Walking On A Leash UPDATED PICTURES

The Gentle leader was invented by UK pet behaviourist Peter Neville was it not?

The Late John Fisher also devised a similar one that he called a col-leash but I don't know where you can get those now he has passed on.
I know the col-leash was adjustable to grow with the dog so you could use it on them as a puppy and just adjust it as they grew so no buying seperate collars and leads for different stages of growth.

Both are designed to prevent the dog from learning to pull partly my making it so that there is nothing to pull against.

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Originally Posted by lizbud

... the first thing you need to get across
to a full grown Boxer, is that you control the dog's movements and not the
other way around. Your first aim(with a strong breed) is to gain control on
the walk. Once a dog understands you are the "director", the leash can be
loosened for a more casual style of walking.

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Yes, this was what I was trying to say! We have only had Dot (16 month boxer/bulldog/hound/?? mix, 50#) for a week, so I have limited experience. It is not my plan for her to have to walk head up all the time. I needed to get some control, and then we could gradually train her to a slack lead.

It was not enjoyable for either of us, when I was being yanked along and she was gagging and choking the whole way. Also with the high collar, she holds her head up. I do not force it up. The short lead is firm so I will maintain control if she tries to start pulling again.

I was just trying to offer a suggestion to the OP that had worked for us, not start a debate on the merits of Cesar's way.

Best of luck!

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Originally Posted by gwen

Buy a gentle leader they are brilliant!!

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I agree, they are easy on the handler, your dog learns to walk on your left without pulling and once he realizes you are in control you can dispense with it, unless needed for absolute control. They aren't used to train in classes in this area, but lots of people use them to keep the dog under control. When we go out for excercise we are fortunate to have trails and bush a few hundred ft. away and we turn the dogs loose to run free and do all the sniffing they want.

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Originally Posted by Canis-Lupess

The Gentle leader was invented by UK pet behaviourist Peter Neville was it not?

Both are designed to prevent the dog from learning to pull partly my making it so that there is nothing to pull against.

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I use a halti with Sheena. And many Service dog facilites and trainers use haltis to train the dogs and also for the dogs to wear and use when working. They are great for teaching the dogs to not sniff things, lick people and the like. Sheena wears one when working because just like her vest it is a signal that she is working when it is put on and she is to not be distracted at all. She is also trained to walk perfectly on a collar as well but we have trained her that when she is on leash with the collar she has a little more freedom to sniff things and greet people. So for her depending on which she is wearing tells her what is acceptable behaviour or not. I would defiantely suggest the halti or gentle leader as a training aid.

As for who ever said the dogs will be trained to walk on the left in a training class, this is not mandatory at all. Which ever side is more comfortable for you is the side you walk your dog on and train your dog on. The only time it is a must is most likely in competitions for obedience. Otherwise it is what ever side works for you. Many Service dogs are trained to walk at heel on either side. Both Sheena and Luca are trained to walk at heel on either side depending on which side I direct them too.
Nicole

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Originally Posted by timlewis

What is the best way to train a dog to walk on a leash? I took Daisy for a walk today and it was a constant fight, I dont know all that much about them anyway. Should you keep your dog to your side or let him go ahead of u? The reason i ask is because i think i saw one time that if your dog walks in front of u they will think they are in charge is this true or does it really matter?

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I forgot to mention that if you are training your dog to enter a formal cd class by akc or ckc your dog has to be trained to walk on your left side , unless in special circumstances. If not training for anything specific, the choice is yours, although out here we still train by the ckc in formal classes....dogs at heel on left side.

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Originally Posted by GraceByDesign

Yes, this was what I was trying to say! We have only had Dot (16 month boxer/bulldog/hound/?? mix, 50#) for a week, so I have limited experience. It is not my plan for her to have to walk head up all the time. I needed to get some control, and then we could gradually train her to a slack lead.

It was not enjoyable for either of us, when I was being yanked along and she was gagging and choking the whole way. Also with the high collar, she holds her head up. I do not force it up. The short lead is firm so I will maintain control if she tries to start pulling again.

I was just trying to offer a suggestion to the OP that had worked for us, not start a debate on the merits of Cesar's way.

Best of luck!

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You forcing a dog to submit to your control is one thing. You training the dog to be willing to submit to your control and enjoy doing it is another. The point isn't about Cesar Millan, but rather about the downsides and cruelness of the old school methods he uses. She holds her head up by herself because of the pressure you are putting on certain places on her neck, so in turn, your still basically forcing it. If you can have the leash literally dragging on the ground it's so slack and she still has her head up like that, then I'll believe she's doing it on her own and you have nothing to do with it.

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Originally Posted by SunsetRose

You forcing a dog to submit to your control is one thing. You training the dog to be willing to submit to your control and enjoy doing it is another.

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No, they are no different. Having a collar properly secured on the dog
is not about "using force". It puts no undue pressure on the dog at all. It's
perfectly normal, but it does prevent the dog from disengaging from it's
focus on the walker. The dog does not have to be checking out every smell he comes across to be having a good time.After the "ground rules" have been
set & your dog knows what you want, you can relax the rules a bit if you
want.

Be carefull in corrections with a gentle leader- they can snap the neck. It comes with instructions- USE THEM..

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Originally Posted by borzoimom

Be carefull in corrections with a gentle leader- they can snap the neck. It comes with instructions- USE THEM..

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Any training aid if used incorrectly can cause damage to a dog. That is why people should always learn how to use a training aid before using it.
Nicole

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Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

Any training aid if used incorrectly can cause damage to a dog. That is why people should always learn how to use a training aid before using it.
Nicole

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Yea- I know that- and you know that. But my statement encourages someone to read the directions etc.

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Originally Posted by lizbud

No, they are no different. Having a collar properly secured on the dog
is not about "using force". It puts no undue pressure on the dog at all. It's
perfectly normal, but it does prevent the dog from disengaging from it's
focus on the walker. The dog does not have to be checking out every smell he comes across to be having a good time.After the "ground rules" have been
set & your dog knows what you want, you can relax the rules a bit if you
want.

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I have never seen a dog successfully trained to true loose leash walking using this method. You still have to resort to putting the collar high and holding the leash taut.

You know you've truly got loose leash walking trained when you can have both your arms full of gear and hold two leashes attached to two dogs and walk into a crowd of people and dogs and not have your dogs pulling you. This is true loose leash walking. If you have to have control over the lead/collar to accomplish loose leash walking, that's not what you've got. You've got a dog who is relying in the leash to keep it from pulling.

With my shelties, I don't even really have to hold the leash. It's in my hands for safety, but they just don't pull. Not even an ounce. I didn't use Cesar's methods. I used treat based clicker training. Works wonders if done correctly with good timing. Took me five minutes for each dog. Your milage may vary, but it's the better method for the long haul. It's a true trained loose leash, not a dog controlled by the leash/collar.

BTW, I like to sit back and watch the green newbies come into the dog training world of performance events and mention something Cesar has said. All the experienced trainers will roll their eyes, take a deep breath, count to ten and then begin to explain why that's a bad idea. It's always fun to watch. :)

Exactly. As I said before, a dog holding it's head up during a walk is not natural at all and it will not continue to do it when you slack the lead. That nose will go streight to the ground. The key is training the dog to have self control on walks. The dog can sniff the ground, but must also keep up. So a properly trained dog will not be totally consumed with a scent on the sidewalk. Dogs are not visual creatures, they are creatures of scent. A dog that is allowed to smell will be enjoying the walk much more than a dog who has no other choice but to look ahead.

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Be carefull in corrections with a gentle leader- they can snap the neck. It comes with instructions- USE THEM..

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If I remember correctly, your not supposed to snap the leash at all with the head halti. The way it works is basically prevents the dog from moving forward and if it tries to lunge or pull, it ends up turned around and facing you. I'm trying to look it up, but apparantly the gentle leader homepage is down.

Thanks for all the tips, i think. All i really want is to be able to walk my dog without her running up and then back and wrapping her leash around me. Im not saying it wont work but im not going to choke my dog into walking before i do that she can just run allover me. As far as having a loose lead, a tight lead or a whatever lead i have a nylon leash so what kind would that be oh yeah and its Red and 5 foot long if that helps, ha ha. But really i have no idea what ur talking about a soft or loose lead or whatever. i havent been on PT in a long time but i dont think u all understand that im not a big animal person. Dont get me wrong i love Daisy but, i dont think i look at her as most of you all do your animals, no offense intended. I live in a small town in Kentucky, almost at the end of a holler, im not out in some big city or anything like that. The only woman i ever knew who put clothes on her animals was an old high school teacher i had and everyone thought she was crazy. All i really need to know is it important to teach them to walk beside you?

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Originally Posted by SunsetRose

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If I remember correctly, your not supposed to snap the leash at all with the head halti. The way it works is basically prevents the dog from moving forward and if it tries to lunge or pull, it ends up turned around and facing you. I'm trying to look it up, but apparantly the gentle leader homepage is down.

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Yes- that is the potential problem. Just like a misused prong collar and damage the tracea..
Also- even with a nylong choke collar, the glands around the neck can be bruised if used incorrecly.
I use the reverse method- even it means like to me we are getting nowhere at first- or it takes a long time to go anyway- they learn pretty quick, with instant praise on the follow about turn.. Some dogs learn this real quick- others do not. However- being consistant works. That means every walk needs the commitment- if the dog pulls you reverse your direction.

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Originally Posted by timlewis

Thanks for all the tips, i think. All i really want is to be able to walk my dog without her running up and then back and wrapping her leash around me. Im not saying it wont work but im not going to choke my dog into walking before i do that she can just run allover me. As far as having a loose lead, a tight lead or a whatever lead i have a nylon leash so what kind would that be oh yeah and its Red and 5 foot long if that helps, ha ha. But really i have no idea what ur talking about a soft or loose lead or whatever. i havent been on PT in a long time but i dont think u all understand that im not a big animal person. Dont get me wrong i love Daisy but, i dont think i look at her as most of you all do your animals, no offense intended. I live in a small town in Kentucky, almost at the end of a holler, im not out in some big city or anything like that. The only woman i ever knew who put clothes on her animals was an old high school teacher i had and everyone thought she was crazy. All i really need to know is it important to teach them to walk beside you?

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I remember you Tim and I remember your dog Daisy. :) It's been awhile
hasn't it? Remember all the comotion on PT when you mentioned having
her ears cropped? I do understand you simply want to know an easy method
to teach your dog how to walk without pulling you.

Check out these directions: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/nopulling.html


Practice, practice, practice. You'll love when it's so much more fun to
walk without the fight.