Re: How to walk The device you use is only a small part of the equation if we're talking about achieving nice, loose lead walking. It has to be about technique: - never let your dog pull you a step. Make sure you are 100% consistent on this - only walk forward when the lead is loose - reward spontaneous loose lead walking, using excellent treats, and actively look for opportunities to do this - be unpredictable in your chosen path and change direction often (as has been said) without yanking on the lead - practise in non-distracting environments first and, once mastered, gradually shift to more and more distracting environments
Re: How to walk Re this technique; "- reward spontaneous loose lead walking, using excellent treats, and actively look for opportunities to do this" At all times? Or only if the dog is walking along blissfully unaware? By that I mean, I do this with Kenzi but I swear she's often looking at me waiting for the treat, so not sure if she's learning or just being a smartie pants & getting a 'free' treat
Re: How to walk Reward frequently at first and then start to extend the times between treats - so you expect longer periods of good walking before a treat is delivered. I'd say your dog has definitely learned that loose lead walking earns a treat and is doing it specifically to make you pay up That's what operant conditioning is all about - the dog getting what it wants by displaying behaviours that we want You don't have to use treats to teach loose lead walking though - you can do the entire thing just using the 'I will stop if you pull and we only go if the lead is loose' approach. The reward is being able to continue to walk and that is usually plenty as far as rewards go
Re: How to walk I'm re-reading a Karen Pryor book - she suggests having the dog on a flat collar or harness, with the lead tied to your waist. So you cannot give a lead check, you cannot tighten the lead yourself, and the only thing you can do is stop walking, and C&T for the correct position. I might try this when we're doing our walk passed distractions training, I'm sure I gather the lead up without thinking.
Re: How to walk [quote author=JulieT link=topic=6839.msg93275#msg93275 date=1404507658] I'm re-reading a Karen Pryor book - she suggests having the dog on a flat collar or harness, with the lead tied to your waist. So you cannot give a lead check, you cannot tighten the lead yourself, and the only thing you can do is stop walking, and C&T for the correct position. I might try this when we're doing our walk passed distractions training, I'm sure I gather the lead up without thinking. [/quote] Might be a little dangerous with a bad puller and wouldn't the lead tighten as the dog tries to pull? Just to add I know Charlie isn't a bad puller but just thinking about other owners who might think of using this technique
Re: How to walk When teaching heeling at our dog club handlers are encouraged to tie the lead round their waist to stop them yanking on it. Our dog walkers each walk with 6 dogs attached to a belt. Admittedly they're all wearing head collars... And they all seem to behave well for the walkers. Since the dog is attached lower it's harder for them to pull you over (less leverage). The tricky bit, though, is if the dog doesn't want to stay on one side - then you can get wrapped in the lead (which is the main reason I just hold my lead in my hand).
Re: How to walk [quote author=Oberon link=topic=6839.msg93281#msg93281 date=1404508414] Since the dog is attached lower it's harder for them to pull you over (less leverage). [/quote] Depends on your weight/height versus the dogs. Charlie 1 Helen 0 I certainly wouldn't chance it, I would feel I had less control and it's a pretty alien concept.
Re: How to walk Definitely Rachael Julie if you try it could please let us know how you get on? thanks x
Re: How to walk The section in the book is about a confirmed puller - indeed the book is quite insistent about using a waist lead. It would be sensible to get a proper swivel belt one, maybe. The book is a bit old, and the pictures aren't that clear, but they seem to just tie the lead around their waists. There is a lot more detail in the book, but the main reason (in the section about a dog with a very bad pulling habit) is given as: "...tie the lead to your waist so you won't be tempted to yank the dog around or pull back. Most real pullers have actually been trained to pull forward by their owners constantly pulling back, while nevertheless letting their dog go wherever it wants" If anyone is interested, the book is the early Karen Pryor 1999 book (reprinted 2013) - clicker training for dogs.
