I go about it a bit differently - I treat the hunting lead as though she wasn't on a lead at all. So in other words the default, when on the hunting lead, is right by my leg. No sniffing, no peeing, no walking ahead of me and no lagging behind. And I practiced in quite thick woods, so she learnt that she had to pay attention to me and follow my lead and be very aware of my body language, or we got caught up. That's the theory, anyway! I know that the peeing thing is very different with boys (Poppy only pees once or twice on a walk anyway). Just thinking - if you were to use this in crowded areas, it would have the same effect as being in the woods; the dog would have to be able to walk right close by you, otherwise you would get caught up with other people (who would be less forgiving than trees...)
That is what I'd like Charlie to do - I mean, no sniffing, no peeing, no wandering round. It's achieving that which is proving tricky.... I'm afraid Charlie is a bit too thick skinned to realise when people are annoyed with him. If I used this in a crowded shopping street, he'd just go say Hi to everyone, stick his nose in their bags, and jump up at them when they shouted. I do have a 'close' cue sort of a proper heel, although it wouldn't pass muster in an obedience test, it's tight enough for me - which I'm still working on. And I work on that on a normal lead, kept pretty short, and off lead. We can walk around pets at home on a close cue, and down familiar streets etc. But the lead definitely does tighten from time to time, and that is obviously a cue for him. That is, he doesn't pull, but does try to wander off, and the short lead acts as a cue (or reminder he isn't able to go pee or sniff) for him to return to walking at heel. Off lead, I stay away from things he could pee on (while I'm working on the no peeing or sniffing thing). So, back to the hunting lead. What I LOVE about it is that it's hands free, and I don't want to touch it. I don't want to use it as a normal lead and put my hand on it to keep him close to my leg. I suppose I'm sort of looking at it as a halfway house between my short normal lead (which cues him to stay close) and my off lead heel (which is a billion miles away from being properly proofed). That was the idea, anyway. I still think it's an ok idea.... I think I probably need to stay far enough away from the trees so he can't actually pee on them....and then move closer.
I just put our figures of 8 vid up on Obi's log. I've got his lead attached to my side and I don't touch it with my hands. You can see I have the same problem as you when I get near the grass at the edge of the road. I'll keep doing those 8's until he'll stay with me past the grass then I'll widen the 8 to take in the grass and then I'll find a patch of grass etc. So I feel your challenge
Ah, thanks. I've got to go get ready for work.....maybe got time for a quick peek at the lovely Obi vid before I go....
