samsonsmom

Here's another helpful topic written by Nan:

LOOSE LEASH WALKING
In order to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash you will first need the following equipment and only this equipment. There is no easy quick fix/gimmick available except hard work between you and your dog. First a flat or martingale (with no chain) collar and a 6 foot leather leash with braided leather ends. In the case of puppies sometimes a Sensa-tions harness is recommended due to their pulling to help with their learning process to not pull. You do not ever want to use a retractable leash. This actually teaches the dog to pull and that pulling is rewarded with lengthening of the leash. It also creates constant tension on the leash which is a very bad thing as tension on leash causes tension in the dog. Any pulling a dog does is only done with the permission of the owner. Your dog cannot pull you unless you are allowing it. Think about it. How much do you weigh and how much does your dog weigh?
Now take your dog with his flat collar and 6 foot leash out for his walk. I like to start off with a “sit” before exiting/entering any doors. That helps the dog focus on you and your directions. Release him with a “outside” command to let him know that he is free to exit the door. I use “in” for coming back in the door. This also helps with dogs rushing out of doors without permission to do so. Start out of the doorway with your leash held at half length. When the dog begins pulling you will stop and ask him for a “sit” again. When dog is calm and sitting you will say “let’s go” and beginning walking again. When pulling starts again you can stop and do another sit. I find it helpful to start out with quite a few sits and go’s prior to starting off on any length of walking, typically a dozen or so. I liken it to “tuning in your radio”, it helps to get the dog on track with your plans for walking together and not pulling his way ahead.
Another useful tool is the quick u-turn on the walk. It is useful to quickly exit situations that might be too exciting for the dog or to help re-focus his attention back to you. You will be going forward and quickly say “let’s go” and turn away from your dog in a u-turn. Slap the side of your leg to let him know and if needed you can give a light tug to help him come your way. Praise him with a “good boy!” as you get him to turn and walk the other way with you. You will notice that he will be behind you at the start of the turn instead of in front of you. This is a good exercise to get your dog repositioned again during walks. You can walk a ways and ask for another “sit” from him. Praise him for his “good walk!” and start up again. You can later work on turning into your dog on the u-turn but this is a little bit harder as you have to be quick and have your foot/leg get slightly ahead of him to make this turn. This one will also help reposition the dog by your side. If you think of how you would herd your dog to turn him and keep him along side of you, you will be well on your way to understanding the use of the u-turn.
Sometimes it takes a while to get your dog to catch on to this concept, be patient and know that it is usually that way with all dogs. It takes many months with constant, and consistent hard work to teach this walking on a loose leash. You might only walk a block in length but go a mile while doing it because of all the u-turns and stops you incorporate into your walks. That is okay, because your dog is learning big things during this time. One is not to pull, another is to focus on you as the leader and your dog is also learning social skills. Do not allow him to rush up to any person, dog, baby stroller, bicycle, whatnot while on leash. You are in charge of any meetings or greetings and it is best to help you dog practice self control with a nice sit as these distractions pass by or you stop (with several feet distance) to say a quick hello and have your dog maintain a nice “sit” while you do that before you move on with your “let’s go.”

By NANO/for BOXER FORUMS

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--WILLOW---Owned by *Angel 8/8/05 & Flick 3/8/08
Samson, waiting at the bridge 8/27/08



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