How old was you dog when he became a “good” walker?

[BG and Gavin]

*Note:  post being made while being influenced by feelings of frustration*

So how old was you dog when he became a “good” walker?  Okay Gavin is just a puppy, one week shy of 6 months and maybe my expectations are too high, but after 80 minutes of walking a day, everyday for the past three months, I would hope that he would be better.  The issue is pulling forward and to the side and picking up rocks on the road.  He was loose leash walking about 75% of the time (unless he spotted a person or dog, then surged forward).  However the last few days it has been a near constant struggle.  Heeling in class is a joke because he is surging forward to catch the dog in front.  He is not dominant or aggressive in any way – just wants to visit EVERYONE!  He has a pretty decent sit-stay, down-stay, even with distractions and is well mannered in the house.  He also knows a wide variety of tricks.  His recall is so-so.  I have done the stop, make him sit, turn and go the other way routine.  Also lots of positives (praise and treats) when is does the right thing.  The trainer would like to try a plastic pinch collar on him tomorrow (Triple Crown).  I am pretty consistent and a good leader but my “calm, assertive energy” is waning on walks.  My husband shares in the training and is pretty consistent too.  Are my expectations too high?  Also to add, he weighs nearly 50lbs.

[laurie lehr]

You will be amazed by the pinch collar,it should help alot.Jasper is 15months old and he only pulls without the pinch collar. When we were praticing constently for the K-9 good citizen he did alot better. So practice , practice , pratice! Good Luck

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I know your frustration. Yankee is over 2yrs old and still pulls unless I put a harness on him. I hate leash walking.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri is terrible. And we do lots of walks and I am in a condo, so EVERY trip outside is on a leash. We use a harness every time, but I am about to buy the gentle leader.....

[Kay and Tanner.]

Tanner turned three years old today, and we still have to put the gentle leader on him when we take him out walking.

[Gina and Finn]

Finn does much better with the Gentle Leader harness.He is 10 months and 60 lbs.

[Adina P]

Age has nothing to do with it because 'a good walker' is a human construct and something that makes sense to US, not to a dog. So it's not like he'll 'mature' into a good walker. It comes down to training.

I'm pretty sure dogs don't consider themselves as nuisances and dangerous and frustrating when they are pulling. They aren't probably even really considering what they are doing as 'pulling' -- they are simply going where they want to go and in denial that a leash is attached...LOL. Since it's not a natural thing for a dog to walk the way WE want them to, it is ONLY training that will result in a good leash walker. Age is absolutely irrelevant.

Rosco and our late great Thule were excellent leash walkers, but only because we used a very effective training method (not due to our skills or the doodle's smarts) and put in a lot of work. But I use an "old school" method that not everyone likes...but it's amazingly effective and will get you excellent leash walking within a couple weeks around minor distractions...3-4 months for hard distractions.

Personally I find "loose leash walking" WAY more confusing than "heel" because "heel" is very well defined but loose leash walking is, well, LOOSELY defined and not very clear cut (to me).

As to "calm, assertive energy" -- I think it's GOOD to have that attitude while training, walking, interacting with your dogs...BUT...energy alone does not a trained dog make.

Pinch collar may work fine, but again is it because the method of use/teaching/training is good or because it's a band-aid? That's the question to answer. I prefer training to band-aids for walking because I refuse to be pulled along. In fact, whenever I see people walking dogs who are 6 feet ahead of them on a tight leash I have to talk myself out of going up to them and begging them to let me train their dog to heel =) I may not be good at other things, but I am determined no dog of mine will pull me around and it drives me bonkers when I see dogs yanking their people around. It's just plain dangerous (to the dog and person).

[cheryl & oliver]

Adina, can I send Oliver to you for heel training? I am more then willing to pay for the airfare and you teaching him to heel and walk properly on a leash. We have been trying, but he just will not heel, and I am sure it is our fault, but we certainly have been trying...I wish I was 25 yrs younger, maybe then it would be easier,he is a big dog, and like u say it is dangerous for both myself and him, but if you are thinking of going into the business of traing dogs, let me be the 1st to send Mr, Oliver....

[Adina P]

Heehee...I wish! Maybe in a few years... =)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'll feel your pain! Darwin is less-than-stellar on the leash.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I'm still waiting... my dogs are generally terrible walkers but excellent runners and offleash hikers. So we don't walk onleash a lot. I hate being dragged down the street by 2 strong 70lbs dogs + it's bad for my neighborhood dog expert image ;)

[Adina P]

:-)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I know exactly what it would take for me to get Peri to walk like she is supposed to, but quite honestly, it is hard to train this having two dogs on leashes at once. So I may end up doing the "bandaid" technique!
But it is correct that age will not improve Gavin's leash walking. Either learn a great way to train heel or loose leash walking and do it on a daily basis OR bandaid it! I choose to spend more time on commands around the house rather than leash training. To each his own....