Lead Walking Qu. Re 'understanding It' Or Not.

[Guest RosieFT]

A response to a lead question posted by another OP on here has me questioning my dog's understanding.

I still don't have a consistently good loose lead walking dog . I have tried since day 1, with a variety of methods but at 15months one would assume she would be perfect with the effort i put in. Therefore I must be missing something!

rosie likes being in front, no doubt, but also knows a few 'rules', if the lead is tight and I stop, she pauses, then takes a couple of steps back until lead is loose and waits. She does not look back at me. Then we walk on again, she then will go straight back to where she was at the front, sometimes with one quick skip to make up ground. I stop, she backs up, leash is loose on we go. I did this method with her as a youngish pup and it worked well for awhile, but we now have this scenario.

So onto question.. I am now questioning her response, is it understanding or lack of control on my behalf? Should I increase the requirement, ie. stop and insist she return to heel around me, or something like that?

Does she do the bare minimum and then go on her own business (i sometimes feel she doesn't acknowledge I am there, but the walks do vary alot in what she does)....

Does she think when i am standing still she should slacken the leash while we stand, but when we move off she resumes her position?

Same as with the changing direction scenario, if i do a 180 i have a pefectly loose lead healing dog, who does look at me... the second i turn back to the original direction, she skips to her front position with glee.

She is more responsive when at a loose heel position, than when allowed full leash. At a halt she will 'look' at me, when walking it is more difficult to get her attention on me. The more changes of direction, sits, drops, stopping, 'look' i do, the better she is. But mostly loves to be off with the fairies at the front :-)

Obviously you are not here, you do not see... but perhaps from past experiences of other dogs?!?

thanks in advance.

[alpha bet]

Sounds like your dog has kinda worked out what your want.... She appears to 'give to pressure'. In other words understands that you want her on a soft lead.

You say she is in a tight lead when out in front.... does this mean that she is pulling or does she just have a light hold against your lead .... in other words can you hold the lead comfortably with a thumb and two fingers.... if so then all is fine.....

You dont need to have a dog at heel to be walking correctly..... you can shorten the lead when walking thru busy spots and sounds like she will just walk beside you on a soft lead. As a test --- if you alter the speed of the walk does she adjust.... if you break into a run does she adjust.... if you stop sudden does she stop and adjust.

If you ever decide to compete at obedience she will adjust to you creating excercises that require her to walk at heel.

My dogs have all learnt to walk on a soft lead (usually out in front) the important thing is they give to pressure, hence they are aware of where I am so I dont even need to use any voice commands. this allows me to walk 3,4 or even more without any real problem as they just walk soft and none of them are competing for the heel position.

Hope this helps....

Edited September 5, 2009 by alpha bet

[Aidan]

You have exactly what has been reinforced, a dog who walks out in front of you and will stop when you stop. You can increase the criteria now, what exactly is it that you would like her to do? If it is to walk at heel, then you need to stop when she forges ahead, before the leash goes tight. If you don't mind where she is so long as the leash is absolutely loose, then stop when the clip on the leash is not hanging down.

This article might have some tips for you:

http://positivepetzine.com/node/345 "Broken Ankle Downhill Loose Leash Walking"

[Guest RosieFT]

Thankyou to both of you. I know lead questions are a dime a dozen on here. I have read them, and read articles, been to obedience (but gave up as the group thing was not working for my particular dog), but nothing like asking a specific question and getting some help/ideas.

So thanks!