I am taking any opportunity I have to walk Rio and Deuce separately. In truth it makes the walks much more enjoyable for me.
Unfortunately for me, both Deuce and Rio were adopted when they were beginning adolescence and have not previously been taught to walk nicely on leash. For me a dog that pulls when walked is a real drag. It really pushes my buttons.
However, all is not lost, but believe me teaching an adult (or adolescent) dog not to pull requires LOTS of consistency and repetition and did I forget to mentioned tremendous amounts of
patience?
I have used many different techniques to teach these guys and my client’s dogs not to pull. By not pulling I mean walking on a slack leash either in front or to a side - either side. I do not want my dogs on a heel position when we are walking. I don’t find this to be necessary; after all aren’t we going to walks to have fun and relaxation?
Each dog is different in how they learn and what motivates them at a given moment. For example: Deuce as a herding dog would love to be able to chase cars, all cars while Rio (a beagle/cattle-dog mix) ignores them - so far at least. But try to get that Beagle to mind you when in the presence of a smell! You get the idea.
My training & leash walks with Deuce are peppered with behaviors that we use when sheepherding - the ultra-plus activity for a Border collie!
I have incorporated some of the cues I use when sheepherding to teach Deuce to walk nicely on a leash. One of the cues I use is the “Stop” cue which means just that: stop moving.
We begin with him on a loose leash and before he makes the leash taut (this is the critical part) I ask him for a stop.
Because of the way I have used the stop while sheepherding for Deuce it also means lay down on the spot. In between these two behaviors we walk and make turns as needed to keep that leash loose. This requires given Deuce constant feedback (stop, walk, good boy, etc.)
After just a couple of sessions I have seen Deuce walk for longer distances on a loose leash.
Now, trying to teach two dogs to stop pulling at the same time is one of the craziest things you can do. In essence the dog must first learn to individually walk on a loose leash without distractions say in a “boring” environment such as a living room. If the dog cannot walk nicely on a leash here, the chances of you being successful in the big outdoors are probably nil.
It is unfortunate that we live in a world that is enamored with effortless and fast results - no matter what the task might be. In addition, some quasi-dog training TV programs makes things looks oh
so easy.
Viewers who drink the cool-aid think that if someone can train a dog to do pretty much anything in a ½ an hour show the same should apply to their “smart” dog! Ah, what a trap this is. To prove my point I think of how freaking difficult it is for me to make changes in my own behavior… you know where I am heading, no?
So in between teaching my fab’ dogs not to pull, I try on double the session so that I can learn to breathe deeply and remind myself that quick and effortlessly does not exist! At least not in the world of dog training.
Unfortunately for me, both Deuce and Rio were adopted when they were beginning adolescence and have not previously been taught to walk nicely on leash. For me a dog that pulls when walked is a real drag. It really pushes my buttons.
However, all is not lost, but believe me teaching an adult (or adolescent) dog not to pull requires LOTS of consistency and repetition and did I forget to mentioned tremendous amounts of
patience?
I have used many different techniques to teach these guys and my client’s dogs not to pull. By not pulling I mean walking on a slack leash either in front or to a side - either side. I do not want my dogs on a heel position when we are walking. I don’t find this to be necessary; after all aren’t we going to walks to have fun and relaxation?
Each dog is different in how they learn and what motivates them at a given moment. For example: Deuce as a herding dog would love to be able to chase cars, all cars while Rio (a beagle/cattle-dog mix) ignores them - so far at least. But try to get that Beagle to mind you when in the presence of a smell! You get the idea.
My training & leash walks with Deuce are peppered with behaviors that we use when sheepherding - the ultra-plus activity for a Border collie!
I have incorporated some of the cues I use when sheepherding to teach Deuce to walk nicely on a leash. One of the cues I use is the “Stop” cue which means just that: stop moving.
We begin with him on a loose leash and before he makes the leash taut (this is the critical part) I ask him for a stop.
Because of the way I have used the stop while sheepherding for Deuce it also means lay down on the spot. In between these two behaviors we walk and make turns as needed to keep that leash loose. This requires given Deuce constant feedback (stop, walk, good boy, etc.)
After just a couple of sessions I have seen Deuce walk for longer distances on a loose leash.
Now, trying to teach two dogs to stop pulling at the same time is one of the craziest things you can do. In essence the dog must first learn to individually walk on a loose leash without distractions say in a “boring” environment such as a living room. If the dog cannot walk nicely on a leash here, the chances of you being successful in the big outdoors are probably nil.
It is unfortunate that we live in a world that is enamored with effortless and fast results - no matter what the task might be. In addition, some quasi-dog training TV programs makes things looks oh
so easy.
Viewers who drink the cool-aid think that if someone can train a dog to do pretty much anything in a ½ an hour show the same should apply to their “smart” dog! Ah, what a trap this is. To prove my point I think of how freaking difficult it is for me to make changes in my own behavior… you know where I am heading, no?
So in between teaching my fab’ dogs not to pull, I try on double the session so that I can learn to breathe deeply and remind myself that quick and effortlessly does not exist! At least not in the world of dog training.
No comments:
Post a Comment