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Leash work, Part 2: how to walk without pulling

2/27/2018

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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! 

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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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Leash work, Part One: how to Walk without Pulling

2/16/2018

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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. 

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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! 

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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! 

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    Author

    Camille 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. 

    Camille studies neuroscience, applied animal behavior, canine  physiology and nutrition, ethical behavior analysis, evolutionary behavior psychology, neural networks, stress-free animal handling, behavior economics, coaching and consulting. 

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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.​
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"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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What Our Clients Are Saying

I adopted Frank not even a month ago. I’ve been training him myself, and got him to do ’sit,’ ‘down,’ ‘come,’ and ‘wait,’ at home. But when we went outside, it was a different story: he got a bit too excited, and that led to pulling on the leash, which wasn’t a pleasant experience for either of us. He never made eye contact with me, and calling his name and offering treats of all sorts didn’t do much, either. Working with Camille turned this around after just one session — she was so patient and calm with both me and Frank, and taught me how I could get Frank to connect the dots between paying attention to me and getting food. Since then, he comes and sits upon command even in the most distracting situations like being surrounded by other dogs in a park with firetruck siren blaring in the background. It’s been so rewarding to start developing this bond with Frank that will last a lifetime. Thank you Camille!” - Maythe Han

"There is only one word to describe Camille: AMAZING. My dog developed separation anxiety during the pandemic. I couldn't even use the washroom without my dog having a panic attack and after a single session and doing the homework, I'm suddenly leaving her alone for 3 hours like it's nothing. MIRACLE. Also, the GTA is filled with irresponsible dog owners who let their untrained dogs off leash in clearly on-leash areas. They sometimes come after us. It's very scary especially since if my dog reacts, she can get in trouble despite them breaking the law and us following it. Camille walked my dog and kept her calm as these inconsiderate owners and their dogs ran about. She teaches dogs and trains people. It was like watching a magician. I'll admit, I had my reservations our first session just based on the steep price, but after working with Camille I know without a doubt she is worth all that and more. Her methods are not for people looking for an easy fix with minimum work. You need to do the homework and put in the time. If you need a dog trainer, there is no one I recommend more than Camille. She will care for your dog like its her own. And just be aware, sometimes she will say things you won't like, but need to hear. When I heard my dog's timeline for separation anxiety was a few months and that I would need to keep her in daycare to avoid worsening things, I was pretty disheartened. Daycare isn't cheap. But she was giving me her professional and realistic opinion and it ultimately paid off. It really REALLY paid off. I honestly can't say enough about this canine miracle worker." - Evalina Ho

"Camille is a brilliant, caring and amazing trainer. She explains a range of outcomes and effort levels and helps navigate the emotional trials of puppyhood.

We are grateful for her knowledge and weekly check-ins to ensure we are on the right path with Hermes (our dog).

We truly support her positive reinforcement approach to dog training and are very satisfied with the results." - Graham Knowles

"I cannot say enough positive things about Camille Salter, the owner of All Dogs. From the moment my rescue dog and I met Camille, I knew she would work wonders. Her demeanor, grace and confidence made my dog fall in love her instantly. She is so incredibly knowledgeable that I try to soak up as much information as I can from her.

I highly highly recommend Camille Salter and All Dogs. Whether you are looking for a professional trainer or walking, she will provide you with all of the tools needed to ensure your dog is set up for success.

Camille is truly a pillar in the community of canine training within Toronto.

Thank you Camille!!" - Tessa Vaskas


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