 The next two protocols I'm going to talk about require that you begin, and have a thorough understanding, of my first blog on the subject of leashwork here: http://www.alldogstoronto.com/the-all-dogs-blog/leash-work-part-one-how-to-walk-without-pulling Protocol #2: The Turnabout With this protocol, be sure to practice the Start/Stop method, except this time we're going to add a surprise. Perhaps, during your walk together, your dog stops to investigate something smelly in the grass alongside the sidewalk or trail you're walking along, and you walk ahead a little distance. At this point, quickly and inconspicuously get a treat ready. Once he catches up with you, and before he passes you completely, quickly put the treat in front of your dog's nose and lure him around to walk in the opposite direction with you. This will allow you to put the dog at your side - precisely where you want him, and the moment you do, release the treat!  If you're thinking this requires great timing, you're quite correct! As you continue walking together, if your dog stays in the heel position (shoulder in line with your thigh), be sure to double down on the praise and the treats as you move along. What you're going to find is that your dog, non-plussed about traversing the same old territory he just walked down a moment ago, won't be as eager to pull and explore ahead of you. What's more, your dog will begin to understand that you will both progress together on your walk if he doesn't pull ahead of you.
What's more, if you're consistent about it, your dog will also learn that staying by your side earns him tasty treats during his walk. That's a two-in-one deal, and I can't think of a better arrangement than that!
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 Ah, the ever-elusive loose leash walking dog. As dog owners, we dream of experiencing this. Our wonderful dogs, walking at a regular pace at our side, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds together in perfect harmony. And yet, unbridled pulling on walks remains one of the most common "problems" dog owners experience. The bigger the dog, the bigger the problem, particularly in terms of sore elbow joints and shoulders. So how do we teach our dogs, big and small, to walk on a loose leash at our sides? In this blog, I'm going to cover three common methods to achieve this. Please note that the younger your dog is when you begin this work, the easier it is to train and to maintain going forward.  Protocol #1. Start/Stop Method This one is pretty straightforward. Each and every time your dog pulls ahead and your leash becomes taut as a result, come to a complete stop. Your dog will immediately wonder what on earth is going on. How come we're not walking? He will probably sniff about, turn around to look at you, and may even give you a nice sit. Once you feel the leash go slack and you see your dog relax, begin to walk again. This allows your dog to explore his walking environment, and begins the process of communicating the relationship between a tight leash and a dead stop. Now, you may think that's as far as it goes. Not quite... After 10-15 repetitions of the Start/Stop method mentioned above, you can trust that your dog is going to sort out what's happening. In fact, your dog is going to allow his shoulders and body to relax the moment he feels the leash go tight - and it is going to happen so fast that you won't have a chance to come to a full stop. At this moment it is critical that you reward your dog with praise and treats in an over-the-top manner. Be liberal with your recognition! The dog now believes that he is responsible for all of this wondrous praise - what a good boy!  If, however, you do not acknowledge your dog for this incredible cognitive accomplishment the split second it happens, the connection will be lost. Your dog will assume that he has confused his instructions and is likely to revert to the same old pulling behavior. The cue your dog is giving you here is subtle, and occurs before you visually see what's happening. It's an important distinction - for this method to work, you must rely on your sense of touch - your ability to feel the tightness of the leash go slack, as opposed being able to see it with your eyes.
Not an easy task, I promise you, but it can be done! With practice, a loose leash walking dog will be yours in no time at all. Join me next week for part two of my loose leash walking series, and thanks for reading! |
AuthorCamille Salter is the founder of All Dogs Toronto and a certified, knowledge-assessed dog trainer (CPDT-KA). She is the author of two books on dog behavior: Pandemic Puppy, Decoding the Dog Park, and the Big Book of Dog Training. Archives
July 2022
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Books On Dogs and Dog Behavior by Camille Salter, CPDT-KA
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Urban dog parks are fraught with risk. These environments host to an ever-changing assemblage of dogs with different backgrounds, life experiences, tolerances, and drives. Learn how to navigate them with confidence, safety, and skill with this navigation guide designed for the active dog parent in mind. "Pandemic Puppy" is a mini-book designed for the undersocialized puppy, and outlines best practices for puppy rearing, socialization during a pandemic, obedience, attention, calming behaviors, and compliance. All delivered in a force-free, scientific manner. Read this book. Once you have these lessons under your wing, you and your puppy will soar with excellence and never look back.
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