Focus And Loose Lead Walking

[Daisy]

I just did a bit of a search but couldn't find anything that would specifically help me in this situation.

I have a 4 or so year old rescue girl that I adopted about 2 years ago. She is a crossbreed, possibly stafford cross but bigger. She is great with other dogs at home, and I have had numerous fosters over the past two years. She is an alpha female, but doesn't pick fights and cohabits peacefully with other dogs at home.

She does have issues when out walking though. I must admit that I have really avoided taking her out because of these problems, but have decided that I would really like to spend some time with her now and work on these issues.

She is very strong on lead and pulls a lot of the time. I do have a sporn harness which helps me to control her but obviously does not help to fix the problem. Any suggestions on how to get her to walk on a loose lead would be appreciated. She is not food motivated, so treats don't really work.

The other issue is on lead aggression. Despite the fact that she is fine with other dogs at home, when we are out and she sees another dog she goes beserk, barking, snarling and lunging towards the other dog. Usually I have just done my best to avoid other dogs, walking at times and in places where I hope there will be no other dogs around, crossing the road or changing direction when I see one in the distance etc. Obviously this does not always work and it would be better if she would behave

When she sees another dog, I cannot get her attention. I realise the theory is to get her to focus on me instead of the other dog, but wondering how to go about this, especially as she is not food motivated. I am going to start taking her to the local dog club this week, but just thought I would ask for any suggestions here - any advice appreciated

I have started taking her out for walks again, and like to go for a long walk, but this is very tiring as she pulls all the time and of course I am always scanning for other dogs (I do try to stay calm so that she doesn't pick up on any vibes from me). Would it be better to just do some short walks rather than a really long one?

Edited June 25, 2007 by Daisy

[Akitaowner]

my first suggestion is that you need to be in control of her - so sort out the loose leash first.

my personal favourite exercise is very simple and ive found very effective: i would also use a martingale collar rather than a harness...

dont 'go for a walk'

outside your house (or even start in your backyard) do the following...

Sit the dog in the heel position to your left and wait until calm (if the dog is fussing around)

watch the dogs face all the time - eventually the dog will look at you even if its for 1 sec with a puzzled look coz your not walking, at that moment say your command 'look/focus/watching' whatever you choose.

and say heel in a bright chirpy voice start walking at your pace....as soon as the dog hits the end of the lead turn around and walk the other direction - everytime the dog reaches the end of the lead change direction. everytime you do this the dog has to pass you to get back out in front, at the point the dog is by your side praise the dog.

For this exercise the dog does not need to actually stay on your left at your heel - just close enough to keep the leash loose. Do this for 2x15 minutes sessions a day and the dog will be mentally stimulated while it tries to work out whats happening and you eventually get a loose leash walking dog!!

i have now built up to running in all different directions and the dog is very focussed on me, once they understand make it a game try to get away from them and they will follow!

be warned tho your neighbours will think you are crazy!!

ETA: re the aggressive behaviour - i would suggest you seek professional advice to understand where the aggression is coming from.

Edited June 25, 2007 by Akitaowner

[laffi]

my first suggestion is that you need to be in control of her - so sort out the loose leash first.

my personal favourite exercise is very simple and ive found very effective: i would also use a martingale collar rather than a harness...

dont 'go for a walk'

outside your house (or even start in your backyard) do the following...

Sit the dog in the heel position to your left and wait until calm (if the dog is fussing around)

watch the dogs face all the time - eventually the dog will look at you even if its for 1 sec with a puzzled look coz your not walking, at that moment say your command 'look/focus/watching' whatever you choose.

and say heel in a bright chirpy voice start walking at your pace....as soon as the dog hits the end of the lead turn around and walk the other direction - everytime the dog reaches the end of the lead change direction. everytime you do this the dog has to pass you to get back out in front, at the point the dog is by your side praise the dog.

For this exercise the dog does not need to actually stay on your left at your heel - just close enough to keep the leash loose. Do this for 2x15 minutes sessions a day and the dog will be mentally stimulated while it tries to work out whats happening and you eventually get a loose leash walking dog!!

i have now built up to running in all different directions and the dog is very focussed on me, once they understand make it a game try to get away from them and they will follow!

be warned tho your neighbours will think you are crazy!!

ETA: re the aggressive behaviour - i would suggest you seek professional advice to understand where the aggression is coming from.

This is a really good advice Akitaowner.

[tryamartimmy]

That advise was fantastic!

I'm also doing something similar with my pup, but a little different. She's a puller (or was, and is now slowly coming around to my way of walking). Currently, she's too little for a harness (even an XS) so I have to be very careful of her little throat as collars aren't recommended for walking Chihuahuas.

What I do is start walking with her and as soon as she reaches the end of her lead, I stop and wait for her to look around at me. It sometimes takes her a while, up to 20 seconds (especially at the start of the training session- we've only been doing this a couple of times), but she will eventually look around when she realises that by pulling, she's not going anywhere. I also figure, by not turning around and walking the opposite direction, I'm not exerting any pressure of my own on her and there's less chance of doing damage to her sensitive neck.

Once she's looking at me, I ask her to heel (offering a treat in the right position works wonders), then start to walk with the treat still in my hand, between her nose and my face, so I can see she's watching. When we've done a few metres, she gets the treat. As soon as she starts to pull again, we repeat the process.

Like I said, this is just my technique, but it does seem to work well with my dog and I.

[bloss344]

Along with the great advice you've already got here there is a book Feisty Fido. "Help to the Leash Agressive Dog" by Patricia McConnell. She uses two simple methods in this book, focus and going in the opposite direction of the other dog. I didn't think it was too bad, might help a bit, perhaps your library has a copy.

I use focus with food and going in the opposite direction with Bob and it does help, it's a slow process but well worth it.

[Daisy]

Thansk for the replies, this gives me something to start off with :p Don't know if dog training will be happening this week as it has been bucketing down here (I skipped our morning walk today too!)