Walking Our Dobie

[JeffnCel]

Hey everyone

This may be normal since our Buffy hasn't been formally trained to "heel" while walking, but I'm just wondering if anyone elses puppies seem to want to walk either under your feet or between your legs?!?!

I feel like I'm doing the "ministry of funny walks" while I'm out walking her

When she's out walking with 2 of us, she seems to want to naturally "heel" to the person not carrying the lead, and when she's with only 1 of us, she pushes against our leg so hard it pushes us off the path (that's when she's not tripping us). Today it was like she wanted the path all to herself!

Is this a normal behaviour that she will grow out of? Or is she trying to stay close for some other reason, perhaps fear (even though at 5 months she's bigger than most of the other dogs around our area).

Thanks guys

[Poodle wrangler]

I feel like I'm doing the "ministry of funny walks" while I'm out walking her

Training, training.

My pup (now 8 months) is hopeless when walking with more than one. I keep him on my left and companions to the right which helps.

Walking at heel is an advanced exercise, so start the basic training ..e.g. sit.. ASAP. The dog has no idea that "heel" is the right position, so you have to teach him by using food as a lure in your left hand, praise and stop dead if he tries to pull/ surge ahead.

Never too early to start, but train just a little at a time for puppies and keep it fun. You need to use food to teach and do it when they're hungry for best results.

I actually avoided walking my pup on-leash as we couldn't start obedience at a local club until he was 16 weeks old (next intake). He got plenty of exercise in the backyard and once he'd come when called, we went to the quiet off-leash dog beach.

Large breeds need only short walks, anyway- longer walks not good for their growing bones- so say the breeders.

Edited August 13, 2007 by Poodle wrangler