longer to fall back to sleep.
- Note when the episode occurs. If the episode occurs during the first few hours of sleep (most commonly about 90 minutes after falling asleep), it most likely has occurred during the early short wave period of sleep. This indicates that the episode is probably a night terror.[28] However, if the episode occurs later on in the sleep cycle, it most likely has occurred during REM sleep and is a nightmare.
- Night terrors are most common in children. It is important to see a doctor if night terrors become more frequent, disrupt the sleep of family members, cause you or your child to fear sleeping, or lead to dangerous behaviors (such as getting out of bed and walking around the house) or injury.[29]
- If night terrors begin in childhood but persist beyond the teen years, or if they begin in adulthood, it is important to visit your doctor.[30]
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| How to Teach Your Dog to Heel Posted: 27 Aug 2016 01:00 AM PDT Many times when people take their dog for a walk, they are actually dragged along behind the dog, instead of leading it. A dog that pulls, or even a dog that lags behind, has not been properly trained to walk in unison with its owner. Heeling is such a comfortable way to walk with your dog, not against it, that it is worth your while to teach your pup how to do it. Anyone can train a dog to heel with repetition and patience, along with some simple techniques. EditLearning How to Train Your Dog - Find a quiet place to train your dog. You want to eliminate distractions, so that your dog can concentrate on you easily. If you have a backyard, that is the perfect place to train your dog. Otherwise, find a quiet corner of a park with few other people or pets. If outdoors is too distracting, start inside. Gradually increase the amount of distraction as the dog learns, and be sure to practice in different places, so that the dog understands that "heel" means "heel" everywhere, not just in the backyard.
- Teach the dog to watch you. This can be accomplished by simply associating a cue such as "Watch me" with a treat. Your dog will quickly learn to look at you when you use the word, as they will expect a treat. Once this has been accomplished, give treats randomly, not necessarily for every occasion, but don't stop completely.
- Don't rely on the leash to physically move the dog. The leash is for safety, not a means of communication. Practicing off-leash in a safe location is ideal.
- Choose a release cue such as "okay", "free", or "break" to communicate to the dog that it's okay to break heel position or get up from a sit.
EditTraining Your Dog to Heel With Positive Reinforcement - Teach your dog proper positioning. The proper way to walk a dog is with the dog on your left side. However, this is only necessary for formal obedience and some other sports. For pet dogs, choose whichever side is best for you, but be consistent and stick with the chosen side.
- The dog should walk with its head or shoulder even with your hip.
- You are not holding the leash tight to keep your dog in place. The leash is slack between you, with no contact.
- Teach your dog to position itself correctly. "Right Here" is a useful command to teach your dog when standing. If your dog is not close enough or is confused about which side to sit at, slap your hip and use the command "Right Here". If needed, lure your dog to your side with a treat. As your dog learns, slowly fade the lure by using your hand without a treat, then just your hand, then more general. The lure can become a hand signal (moving your hand to your hip).
- Get your dog's attention. The key to heeling is having your dog's attention. Start standing still with your dog sitting beside you in the correct position. Get your dogs attention by calling its name, tapping on its head, making noises, or using your pre-taught "watch me" cue.
- When the dog looks up, slap your left hip with your hand and say "Right Here". This is a command. Your dog can learn to look where you indicate, and in this way you are giving your dog a reference point for where he should be while heeling.
- Set your dog up for success. Try your best to avoid asking for more than your dog is capable of.
- Remember, the key is getting your dog's attention. This can be the most difficult thing. Also, though it takes some work, while getting your dog's attention you can teach your dog to look at you when you say "Watch me" or whatever your chosen cue is. Remember to reward with a treat when your dog responds correctly.
- With your dog in position, take one step. Reward your dog. Increase to two, then three, and so on.
- Once your dog is reliably heeling, introduce speed changes and turns.
- Consider every walk you have with the dog a training session.[1]
- Heavily reinforce your dog for good behavior with whatever they enjoy most - treats, play, petting, praise, etc. Treats are usually the most favoured and easiest option. You should positively reinforce your dog when he obeys your commands correctly. Avoid using punishment to train.
EditUsing Corrective Methods - Use corrections with care. Many people train their dogs with all positive, reward-based methods, which require a lot of patience and consistency. Corrections can get quicker results sometimes, but it can also backfire by damaging your relationship with your dog, creating anxiety and confusion in the dog, and resulting in more unwanted behavior.
- Think of the leash as an extension of your arm. With this in mind, do not correct your dog unless he or she needs correction. Giving mixed signals to your dog will only complicate and inhibit successful training.
- Keeping the leash slack (not correcting constantly) means that when you actually do pull on the leash, your dog is much more likely to listen to you.
- When you praise your dog, do not let it disobey your command until you release it. For instance, if you tell your dog to sit, it obeys, you praise it, and it gets up, immediately stop the praise. If your dog does not sit down again by itself after a few seconds, firmly put it into place, then praise again.
- You do not need to repeat the command. Enforcing it is much more effective. You may want to give the dog another chance to obey properly.
- Reinforce that your dog cannot forge ahead. Most dogs forge ahead. To correct this, keep your dog on a leash that is tight enough to allow you to step across in front of him. When he tries to forge ahead, turn sharply and step directly in his path, making a 90 degree turn and heading off in a new direction. Once again, turn sharply, as if walking along a square.
- The dog will be used to leading you, and may be surprised or confused. Walk in a straight line again, until the dog tries to forge past you. Pull the same stunt. Doing this for 5-15 minutes a day is enough. Some dogs learn after the first session, but some dogs who have been used to leading you for years may take longer.
- Train your dog not to lag as well. Most dogs lag consistently if they feel afraid, neglected, unwanted, or abused but many dogs lag occasionally if they are sidetracked by smells or activities. The way to stop lagging is similar to stopping forging. All you have to do is let the leash hit your leg every time you step as you walk.
- Your leash should once again be in your right hand, and a lagging dog would be on your left side behind you, with the leash crossing in front of your legs. This will cause a jerk when you step forward with your left leg, and if this isn't enough to make your dog want to catch up, you can slowly reel in the leash while your leg is bumping it.
- You should use a command while doing this "Get-Up-Here" and/or "Right Here"; with your left hand slap your hip. Speak this command, and your dog's name, using "Hey" to get his attention if needed. Once your dog is next to you, praise and let the leash slack. Most likely he will lag again, but all you have to do is repeat.[2]
- Try placing your thumb in your pocket to secure the lead at a length you feel comfortable working with. The abrupt stop or changes in direction at the consistent lead tension seem to direct the dog well. Sometimes with your hands free you can tend to allow too much slack allowing the dog to roam while you daydream. The thumb trick keeps them firmly in place.
- Use a thick collar. Thinner collars are more severe than wider collars, as pressure is not displaced over a larger area, making corrections more severe.
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