Question about loose leash training

[dal]

Hi All,

I had been walking Cooper (he turned 1 in November) with the easy walk harness but a trainer we had suggested ditching the harness and really train him to walk on a regular loose leash.  It's been going pretty well but the one question I have is where exactly is he supposed to be walking in relation to me?  We're at the point now where he doesn't pull purposely but he always gets ahead of me; not much because he's on a 4 foot leash but he's never in step with me or behind me unless I am treating him.  He's always a step or two ahead of me.  If he gets too far ahead and the leash gets tight, he stops and turns to me to wait for me.

Today I tried making the leash really short but he's still a little bit ahead of me and I end up stopping every second because the leash is so short he inevitably reaches the end of it.

Any advice on how I can teach him to walk by my side?

Thank you!

[Adina P]

Loose leash is just that, loose leash. It doesn't require the dog walking in any spot in relation to you. What you want to teach is "heel" it sounds like. Heeling is about the dog's position in relation to you. But I would ask my trainer since you already work together.

[dal]

Ah I got it.  Thanks!

I was only working with the trainer temporarily to address Cooper's jumping on visitors so she is not coming to work with us anymore.  But I will look into training him to "heel."

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Adina, if the dog is walking next to you, head lined up with your thigh, that's heeling, not loose leash walking. Loose leash walking just means that the dog is not pulling and there is some slack in the leash. That's all you need to pass the CGC. 

[dal]

Thanks!

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

They recommend keeping the collar high on the neck like in a dog show. You have more control (except it's hard with dog's like boxers). Keep him by you except when you want him to potty. But, what do I know I am using a walker. Good luck.

[dal]

Thank you!

[Ally Harney]

 Starting obedience training this week. As soon as we get to the subject,. I will let you know what a professional says.

[dal]

Great, thank you!

[Adina P]

There are lots of ways to teach it.  Some better/more effective than others.

I use a more 'old school' training method and I use a choke chain in training (no I don't constantly yank on the dog's neck and say 'heel' while I do it ;-)).  Other methods involve using treats and only taking one step at a time until the dog learns the position.  And so on....lots of variety out there. 

Here is Boca (8 months or so) heeling with me 5 years ago: 

Note that "heel" means that the dog holds a position (Boca was not perfect, but pretty good for a pup!) and sits when you stop.

[dal]

Thanks so much for the video!  So how many times into training heel was this?  Boca is doing an awesome job here!!!

[Adina P]

2ish months? I'm not sure.  I started her between 5 and 6 months and then took a short break because of spaying and then started up again almost from scratch.  The training I did was about 40 minutes a day, 4-6 days a week.  Very little was at home, almost all involved going out to parks and other places depending on whether I wanted her to resist distractions or not.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I did train both of my guys to "heel" which as everyone has said means they have to walk right by my side, and I still use this command at times when I'm nearing distractions (joggers, other dogs) to keep better control over them....I have one on each side of me. I also use the command when we're walking in a place where there are odors that are totally distracting to them (this time of year there can be goose poop, which they think is the best thing ever). When they're on a heel command there are no "noses to the ground".   Most of the time though we walk with a loose leash because that gives them a little more freedom but I still maintain control.  If the leash tightens I stop walking.  They know what that means.