Are You Happy with Your Doodle's Leash Walking?

[Adina P]

Some questions, please answer all that apply:

1. Are you Happy with Your Doodle's Leash Walking as it is NOW?

2. If not, are you actively working on training for this? If Yes, did you actively train for this?

3. What is YOUR definition of nice leash walking...in other words how will your doodle need to behave on leash for your to BE happy with his/her leash walking?

4. How long do you anticipate it will take before you arrive at your goal? (if you've already reached your goal answer with how long it took).

[Adina P]

My answers:

1. Yes 99% for Rosco -- he is a lazy heeler but consistent and I can take him anywhere. Thule is a perfect heeler without heavy distractions nearby such as passing another dog--she's not ready to go anywhere.

2. Yes, I trained Rosco....Clark trained Thule initially and I also worked with her.

3. For general walks down the side walk I want my dogs in 'near' heel position and never walking in front of me unless they are released with an 'ok' to sniff or pee or wander on leash. No pulling for other dogs or lunging at anything. But I am not completely happy unless I can walk them in a crowd of either people or dogs in actual 'heel.' Rosco was 99% on this when we went to our local dog show last weekend. So to me that was pretty darn good =)

4. For walking nicely on the sidewalk by my side...5-6 days a week training probably for 2 months or so--less without distractions. But for a strong heel in a crowd I'd say it took me and Rosco 6 months of hard work and practice probably spread out over a year and with occasional refresher work. I would still like to work more with Thule to bring her to Rosco's level.

[Adina P]

I should clarify that even though it didn't take us forever to reach nice leash walking...we didn't start concerted, focused training till Rosco was about 11 months. We had a false start earlier, and we did do casual training during puppyhood...he learned things right away...but when it came to really working hard consistently we started at 11 months. By that point we were using each and every single outing as a training outing...there were no casual walks or going places without a training goal.

[Adina P]

I think that is a reasonable goal =)

[Sandy]

1. NO. Toby is 8 1/2months,and getting stronger. He is mostly walking "with me", with a loose leash, but if there are distractions, or pee to smell, or something exciting to see, forget it. My arm got jerked big time about 1 1/2 weeks ago and my shoulder is still very tender. I think a visit to the doctor maybe in order.

2. Yes, we are training. We are in Grade One obedience classes. He was doing better, and then last week at class he was a disaster. We are having our test class in two weeks. I fear we may not pass. The thing is, if he chooses to do well, he will be the class star, because he's done it before. We walk three times a day for 1/2 hour each time, and actively train during every walk.

3. My definition of nice leash walking is loose leash - clip hanging down towards the ground, no pulling. That is "with me" in class terms. And when I need it, he should be in "let's go" position, which is the heel position.

4. Good golly - I guess it will just be persistence on my part. Maybe when he reaches adulthood, if I stay consistent?

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

1. No, not happy. He pulls alot.

2. I wouldn't say actively working on it. I sometimes use a harness so I don't have to deal with it. I walk without a leash quite often around the neighbourhood. I did puppy training and I've tried what I was taught but it doesn't work.

3. Nice leash walking is basically no pulling. He walks within the leash range.

4. Since I'm not actively working on it, it may take a long time. I need a new method to try since what I was taught doesn't work.

[Adina P]

If you actively work on it won't take terribly long. But it does mean that you have to use each and every outing as a training outing.

[Doris]

1. no - Bodi pulls HARD when he is distracted
2. have not worked on this yet - plan to go to obedience classes this summer
3. nice leash walking = walking and sniffing at a nice pace - no pulling when he sees a cat, dog, bunny, squirrel or jogger! I don't walk in crowds, but I could see that learning to heel would help in those situations.
4. I'm hoping that by the end of the summer I will have more control.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

1. For 4 1/2 months old, my doodle does very well with the Gentle Leader. Without it he behaves only about 20% of the time by not pulling or responding to redirection.
2. We are consistantly working on this everyday. Using "watch me" and clicker and treat, when he walks nicely beside me, and especially when there are other dogs or people in sight.
3. Nice walking is along side of me, left side, no pulling ahead or lagging behind or suddenly stopping. Sniffing when allowed only and sitting when I stop, or to greet others.
4. I would think until he is at least 1 year old, so I will continue consistantly for however long it takes.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

1. Walking one at a time on heel - Roo very good until meets another dog, then could stay very good or bark, does not pull just loses concentration. Tigger is very good all the time. Both dogs are not yet excellent at heel as they do pay constant enough attention to me, especially in highly distractiong situations. Walking two at a time ( one on each side) - with the expectation of "close" meaning loose leash and slightly forward of the heel location. This is coming along more quickly now, it was tough at the start, for all of us (probably me most), I would say we are at the fair to good stage, but improving rapidly.

2. I actively trained each dog individually for several months in 15 minutes segments, usually twice a day, five to six days a week. I am returning to active training in June, for reinforcement and improvement of everyone's ( me too) concentration at the heel, with distractions. I am currently actively training them to walk two at a time with me in the "close" position, one on each side.

3.Nice on the leash to me means three things: "Heel" loose short lead, positive contant attention to me with shoulder even with me, automatic straight sit when I stop with shoulder even to my leg. Heel is used for the most 15 minutes at a time with my 1 year and 1 and 1/2 year old "puppies"; "Close" loose shortened lead, walking at my side ahead of the heel position, flank area even with me and on a loose leash, responsive to me, but not positive constant attention; "Easy" Long loose lead, ahead of me, responsive to me, but not constant positive attention. Returns automatically to me for guidance if feels curiousity or stress, returns at my recall. No tight leashes or sudden pulls are toatally unacceptable in a nice walk ( of course, they do occasionally still happen - but rarely)

4. Roo took about 3 months to have a nice heel, with controlled distractions. At 18 months we have totally mastered meeting people, almost conquered dogs barking behind a fence and are still working on other dogs on leash which is about 50%. Tigger took about 3 months to have a nice heel with distractions, mainly because he mostly does not find anything particularily distracting. I have been sporadically working on the two together "close" for six months. Because of the sporadic nature it has taken this long to get to fair to good, but is improving quickly now. "Easy" is a work in progress. Roo gets the returning to me to check out the situation, Tigger not so much.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

1) There is room for improvement thats for sure! She is still young and pulls and zig-zags infront of me.

2) Yes! I am trying to teach her to stay on one side of me not zig zag infront of me tripping me. I am tryng to teach her not to pull/drag like a sled dog. She gets really fearful when she hears big dogs barking behind fences and tucks her tail between her legs, puts her head low and tries to run/pull the heck away from there. And if she sees somebody ahead of us or behind us she wants to go greet them and tries to drag me to do it. Yesterday I stopped walking every time she pulled and thend brought her back to "side" I paraise her when there is loose leash, but she would go right back to pulling (mostly because she is in a state of fear at the dog sounds)

3) Just to be on either the left or right (My choice) of me and not pulling like crazy. Loose leash and not tripping me.

4) hopefully within 2 months...by the time she is 6 months old I hope she is a a nice calm, loose leash walker.

[jamiegirl]

1. When it's just the 2 of us, I'm happy 75% of the time. When we're walking with the kids, 5 % is pushing it. She pulls and doesn't heel when they walk with us.
2. We try walking with ythe children at least 2 - 3 times a week but I don't see an improvement with her. I might be doing something wrong or I need to do something more since there are more distractions.
3. It would be if I control everything - the pace we are going, where we are going and who or what we could "check out".
4. I anticipate several more months of training.