Hey everyone, So Yalom seems to have taken several steps backward on loose lead walking in the past week. I'm guessing this happens sometimes, I remember @Michael A Brooks reminding me that training isn't a constant upward trajectory earlier on in the summer. However, I feel like an idiot walking along when he lunges when he smells something he wants to investigate. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips. Do I go back to basics, rewarding every few steps for a loose lead? All thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
Hi @RuthElizabeth - how did you get on with the wooden chews for little Yalom? Has it helped him to calm down in the evenings. I don't know about you but the Clicker Retrieve training seems to really tire Luna out - she can barely keep her eyes open after about 8pm Hope it's having a similar effect for you guys too. We are having a really rubbish time with the loose lead walking too. My other half is putting most of the miles in to be honest because I find her too strong for me when she lunges and pulls at a smell. He's done a great job at stopping every time she pulls and she will walk a bit more sensibly for longer periods of time now (by that I mean 10 seconds rather than a millisecond). She has two walks (stopping every few steps) a day and we have been doing this for 2 months every day. It's so disheartening that it's not improving that much - clearly we're not doing it properly. Even smelly fishy treats held at our knee are not as interesting as the grass. And if a bird or squirrel goes past, then frankly I don't think a bowl of Lily's Kitchen wet food would tempt her away! We're starting a different obedience class tomorrow so hopefully they'll give us a few tips that can work. Good luck with Yalom too - if I get any breakthroughs then I'll let you know.
Hhi @RuthElizabeth Let the the area he wants to sniff be a reward for heeling, or not pulling. That is, if he walks one metre next to you, loose lead and all, give him permission to sniff the area. When he lhas finishef and ooks at you reward him for doing so. Try walking another metre. Again, if no lunging, he gets permission to sniff. The treats you've got just don't compete with the scent. So use the scent in your training. He gets to smell when he stops pulling. Over many repetitions reset the bar, he has to walk properly for 2 metres, then 3 metres, then, .... Take it slowly in terms of progression. He has to work out what are the rules of the game. And they may be changining in terms of the distance required for him to walk properly. Don't require 10 metres too quickly. Recall the moral of the hare and the tortoise story. Aesop must have owned a dog, and I bet, was a good dog trainer. Here's hoping for another hill/mountain of progress.
Hey @LoopyLuna - we had a great evening yesterday, I followed what you've been doing and he had a good chew for a while, then lay with me with me treating for duration laying down, and then he wandered off and went to sleep at 8pm! I think the training is helping too, keeps that brain going during the day which always tires him out far more than physical exercise does. The lead walking is so disheartening, especially as he had been getting really good at it. I guess we just have to keep going and we'll get there in the end. Thanks @Michael A Brooks, stellar advice as always. You're right, the treats just are nowhere near as exciting as the smells. I will use the scent as reward as you say. We'll keep in slow and steady though. I think you're 100% correct about Aesop owning a dog. Puppies certainly bring us the gift of patience.
So on our walk today we managed about 3 stints of nice walking, which was lovely. He nearly dislocated my shoulder on the other bits (unfortunately a real possibility due to my genetically faulty collagen). Allowing him to sniff as a reward works well, so thanks @Michael A Brooks. Even tuna is no match for all those scents! It is also much worse in a busy place where there are more dogs, as it just adds to his lack of focus, so I will stick to quieter routes for now.
Awesome - I'm so pleased . It's amazing how much chewing relaxes them. And as long as they're chewing the right thing (and not the chair leg or the cat) then it's relaxing for us too. Win win.
