Right About Turn | 90°
(~ 7 min) Teach your dog a clean 90° right-hand turn in heel—perfect for tighter control, smoother walks, and sharper obedience.
Overview
A Right About Turn (90°) is a precise heel work skill: you turn right and continue in a new direction while your dog stays aligned at your left leg. It sharpens focus, position, and rhythm, and it’s incredibly practical for store aisles, sidewalks, doorways, and crowds. Right turns also teach your dog to watch your body and adjust in real time, making the rest of heel work easier.
Topics
Key Benefits & Features
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Cleaner heel position: Teaches your dog to follow your hip/shoulder without drifting.
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Real-world control: Navigate corners, people, and tight spaces smoothly.
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Attention reset: A quick, quiet pattern to re-engage a distracted dog.
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Foundation for sequences: Links nicely with sits, halts, figure-8s, and pace changes.
Training Phases & Steps (simple, step-by-step)
Setup: Flat/buckle collar, non-retractable leash, small treats. Leash in right hand with soft slack; treats in left hand near your left pant seam (dog side). Use a grippy surface.
Teaching (quiet space • slow & clear)
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Walk straight in heel (dog on your left).
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Pre-cue with your body: glance over your right shoulder and slightly shift your right shoulder/hip to signal the turn.
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Step–Turn–Step:
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Take a small right step with your right foot.
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Pivot 90° right on that foot.
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Take one forward step in the new direction.
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As your dog follows and stays parallel at your left seam, mark “Yes!” and reward at your seam (not in front).
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Repeat in short sets (5–8 turns). Keep it slow and tidy at first.
Advance when: Your dog tracks the 90° change without crossing behind/in front or tightening the leash.
Reinforcing (add cue • vary pace)
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Add a consistent cue (e.g., “Right” or “Right turn”) as you begin the movement.
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Practice slow → normal → brisk entries while keeping turns controlled.
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Sprinkle a quick sit or watch right after some turns to test engagement.
Proofing (surfaces • places • distractions)
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Try different surfaces (mat, sidewalk, store entry mats).
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Add mild distractions at a distance (people walking, cart noise).
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Run mini-sequences: straight → right turn → straight → halt (Auto-Sit) → right turn → straight.
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Vary when you reward: sometimes right after the turn, sometimes after a few clean steps.
Maintenance (make it real-life)
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Use right turns on walks to redirect attention, avoid obstacles, or reset alignment.
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Pair with patterns (e.g., Right turn → 5 steps → Auto-Sit).
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Reward intermittently to keep it crisp.
Your Role at Home
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Move deliberately; your hips/shoulders tell the story.
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Keep the leash loose—steering with the leash creates dependence.
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Feed in position (left seam) so your dog learns the exact spot to hold.
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Practice a few short sets rather than one long session.
Who It’s For
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Families wanting tidier leash manners in public.
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Dogs that drift, forge, or lag and need a clear re-center tool.
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Anyone building foundation heelwork without lots of verbal cues.
Quick Start Checklist
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Pick your cue (e.g., “Right”).
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Practice 5–8 slow turns today on a grippy floor.
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Reward at your left seam immediately after a good turn.
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End on a win; do 2–3 mini-sessions instead of one long one.
Best Practices (Do / Don’t)
| Do | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Use Step–Turn–Step footwork. | Makes your movement clear and repeatable. |
| Reward in position at your seam. | Prevents forging/cutting in front. |
| Start slow and tidy. | Clean mechanics beat speed early on. |
| Fade lures quickly; keep the leash soft. | Builds true tracking of your body. |
| Mix in halts/sits after turns. | Tests engagement and control. |
| Don’t | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Don’t yank the leash to steer. | Let your body and reward placement teach. |
| Don’t spin on slick floors. | Choose grippy footing; shorten steps. |
| Don’t reward in front of your leg. | Pay at the left seam or slightly behind it. |
| Don’t rush the pivot. | Slow down; clarity first, speed later. |
| Don’t drill to boredom. | Keep sets short; finish on success. |
Everyday Examples
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Crowded aisle: Right turn to slip past a cart, then a calm Auto-Sit while you pause.
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Focus reset: Dog starts drifting forward—right turn, 3 tidy steps, mark & treat at your seam.
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Neighborhood walk: Right turn at each corner; mix in a brief sit to keep rhythm and attention.
Common Questions & Answers
My dog lags or cuts the corner—what should I do?
Slow down and exaggerate Step–Turn–Step. Keep your treat hand touching your thigh (left seam) so the dog aims for parallel position. Mark as soon as they complete the turn in place. Build speed later.
Can I use this on leash walks?
Absolutely. Right turns help redirect attention, avoid obstacles, and reset alignment without nagging. Keep them smooth; reward the first few clean reps outdoors.
What’s the difference between a 90° right turn and a right circle?
A 90° right turn is a sharp pivot into a new line. A right circle is a full 360° rotation that emphasizes continuous flow rather than a crisp corner. Both improve focus; turns are great for tight navigation.
Troubleshooting
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Leash tightens in the turn: Shorten your right step, slow the pivot, widen your path slightly, and reward for a loose leash right after the corner.
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Dog forges ahead after the turn: Reward at or slightly behind your seam for a few sessions; add a quick halt/sit after the turn.
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Dog lags and swings wide: Add a touch of pace after the pivot and mark early for catching up; keep rewards frequent for staying parallel.
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Inconsistent surfaces: Move to non-slip floors or grass until footwork is clean.
Glossary
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Heel (family version): Dog walks at your left side, shoulder near your left pant seam, with a loose leash.
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Left seam: The line at your left pant leg—our target spot for rewards.
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Step–Turn–Step: Footwork pattern—small right step, 90° pivot, then a step forward in the new direction.
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Parallel position: Dog’s body stays aligned beside you, not crossing in front or drifting behind.
The Right About Turn (90°) is a quick, practical way to keep your dog with you—in stores, on sidewalks, and during training. Start slow, use clear Step–Turn–Step footwork, and reward in position at your left seam. As your dog understands the pattern, add pace, places, and distractions. With a few short sessions each week, you’ll get sharper heelwork and smoother, more enjoyable walks.