So, we've had a recall wobble which has caused me to scale back the tentative steps we were taking in letting Simba off-lead. Having thought about it, I decided to try the long line (for those who don't know, a long nylon leash that you attach to the dog and let drag behind them, a bit of a "security blanket" for the owner as you can quickly grab it before they run too far off). It's working great! Today hubs and I took Simba to our happy place trails, and we had a great walk. It's interesting, he definitely knows the leash is there, there is a faint weight of it, and the sound of it whiz zing through the grass behind him. This is the second time there with it. I brought along some high-value treats and my whistle, and did some recalls while he was on the lead as well as tossing the treats (kibble) to encourage him to stay close. Working like a charm. Both times we have taken the lead off to see how he goes for short periods during the walk. It's interesting - he definitely behaves differently with it off. He will break into a run, for example, which he doesn't do when the lead is on. I used the whistle a couple times while he was off lead, as well, to good result. It's been a happy compromise for us right now, I cans take him for a walk and allow him to have some freedom, but with the knowledge that he isn't going to escape, it takes the stress out of the walk. And it allows me to do some whistle training while we are out and about. It's great! Anyone else use this, and does it work for you? Helen, I know you do....
Re: Loving the long line Sounds fabulous I don't use it, but I would if I needed to - it's a great tool. I used it when my last dog was a puppy though, exactly as you are doing it.
Re: Loving the long line I used a long line when Charlie first had some off lead time at the end of his recovery. I used it in case I had to stop him doing too much, and also because I wasn't at all sure of his recall and needed to find out what I had. It did the job, it got Charlie back into the swing of things, and gave me some confidence. Like you, I'm sure Charlie knew when he had it on, so I don't think it contributed to improving his recall a lot. But I do think it helped a bit. It helped re-establish some good walk habits I think. The thing that has helped the most is using the clicker to reward attention - I always rewarded attention but not with a clicker and not doing anything else but watching for the moment I could do so. So for about 20 walks now, I've just had Charlie off lead and I've done nothing but focus on him and clicked the instant he looks at me - for the whole walk, I've never missed. Even when i think Charlie must be overflowing with chicken. I've needed a massive amount of chicken! Just the most incredible amount. image by julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Re: Loving the long line You could be mean and make your pieces smaller I was in a class the other day and one handler was giving his dog pieces of sausage about an inch long! It was a Labrador so it wasn't going to fill up this side of the next Ice Age, but, still....
Re: Loving the long line [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7376.msg102285#msg102285 date=1408256591] You could be mean and make your pieces smaller [/quote] Yes, absolutely. These ones were cut big enough for throwing in grass too so I could do the training exercises on the walk. The student I walk with has 2 treat bags. One for large treats, one for small. Must get more organised. Do feel like a walking pet shop now - whistle, clicker, tug toy, treats, balls...
Re: Loving the long line Your last post made me chuckle Julie - I feel exactly like a walking pet shop nowadays out on my walks too! . I often walk past people with their tiny little well behaved dogs trotting past them with their owners dressed up to the nines with no visible dog paraphernalia. Whilst there I am with numerous treat bags with different treats, a clicker, a whistle and a ruck sack with all of Molly's favourite toys in. Not to mention the slobber all down my walking trousers! Still, I wouldn't change it for the world... Vikki
Re: Loving the long line Hi Lisa , so pleased that the long line is proving helpful for you and Simba too , I used one for Millie when we first had her, she was an unknown entity with regards to obedience , they are fantastic , glad its helping
Re: Loving the long line I also love long lines. We only used one for about two weeks when we first got Penny but I would definite recommend them for when you want to fife your dog more freedom but aren't sure of their recall or you are training.
