Loose Leash Walking

[Dawn and Molly]

I am looking for some advice with loose leash walking (Molly is a 6th month old puppy).  What I am frustrated with is that sometimes she is so good with loose leash walking, and other times she just pulls and pulls.  It is really inconsistent.  I feel like I am doing the same things.  This last walk I kept her on a shorter leash and she was still pulling a lot.  She has also recently really gotten excited about the birds and squirrels, so that adds to it.  Maybe I should also really pay attention to how much exercise she has gotten before our walks.

I know she can do it, so do I just keep practicing and stay patient?  Or do I invest in something like the no pull freedom harness?  Just wondering if anyone has gone through something similar.

[Susan and Bentley]

it takes a lot, a lot of practice and patience.  I would literally stop walking anytime Bentley pulled, and wouldn't start again until he was sitting next to me.  Sometimes it took 10 minutes just to get down my front path.  I kept a treat in my hand, and kept my hand next to my hip.  If we walked and he did well, he'd get the treat.  A lot of treats at the beginning and then less and less.  He's a really good walker now at 3 years old.  He still pulls a little if he gets excited but I tell him to wait, and he slows down.

[Dawn and Molly]

I am doing the same things Susan.  I understand how it takes a long time to get a short distance with the stopping, lol.  It is nice to know Bentley got it :)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Because I'm a Doggy Dan addict these days, I'll share some of what I've learned from him-
Firstly, yes, definitely check her energy before you even leave the house. She should be at a 2/10 (low energy) before you leave. ( In other words, don't walk her in order to exercise her while you're training.)
Secondly, there is the "structured walk" and the "social walk," and as long as you use release words and it is on your own terms (you decide) then you can let her have a little of both on your walk. If she is really good during the structured walk for a bit (keep it short and sweet, set her up for success, as he says) then switch her to the social walk portion as a reward. Use whatever your release or "you're free" word is (mine is, "OK!") using a longer lead. You can switch between shorter and longer lead this way or just shorten the long lead for the structure portion, whatever is easier for you.
Lastly, try to keep it positive and upbeat rather than frustrating and too long/challenging - calm and keep :)
Good luck!! Best,

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks for the advice!  I subscribed to Doggie Dan in the beginning and know what you are talking about :)  We use walk and o.k.  I think I just need to have patience and keep practicing.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is great advice.  I also do a combination of structured and "free".  We always start out with a structured walk where they are not allowed to stop and smell or pull on the leash.  The leash is short and they are by my side.  If they start to pull I give a correction word and we stop and I put them in a sit.  Then we start again.  They really just want to move forward, so it doesn't take my two more than one or two "stops" for them to start walking right by my side.  I don't speak to them at all during the structured part of the walk we just move forward at a pretty quick pace.  Every now and then when I see that we are coming to something interesting I tell them "you're free" and I let them have more leash and they are allowed to smell and/or pee.  It does take lots of practice, and they will try to get away with pulling if they see something that they want to get to, even though we have been doing this for years....I am always consistent and we never move forward when they're not focused on walking with me.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

And this is a great reminder that training really never "ends," and consistency is key. Thanks, Jane :)

[Dawn and Molly]

Thanks Jane!  We took a walk last night and she did awesome until we saw the bunny.  I just was really patient and stopped until she was settled.  I think the key is going to be patience and practice.  

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Patience and time. Time and patience.  Susan and Bentley gave you great advice.  I will add that I always teach my dogs  (or really try to - each dog has been differently "successful" - none of them would ever have gone beyond CaninGoodCitizen!) three types of walking.  Heel - right at my heel as if I were going to go into obedience, as Susan describes.  I started this way with all my dogs with "Sniffers" as free sniffing and walking with my job being close enough to keep the leash loose, so they aren't pulling.  At about 2 1/2 or 3, I add close, meaning - loose leash, and close to me but not as rigid as heel - as casual walk.  Remember to give potty breaks ( during sniffers for me) otherwise no potty during walks. 

The skill of walking on a loose leash and an absolutely positive recall are the most difficult ordinary things to teach a dog.  Practice, practice, practice, treat, treat, praise, praise and know that a 6 month old still has a lot of energy and walking on a loose leash for any length of time ( five minute at a time - ten maybe) requires, sniffers or some other energy letting off activity.