Loose Lead Walking & Barking

[Jetty]

I have read a couple of different ways of teaching loose lead walking. Can someone please assist on an effective way to teach the dogs?

I will be training them seperately but I think Jessie will need more time. At the moment as soon as I grab the lead she is barking and jumping and won't leave me alone until we are out that door. I try to tell her 'no' and ignore her until I am ready but her bark is really irritating to the rest of the family. She also barks at the back door until someone lets her in and she gets let in at the end because she continues for a long time. So what can also help to conquer the barking?

Assistance would be great. Walking them is starting to turn into a mission instead of an enjoyable thing.

[Alfie02]

Hi

I had the same problem with my little dog, he pulled so hard on the lead and was terrible at walking. However over the past 6 months I have consistantly been correcting him every time he pulls. I use a check chain, worn high up on the neck (like in dog shows) and evey time he pulls away from my side i correct him but pulling gently side ways on the lead, this gets his attention and he walks right back next to me. He also has to sit and wait untill I tell him its ok to smell a certain spot etc. I find that this controls his excitment and keeps him focused on me. This took alot of time and effort, but it was worth it as now we can walk side by side with his lead loosley draped on my shoulders without me even having to hold it. Hope this helps and was what you were asking about . I also have a problem with my dog barking like you described in your post and would love to know how to stop it! lol.

[poodlefan]

JJ exactly what is the problem here.. is it the dog barking when she sees the lead come out and you are about to go on a walk or loose lead walking while on a walk.

Have you joined a dog training club yet?

[Jetty]

Thanks for the response.

I am concerned about using a check chain on the old girl Jessie. She pulls so hard that she is walking you really She has been like this ever since we have had her and my parents have never corrected it.

Jet on the other hand. When I have been walking him I will give him a little flick of the lead to get his attention and it works for about a minute then he is back to pulling. I have him on a flat collar.

[Jetty]

JJ exactly what is the problem here.. is it the dog barking when she sees the lead come out and you are about to go on a walk or loose lead walking while on a walk.

Have you joined a dog training club yet?

Sorry if it does not make sense. She is barking when we get the lead out to go for a walk & on the walk she is also not walking on a loose lead. She pulls alot.

This is for Jessie and she has not been in a club.

I have found a club for Jet but am waiting for the response of the trainer.

[Alfie02]

I found that to be a problem too, the dog walking me instead of the other way round . But by putting the collar up higher it was much easier to control him and he responded to corrections much better. Even if you dont want to use a check chain, you can put the flat collar up high and see if that makes any difference?

[Aidan]

At the moment as soon as I grab the lead she is barking and jumping and won't leave me alone until we are out that door. I try to tell her 'no' and ignore her until I am ready but her bark is really irritating to the rest of the family.

Explain to your family that you are "making an investment". Do not go out that door until she is quiet. Do not speak to her, or even look at her. Wait until she is quiet, even if only briefly, then click and open the door. It will take a while. She will not learn the first time you do it, but she will learn that the ONLY way she gets out the door is if she is quiet. You use the clicker to make it easier to mark a brief period of quiet, which can be extended when she begins to understand.

Your whole family will need to be consistent with this. We don't want any "variable schedules of reinforcement" where most of the time you follow the rules and every so often you don't or it will become unbearable and very difficult to treat this way.

She also barks at the back door until someone lets her in and she gets let in at the end because she continues for a long time. So what can also help to conquer the barking?

Same as above. It will take consistency, co-operation and discipline. And a little time.

[Jetty]

Thanks Aiden. I have not clicker trained before but I have been meaning to go get one. So I will start to teach them it this week.

[Erny]

Every dog is different. There are different ways to teach loose lead walking, but the easiest is to have someone who can actually show you - it is about how you hold/handle the lead as well, after all, it is the lead that activates the collar and how you use it effects (or affects) the message you're sending.

As for the leash excitement. Pick it up. Put it down. Pick it up. Put it away. She's only become excited about it because she's learnt it to be a cue for something exciting. If you randomly pick it up (even just hook it around your neck as you move around your house doing usual household activities) and then pop it down or put it away, you'll devalue it somewhat.

If my dog goes berserk at the sight of the lead (which he doesn't - he's excited, but demonstrates self-control), but as a puppy when he went a bit over the top, I just turned around and put the lead back in its place. He knows it won't get clicked on to his collar until he demonstrates self-control and sits. And he knows that until the lead is clicked on, he won't be going out on a walk. So he's figured his self-control is to his best advantage.

Edited March 31, 2010 by Erny

[Jetty]

Thanks Erny, Thats a bit more understanding for me. I have Jet in a new club so I will ask for them for assistance on how to hold the lead etc.