Shirley Chong Loose Leash Walking

[teekay]

I found the Shirley Chong LLW program by accident as I was researching how to get a good retrieve. Has anyone done this step by step program and, if so, was it a success?

Here is a link for anyone who wants to have a look at it

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/LLW/index.html

I am presuming that, while I am beginning the program I do not take Luka for his normal walks as, I suppose, that would undo any good I am trying to do?

For anyone who has done the program, how long did it take? I'm not in a rush, I want to do things right, but was just wondering what a 'normal' amount of time would be. Luka is a very focussed dog who loves to please so I am hoping he responds well to this. We started with step 1 today and all was good, not sure how long to stay on each step but I figure slow is better.

Soooooooo pleased I have a greedy guts food motivated dog

Oh and sorry if there is a thread somewhere about this. The Shirley Chong search I did didn't seem to turn up anything specific to LLW.

[Tassie]

Haven't used the LLW one, but I have successfully used her retrieve one. Will be interested to see any answers to this one.

[teekay]

Doesn't look like anyone else has either Tassie :laugh:

Therefore I will document our progress in here.

Day 1 Marked (marker word : yes) and Treated for the slightest movement left or right as I held the leash ever so slightly taut, by the end of first session has started looking the way I am pulling (OK, I'm not really pulling but for this description I will use the word pull)

Day 2 He has started taking a couple of steps in the direction I am pulling.

With regard to his daily walks, I am thinking he could still go for a walk if i use one of my other dogs sensible harness as this should not undo any of the flat collar training but haven't took him out yet. Any thoughts?

[Tassie]

That sounds like a good plan. I'd probably still be marking and rewarding appropriate walking - e.g. including you in the picture - making his own choice to slacken the leash. That shouldn't conflict with anything in Shirley Chong's program.