Re: How to walk Rachael - yep we also stop & wait until lead is relaxed before moving, it does work, but as with most things requires consistency, patience & time. I've actually noticed she does the same thing walking off lead so it's nice to see her getting it, we just need to work on the sharp pulls when catching a scent or seeing some food on the ground.
Re: How to walk I have exactly this issue with Tatze. She walks beautifully to heel 99.9% of the time. But 0.1% sudden pulling/lunging is all it would take to damage her neck. I used to use a front fastening harness which was perfect for those rare occasions and comfortable for her to wear all the time on walks. But an issue has arrived - she EATS (yes, eats!) the harnesses off herself in the car crate. She has been through four harnesses and a lead this way (plus I have been through many sleepless nights waiting for her to throw them up/pass them) There was no anxiety involved on her part - she just did it as something to do! So I have started using a flat collar. But, in unknown situations, I still pop a harness on. NO more wearing it unsupervised 'tho! It took me too long to learn that lesson : For that reason (the 0.1% sudden pulls) I personally wouldn't ever use a slip lead.
Re: How to walk All you Lab lovers I am overwhelmed by the stupendous response I got which just goes on to reiterate the commonality of the problem. Unfortunately all this has left me totally confused . So if someone who is an authority maybe the moderator could just help put it down in bullet points what to do, it would be more helpful, as someone wants to know- I am from India and thankfully whatever is available anywhere else in the world is available here and in good quantities and cheaper too
Re: How to walk Sorry about it having all become confusing - I certainly don't blame you for wondering what on earth to do as the conversation has drifted quite a bit. I would say that you should use whatever you are most comfortable with out of a flat collar and lead or a harness and lead. If you use a harness I would advise you to use a harness that has a lead attachment that is on the dog's back (personally I find that the ones that fasten at the front move about a lot if the dog pulls and the lead gets tangled round the dog's neck). Once you have the equipment that you are happy with I would do the following: - put your collar or harness and lead on your dog - have lots of nice treats in a treat bag strapped around your waist - start off on your walk - If the lead tightens, STOP. WAIT. You are waiting for the dog to move in a way that make the lead go slack or loose (even just a little bit) - As soon as the dog moves in a way that makes the lead slightly slack again IMMEDIATELY start walking again. - Repeat this EVERY time the dog pulls on the lead - do not let your dog pull you a single step - if your dog takes a couple of steps with the lead loose, praise him and give him a treat. It is fine to have the food in your hand at first to get his attention to keep him walking nicely. - change direction often by calling your dog to you and setting off in the new direction - practise this in non-distracting environments first, like in your yard, and, once that is going well, shift to a more distracting place The general rule is to stop as soon as the lead goes tight. Only move ahead when the lead is loose. You will not get very far at first. That is fine!! Think of it as a training session, not a walk. Also, make sure you are never the one to put pressure on the lead. If the lead tightens it should only be because of the dog, never because of you.
Re: How to walk Just to add.... Think about the position you want you dog to walk in. On your left side only? Or on either side as long as the lead is loose? If you want him to walk on one side only you will need to show him that's what you want by using a treat to 'lure' him into the correct position. You will regularly need to encourage him back into that position with a treat. Only give him the treats when he is walking in the position you want. If you don't care which side he is on as long as he's not pulling then you simply need to reward him when he's walking without pulling.
Re: How to walk And do read these articles that Angela (Dexter) linked to on page 1 of this thread [quote author=Dexter link=topic=6839.msg92933#msg92933 date=1404377694] Hi Anil, I had big pulling problems and had to start retraining loose lead walking from scratch. I used the following articles from the main site together with a front fastening harness and a head collar that I always call a halti but wasn't ...sorry that sounds confusing :-[ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/establishing-a-heel-position-for-your-labrador/ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/walking-with-your-labrador-at-heel/ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/walking-your-labrador-on-a-loose-lead/ There are plenty of other helpful articles too if you search loose lead walking / heel position It takes a lot of practice and consistency especially with an established puller,it's not easy and I sympathise enormously,good luck,don't give up,you will be able to make improvements with some training Angela [/quote]
