Hi Everyone, The thing I have probably spent the most time training is loose lead walking.Dexter walks lovely on a flat collar and lead in places we know.In new areas he can be a bit 'pully' but settles down when I either up the treats or consistently stop until he gives me slack. In preparation for travelling this Summer I have varied our walks to take in new lots of new routes ....it takes him about 3 walks on a new route to keep himself together and walk nicely. My problem areas are : 1.Walking with other dogs on lead I've practised as much as I can on some 121's and he is almost perfect in the training school environment.....I then don't get much chance to practice when I'm out in 'real life' .I feel like it's annoying for friends to have to keep stop/starting with me and if I let them go ahead he pulls to catch up.Don't get me wrong.....he isn't dreadful but he could be better,and my worry is mainly in allowing this I'm diluting our skills. 2.Other people taking his lead to walk him Like he seriously takes the micky!Me,My dog walker and my Hubby are the only ones that walk him on lead ...and we get results based on that order of walking.If anyone else takes his lead he pulls off all over the place to sniff. 1 is going to happen lot over the Summer....and 2 will need to happen when my SIL minds him for a day so I can get to a commitment I can't change..... So I'm toying with getting his head collar out ..it's a Gen Con one.He didn't love it but he tolerated it when I needed it but I probably rushed him getting accustomed to it........to use it I would have to have him not bothered by it at all. I'm struggling with the idea as it feels like a MASSIVE backward step when I've put the time in to get him walking nicely.I just have the dread that he will become a pulling mess if he gets the opportunity to reward himself for 2 months over the Summer .... Does anyone else fall back on them to help out at times when you know you aren't proofed? Thanks x
I do wonder if you expect a bit too much.... Charlie will definitely fuss on his lead in a new, exciting place and it will take me some time to get him to walk properly. I have a lot of stopping and starting and people have to wait for me to do my calming circles. He stays on his flat collar for this (he will put tension on the lead, but not choke himself). I carry on as normal, and I keep working on it. Over time, he is getting better and better at being able to walk on lead in a new place. Walk with friends who understand what you are doing, and start off by walking in front if the other dogs are better on their leads than Dex and just do a minute at a time behind the other dogs. If Charlie and I get to walk with you, we wouldn't mind a bit, and you'll probably be the one waiting for me to get Charlie to walk properly! I think it's the same for loads of dogs, to be honest. It wouldn't enter my head to think about using a head collar, you've just got to keep training. Look at it the other way - by using a device instead of training, you pass up all those wonderful opportunities to train! If you don't want your SIL to walk him, then he doesn't get a walk that day. He'll be fine - and yes, he will go to the loo in the garden if he really needs to go. Or have her walk him on his harness, if he pulls with other people anyway, it won't do anything negative for his training with you.
Obi goes on walks with his daycare and they use a head halter for all the dogs (not sure of the brand but it's nothing fancy). It's the one thing I don't love about this daycare. But it doesn't kill him and his behaviour is normal (I've seen them walk him in it). The alternative is no daycare, which is not an option. So don't feel bad if you think that a head halter is worth trying for your peace of mind.
Oh heck....do you think so...maybe my judgement is a bit askew? When Members come along seeking help with loose lead walking I am the biggest Champion of using training and practice and not solely relying on a device .... Ok,so that will only be you ,Barbara and any other lovely Forum folk I manage to catch up with I just feel a nuisance and that I'm holding everyone up ,especially friends trying to just walk their dog and get onto the next oart of their day.To be honest and not being at all smug about it Dexter is actually the best lead walker of all the dogs I walk with ....so maybe it's not that bad.... On this occasion I'll be able to give him a really good run before I drop him off and then I'll be back by mid afternoon the next day to give him a really good run in the eve so toilet trips will be enough ,you are right..... Maybe I over think :rollseyes: He just lost his marbles a bit at the weekend when we went to my friends showjumping competition .....lots of smells,horses and a few dogs.Chris had another dog on lead and was walking in front of us too...... Ok,maybe I'll ditch head collar desensitisation and focus on the car harness this week! ::
Thanks Rachael ,I knew Obi had to for daycare and it was a decision that was out of your control... Rosie in the face of Pongo's brute strength you always maintain your sense of humour....owning a lab ,I've come to realise that THAT is far more important than maintaining your sense of dignity!!!!!!!
I have a story, Angela...the first time I walked with a certain pack of dogs one of the classes I go to, it was awful. We were walking through farms and countryside. Charlie was pulling and I had to keep up with the group....I just kept doing the best I could. I did get left behind at times, and had to catch up when they stopped. I put him on his back fastening harness and he did pull quite a bit, but wasn't harming himself. We were out for 3 hours, he got a bit better at the end of the second hour.... Another owner there said to me "just put him on a figure of 8 slip lead for goodness sake" - and then I noticed! 3 people had their dogs on slip leads twisted into a figure of 8! It wasn't just me that had trouble! Well I refused to do that, and I kept going, and I kept trying. Now, if we do that walk, Charlie can keep a loose lead. The 3 people that had their dogs on a figure of 8 slip lead that first time, still have their dogs on a figure of 8 slip lead.
Well as you all know I use head collars and I know I'm repeating myself for the umpteenth time. My dogs have no problem with them never have had they certainly don't shut down that's for sure. My dogs walk on a loose lead in head collars and on their flat collar (don't need head collars on our land) I've trained both and using a head collar doesn't affect how they walk on a flat collar. The head collar is for safety reasons. I would say though a fixed action head collar is much better than a figure of 8 or a Halti type. They work like a horses head collar so they don't tighten and slacken around the muzzle which can irritate and I think is probably what most dogs object to. I totally agree that training, practise and patience is much better than relying on a device but sometimes they are a necessary evil. A head collar doesn't make my dogs calmer in new situations though so I'm not sure how much using a headcollar on Dexter would help Angela even if you decided to. It may help to stop him pulling because they reduce the strength of the dog but unless Dexter is a dog that shuts down in a head collar in my experience it won't stop him wanting to dive about sniffing all the new smells or bouncing about at the new people he meets. Ok my dogs don't bounce about at new people but they do with certain family and friends. Try not to worry about it until it happens, you never know Dexter might surprise you and if he does get excited just do what you'd do at home. I'm sure the people you walk with won't mind waiting you and Dexter have travelled along way to see them after all.
They are also really uncool, you may as well wear a T-shirt printed with "yes, I failed at training loose lead waking". Yes, yes, I know sometimes they are critical safety devices etc. and in those situations looking cool is a shallow and trivial point....but, still...if they are not critical then...
Print me off a T shirt I'm happy to look uncool. If people assume because a headcollar is used the dog can't walk on a loose lead than that's ok a bit like people assuming a headcollar is a muzzle and the dog is vicious. It's their mistake not mine
Let's face it Obi still pulls like a train. I put him in a harness and live with it but then I'm not exactly small and delicate I have enough paraphernalia without adding headcollars to it. In theory I'm not a fan but I have no practical experience to base that on. You should do whatever you feel happy doing. Dexter will be fine without being walked by your sister if she's not confident.
Ps I've never been cool and since having dogs and a child I have very little pride left. Any I cling to will usually be swiftly removed by one or the other
I'm with you @Jen for the t-shirt and I don't even use a head collar. I do, however, believe in using what works for you and your dog, and if that's a head collar, so what. People are, of course, entitled to think what they like, if it keeps their dog away from mine while I'm walking that can seem like a bonus.
I could fill a wardrobe with T-shirts beginning "Yes, I failed at training....[fill in blank]". Pongo doesn't seem to care what I wear.
The thing is, sure, there are a few reactive dogs that need a headcollar for safety - or whatever, the handler is physically not up to a strong dog that might pull - but the vast majority of people are using a headcollar because they haven't been able to train their dog to walk on a loose lead. And yes, it's perfectly understandable that if someone really needs a headcollar because otherwise it would mean no walk for the dog, then it's best to use a headcollar. Of course, whatever the least worse outcome is for the dog. Otherwise - if you don't fall into the bucket of 'special case' - get out the sardines, get out your clicker, and train your dog to walk on a loose lead. And just keep training.
Well Angela, I think Dexter is going to be in a new country, with other people on new and possibly very exciting walks, experiencing things he hasn't before, different animals, birds etc. I for one would be doing what made me feel most comfortable and secure in those situations as long as Dexter is happy, whether that's a harness or head collar until you access how he reacts. You can always carry different training tools with you and use them as you see fit. Who cares about being cool. I can only put myself in the situation of taking Hattie & Charlie to Dubai and how they would behave so you shouldn't feel any different xx
I'm sure Dex is a very, very cool dog though. Far too cool to have his head trussed up like a Christmas turkey.