Re: Loving the long line You're all a witty bunch. This thread has made me laugh. As for long lines. A godsend.After being asked not to come back to training class with Cassie I realised I was on my own. So bought more books and an Ancol 50 feet long line. You're right , it does give you more confidence. It meant Cassie could get let off in an empty field and I could stand on lead if another dog entered the field. Attach her to her walking lead and walk on by the other dog. Thanks to that line I have gained in confidence from avoiding dogs while out with Cassie completely, to being able to walk past them while she's on a lead. In January 2013 hubby, Cassie and I rented a cottage in Caithness. On a drive around the area . On the way back the snow started falling. Within half an hour everything was white. The driving was getting slower and as we turned a bend we were met by a man who's car was in the ditch. He asked if we could help as his wife was in their van in a ditch farther on, he had been going to rescue her. Of coarse we would help. My husband decided he would be able to pull the van back onto the road rather than the car, it was in the ditch. In going into the boot of our landrover he discovered that he had no tow rope. You've guessed it, the long training line.So as Cassie looked on hubby removed the line, kept doubling it up and attached it to both van and landrover. I have to say I wasn't convinced, but it worked. The van was back on the road and I now had a 30 foot line and some small pieces. Of coarse the clip was attached to one of the small pieces. I have since purchased another one, as I would never be without a long line now.
Re: Loving the long line So glad it's working and giving you confidence Lisa,you won't need it forever.... I've only started using one recently ......the nearest bit of desert I take Dexter too when we are watching our time is quite well used by some of the labourers at the weekends .......for bbqs,eating together ,socializing ,bless them they haven't got much in the way of options for these things Anyway they don't always clear up after themselves and I've had one too many 'stay aways'now with picnic debris Dexter has found ......I try to avoid this area but if I do walk there now I pop him on his long line....when his nose goes up and he's got a scent it's a great help to grab him..he sometimes still gets to what he wants but I can manage getting it off him much better. His leave it isn't actually that bad but I have to have seen the thing I want him to leave before he gets too focused .....if he sees/smells it before me,I've had it! X
Re: Loving the long line Ah Lisa this is lovely to hear and I agree it just gives you that confidence and Simba his bit of freedom whilst working on the recall. We put Charlie on the long line sometimes just to keep working on that recall, we do a lot of reinforcing it on his way back but not so keen to test on the way out if you know what I mean, always scared of a non response so the long line is great for this and helps ingraine it hopefully : xx
Re: Loving the long line It is a wonderful tool, for sure. Oh, the things I have learned on this forum!! ;D ;D
Re: Loving the long line well done lisa, i used one when i was having trouble with his recall, i must be very mean i now only feed jasper kibble for treats, i don't use the whistle or clicker every thing seems to have clicked with him, i just use verbal commands and hand signals, he stays close to me nowadays he is maturing well
Re: Loving the long line I love the long line too (50 ft). I paid $13 for it on Amazon when Tucker was 3.5 months and it has been the best purchase. I'm less stressed and Tucker (5 months) has a fair amount of freedom. We have been practicing recall on the long line for a while This week I have started letting him off the leash while practicing recall with lots of kibble treats. I am very happy with the results so far. I actually have a good whistle and hand commands and he comes a running! I will gradually increase his freedom based on the results. I also do notice that Tucker definitely knows the difference being on or off lead.
Re: Loving the long line I hate the long leashes, having been on the scary wrong end of one last year during recuperation after a hip replacement. A young out-of-control lab ran around my legs, I was sure I was going to fall. Really, the woman STILL didn't have any control over the dog, even though she had the long line attached to him. It was lethal. He was charging around, leaping up at me, and she was frantically trying to get near enough to him to stop him pulling me over. So, if you are using a long line, just be aware of what is going on around you, and make sure you pounce on the lead BEFORE the dog charges up to strangers!!!
Re: Loving the long line I do agree with Karen in part - I used to think this about long lines and came back from using one in the park when Charlie was a pup and chopped it up, I thought it was so dangerous. That taught it a lesson. ;D ;D ;D I recently used one again when Charlie was older and and I used it on an empty rugby field to see what recall I had. He was much, much better. And it was useful. I also used an extendable lead, but I reckon having a dog that does not pull on any kind of lead is needed for that one. Using a long line as a lead, to hang onto your dog, in a busy place - and if that dog is young, bouncy and rushing around...that is a recipe for disaster.
Re: Loving the long line Yes, I totally see the danger in it. I would never use it in a busy place. My use of it is not really as a leash but as a tool in the recall training. The trails I use are not busy, and generally we have lots of warning if someone is getting closer. Then I can grab the leash (close to the body) and often I will then use his harness to keep him close (it has a convenient "handle"). But as you say, Julie, he's pretty much past the "let's jump up on the humans" trick while on a walk. Unless they have food, of course. Then all bets are off....
