Question about walking

Asarra · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:56 am Post subject: Question about walking

Storm and I walk twice a day for about 1/2 hour each time. I make no effort to make her heal nicely, and in general she does not pull much. I've been watching the Dog Whisperer and it seems like I should be making her heal behind me the whole time. I can get her to heal walk for very short times, but doing for a full half hour would be miserable for both of us. Is this really what she needs? Am I setting myself up for trouble in the future?

GrommysMommy · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

I'm wondering the exact same thing!

Gromit walks better on the beach when not on a leash at all.

When we walk on leash in the morning he has started pulling (especially when heading home) I'm not sure if I should just use a long leash and let him wander till hes old enough to be "corrected" or can I start now??? Leash pulling is his only fault so far, so I'd really like some help too.

Django · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

The minute I had Django home, I started walking him on a leash. Being as...how shall we say...."determined" as Weims are, he protested quite fiercely the first few walks.

He is getting much better - walks beside me now and only pulls occasionally. A quick tug of the leash and a corrective word (yep - I use the Cesar "shhhhhhh") usually snaps him out of it.

If he really pulls, I stop walking and make him sit until he is calm. Then we start again. It's been working really well for me.

I think patience and consistency are the key. (a treat in the pocket helps when he's being a realllllly good boy, too)

tltrooster · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:24 am Post subject:

I thought the heel position was only for when you were walking him and
come across people or other dogs. I let champ walk loose leash, but
when we encounter another person with a dog, we heel. After we pass
he goes back to loose leash. I could be wrong, but it works for us.

DukesMom · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

I do make my dogs heel when we are walking. My husband does not (he only walks Duke) and I don't have a problem with that. I prefer to take advantage of the "training" part of the walk, since I am their trainer. I personally think that once they have mastered "heel" it's then ok to let them roam freely on a leash as long as they will come to heel when told to. Duke is very well trained at heel and when my husband walks him on a loose leash he walks right at his side usually....although not in a heel position but he is not pulling and running all over. Gracie is in training at heel and if you let her on a loose leash she is a maniac. I do not let my husband walk her. What made the world of difference for both of my dogs is a prong collar. Duke was a crazy puller until I bought the prong collar. I just got one for Gracie and immediately she was a different dog....no pulling whatsoever and she is beautiful at heeling. We've tried putting Duke back on a regular collar and he's a different dog. Won't heel and pulling like a crazy dog....it's strange but he knows the difference.

DukesMom · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:34 am Post subject:

Oh and how I started them when they were real young? We would walk until they pull, then stop (with a command...I use "wait") until the leash goes loose and then begin walking again. It takes alot of patience and you don't make it far to begin with but consistency is the key. Just do it over and over and over until they get it. Make sure you are totally tuned in to your dog and they tuned in to you. Obviously the younger they are the less amount of time you spend doing it. A 10 minute lesson say 3 times a day is great with a real young puppy. You won't think they are getting it until about a week or two later and then all of a sudden they just do what you want! And you kinda go "hey they get it!". I think alot of people get frustrated at the onset and don't continue because they don't think their dog is getting it. Trust me, be patient and do it over and over and over and they WILL get it! These dogs are very smart!

GrommysMommy · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

Thanks, that's great advice, I'm hoping they give us pointers when we start puppy classes on Monday too.
I will definitely keep trying it, as I love walking with him already, we just need a little help.
Thanks again!

youhavenoidea · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

Slade walks in a heel position on-leash, whenever we go out, and it will remain that way until he has a solid enough foundation to better understand boundaries and "work time" vs. "play time".

By not letting him wander, sniff, or pull, he essentially always has expectations to meet, and a "job" to do when we walk - keeping his attention on me, as he is always looking for guidance from me. He also sits before crossing any intersection.

I feel it is important to have this kind of structure early, even though it may be cute / easy to let a 15 - 20 lb puppy wander on his own devices.

Do I REALLY want to wait until he weighs 50 lbs to START training on leash manners?

Nope.

DukesMom · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:

Your welcome! Wink

Just don't get frustrated and don't give up! He may not get it right away but he will eventually. And always end a training session on a good note (ie him doing what he was told). My Duke is now 10 months old and boy has he come a long way! Gracie is 7 months and still a work in progress Very Happy

Asarra · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

NenaGunther · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

When we walk our dogs, they are always next to us in heel position, believe me it hasn't been easy with Gunther, but now he is a joy to walk.
The walk is not only good for them but it instills who is the pack leader. Pack leaders make choices for the rest of the pack. Pack leaders always go first.
We practice that not only on our walks, but with doorways, stairs, etc.

It is a big part of the training and great progress we've made with Gunther. Very Happy

youhavenoidea · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

GrommysMommy · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:47 am Post subject:

I do that with Gromit, he is doing VERY well with it, the problem is trying to get my Boyfriend to do the same. Rolling Eyes

peppernaei · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

youhavenoidea · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: