Leash walking question

**mtblaura** · 03-16-2006, 01:16 PM

I have a question about leash walking - I was taught in my owner obedience, whoops, I mean dog obedience class, that it is ok to let your dog walk in front of you sniff around, etc. as long as you can get them to heel when you want them to. However, I am noticing that some people believe that the dog should NEVER walk in front of you because it is a dominance issue. How important do you think this is? I am a little confused about what is best.
I have a one year old retriever mix who is generally pretty submissive and very good with her heel, etc.

**Crazy-Cat-Lover** · 03-16-2006, 02:03 PM

I let Bailey walk in front of me now since he is only 3 months old. When he is older, he will walk on my left side, right beside me. I know that you should never let your dog go through a door before you or walk in front of you. I think it's okay if the dogs not pulling on the leash, since that is a sign of dominance.

**Karen** · 03-16-2006, 04:22 PM

We always allowed our dogs to walk in front, as long as they did not pull on the leash, and followed our instructions. We never had any dominance problems with them.

**dab_20** · 03-16-2006, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

We always allowed our dogs to walk in front, as long as they did not pull on the leash, and followed our instructions. We never had any dominance problems with them.

That's the same with me. I let them walk through doors infront of me, too. Personally, I don't think it really matters about how you should walk through doorways before them. Make sure your dog doesn't acctually pull on the leash, though.

***iluvskipper*** · 03-16-2006, 09:38 PM

i don't think that matters at all. they can walk in front of you if they want to those ppl don't kno what they're talkin about!!!

**dab_20** · 03-16-2006, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by *iluvskipper*

i don't think that matters at all. they can walk in front of you if they want to those ppl don't kno what they're talkin about!!!

Alot of people on here DO know what they are talking about. They are experienced dog owners and some are even trainers.

**Jessika** · 03-22-2006, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by *iluvskipper*

i don't think that matters at all. they can walk in front of you if they want to those ppl don't kno what they're talkin about!!!

A lot of "those ppl" have owned, trained, and raised dogs their entire life (probably longer than I have even been alive) and I would imagine they most certainly DO know what they are talking about.

That having been said, it is fine so long as they are not pulling on the leash. The SECOND Jamie starts to pull, I stop dead in my tracks and do not resume walking until she has stopped pulling, or sat down (she usually sits as soon as I stop walking).