Go Around: Teaching Your Dog to Navigate Around an Obstacle

Video Tutorial Coming Soon: A video demonstration will be added to accompany this written guide.

“Go around” asks your dog to move around an indicated obstacle rather than crossing over it or becoming caught against it. This can help your team navigate posts, furniture, and other everyday obstructions.

For this tutorial, your dog will pass around one obstacle and continue toward the destination you indicate. They do not need to circle it completely or return to the starting point.

Your directional gesture helps identify the route. Begin with one obvious obstacle and plenty of space.

Helpful Cues to Know Before Practicing

A reward marker, such as “yes”: This identifies successful navigation and predicts a reward.

Touch: A familiar hand target can help guide your dog along the intended route. A food lure can also be used initially.

Loose-leash walking: This helps your dog move with you without pulling as you introduce the exercise.

Name recognition is helpful but optional: This can help you gain attention before indicating the route.

What You Will Need

Choose a stable, harmless obstacle, such as a wide cone or sturdy box. It should be easy to see, with no sharp edges or openings that could catch a paw.

Have small treats ready and practice on a nonslip surface with ample room on both sides of the obstacle.

Begin in a secure area. If using a leash, keep it loose and clear of the obstacle. Keep sessions approximately two to three minutes long.

Step 1: Introduce the Route

Position your dog a short distance in front of the obstacle.

Use a hand target or treat lure to guide them along a wide path around one side. Walk with them initially, leaving enough room for their entire body to pass comfortably.

Once they clear the obstacle, say “yes” and reward beyond it.

Do not pull them around with the leash or lure them so close that they brush against the object.

Step 2: Repeat an Easy Passage

Practice the same route several times until your dog follows comfortably.

Keep the reward beyond the obstacle so they complete the passage before stopping. Avoid rewarding halfway through if doing so leaves them crowded beside it.

If they try to climb over or step onto the object, widen the route and make your guiding gesture clearer.

Step 3: Add the Words “Go Around”

Once the movement is predictable, say “go around” once immediately before indicating the route.

Guide your dog as needed, then mark and reward after they pass the obstacle.

Keep the cue and gesture consistent. The words identify the action, while your gesture indicates the side and direction.

Step 4: Fade the Food Lure

Repeat the guiding motion with an empty hand. Reward from your other hand or a pouch after your dog completes the route.

Gradually make the gesture smaller while keeping it clear.

If your dog stops or takes a direct path toward you instead, return to a closer target and easier route. Do not remove guidance faster than they can understand the exercise.

Step 5: Reduce Your Own Movement

Begin walking a slightly shorter portion of the route while your dog completes the passage.

Progress gradually toward indicating the route from near the starting point. Reward at the intended destination rather than drawing them back across the obstacle.

You may use a familiar hand target beyond the obstacle to clarify where to finish.

Distance is optional. Your dog can use this skill effectively while staying close to you.

Step 6: Teach the Opposite Direction

Introduce the route around the other side using the original, close-range guidance.

Reward generously while your dog learns that the same cue can apply in either direction, depending on your gesture.

Alternate directions only after each is familiar. Avoid expecting them to guess which side you want.

Step 7: Practice With Different Obstacles

Introduce another stable object and return to easy repetitions.

Gradually practice around suitable furniture, posts, or similar everyday obstacles. Keep the route wide enough for comfortable movement.

If your dog is uncertain about an object, allow time to investigate from a comfortable distance before asking them to pass it.

Do not practice around unstable furniture, moving equipment, or objects with snagging hazards.

Step 8: Apply the Cue During Walks

Approach a suitable obstacle slowly and indicate the intended route before your dog commits to the wrong side.

Say “go around,” guide as needed, and reward after they pass.

If the leash becomes wrapped around a post, stop and manage the situation calmly. When practical, guide your dog back along the path that created the wrap. Sending them farther around may tighten the entanglement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Giving the cue without indicating a route: Make the intended side clear.

Guiding too close to the obstacle: Allow room for your dog’s shoulders, hips, and tail.

Rewarding before they clear it: Reinforce the complete passage.

Expecting a full circle: This tutorial teaches passing around an obstruction, not circling an object.

Pulling with the leash: Use voluntary movement and clear guidance.

Increasing distance too quickly: Establish the route close to your dog before reducing assistance.

Assuming every obstacle is equally easy: Introduce unfamiliar objects with easier expectations.

When to Progress

Increase difficulty when your dog follows the indicated route around a familiar obstacle on the first cue in approximately eight out of ten repetitions across several short sessions.

Build independence, different routes, and environmental distractions separately. The goal is comfortable navigation that helps your team move around everyday obstacles without confusion or leash tangles.