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.

[Nugget's Family]

OK....help. What's a pinch collar? Nugget is actually a pretty good "heeler" when we are in familiar surroundings. But, when we travel she gets a little crazy. It would be safer for her (and us) to have another tool for these times.

Thanks!

Susan

[BG and Gavin]

I believe that it needs to be properly fitted to you dog by someone who knows what they are doing and used only under the guidance of professional trainer. Although it is a little scary looking our trainer says that it requires alot less pressure to get the dogs attention. Trachial damage can result from constant pulling on a flat collar (choking). I know there are many varied opinions on the subject right now. I think people need to do their research and do what is comfortable and makes sense to them.

[Nugget's Family]

Thanks. I will ask our trainer about them. As you say.....may require some more research.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I use stainless steel pinch collars on both my dogs and they and I are fine with them. Since they mostly exercise and run around in my yard they don't get walked tthat often and these collars make it possible for me to walk them while keeping my arm in it's socket : )

[BG and Gavin]

I am happy to say that today's walk went much better. One really bad momment though, when he lunged at a black Jeep going by. I was startled and reacted strongly by raising my voice, grabbing his collar and putting him straight into the down position. Hopefully he got the message. Today we went to the park. There is a really large swing set there. I led him weaving in and out of all of the swings and support posts, turning right, left, circling back, stopping, going backwards, fast, slow, etc. I think I will continue doing this everyday to get him to pay better attention to me. I will let you know how obedience class goes tonight.

[BG and Gavin]

Well we decided on a metal prong collar tonight at class. It seemed more durable and versitile. The trainer said once Gavin progresses through training we can start to turn the links around (prongs facing out) one at a time so that he can be weened off of it. She hooked the two rings together so that it would behave more like a flat collar than a slip collar. He responded very well, paid attention more and heeled better, He also looked happy still - head up, tail wagging, so I felt good about that. She also showed me how to attach a second, larger slip collar to wear at the same time as a back up in case the prong collar comes apart. So its off to the store to buy one. She recommended a German made one which had rounded edges and seemed to be better quality. He aced sit-stay test too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

The Herm Sprenger collars are great. I special ordered mine because I wanted stainless steel which doesn't stain fur and I wanted an easy open and close fastener.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

The German one is what we have. Our trainer sells them to her customers. It is the Herm Spreger collar that F. Parker mentions. You can add links as the dog grows and you can also turn it inside out to get it off and on if you are afraid of poking them. One caution...never let them play with other dogs while wearing the collar. They can get hooked up on the other dog's collar. It happend to us once!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our Springer is ADHD and "forgets" not to pull and he is 6 years old. He knows how to heal nicely but he just gets so excited ........ We use a halti/gentle leader = he hates it but it works. I am thinking about the Weiss Walkie - but I have experimented with a looped leash around his middle and while it slows his pulling, it doesn't stop it.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Gracie Doodle was heeling very nicely by 4 months. After a few weeks of training our trainer put her in the prong collar that I hated to see. It just looks so cruel. This is not the kind you buy at the pet store. These are ones that have a stop and the prongs are not sharp. The dog learns to self correct because as she pulls she feels the pressure and doesn't like it. We call it her "halo" because she is the perfect walker with it on. Take it off and walk with a regular collar then there is pulling. Actually, I take that back. She doesn't pull until she sees something she wants. I do have to battle with my husband because with me she walks perfectly right at my knee and with him, he likes to give her a little leash to sniff! We have just changed to the Weiss Walkie and it seems to work as well as the prong collar. Go to the discussion in the Ring Around The Collar Group. Gracie is almost 3yrs. and is 70 lbs and a very strong Doodle. She is a beautiful walker though!!!!! :)

[Jennifer Tramell]

My 2 cents - sounds like you are doing great! 6 months old is still puppy and you should expect him to get a little excited and forget his manners occasionally. My Webster is 11 months and I've noticed a tremendous difference in the past 2 months. I put a little "choke" collar (hate the name but not sure the pc term) on him and it reminds him to mind his manners before he gets too excited. He sounds very similar to your dog and just needs a reminder before he gets worked up. With his regular flat collar, he would get very excited if he saw another dog or certain people and I could hardly pull enough to get his attention. Now, he feels his collar tightening and calms down and behaves quite nicely.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

A really good consistent heel and/or loose leash walk is one of the most difficult things to train. A pinch collar will really help if fitted and used properly. Roo was about 18 months when he was 80% or better on a leash. I have trained quite a few dogs though and had the benefit of several excellent trainers. The counter to that is that for about two months from 6- 8 months I had one foot in a cast an my DH walked Roo everyday. I was really grateful for this, but DH is clueless about loose leash and actually taught (albeit inadvertantly) Roo to pull as he walked.

On the other hand Tigger walked well 90% or better at 6 months, but at 18 months is much worse, due in part to lack of effort on my part, but also to the late onset of teenager.

I just met some LA sheriff department search and rescue teams of dog and handler a couple of weeks ago. They are all volunteers for the sheriff department. Their dogs are all well trained to sit, down, stay, search etc. They actively train their dogs 4 or more times a week plus walks everyday. The two "'young" ( 3 and 4) year old dogs were not nearly as good on a leash as off. Loose leash walking is just not easy for dogs.

Just stay consistent, try the prong collar, read a lot of different books/ internet sites about how dogs learn and you will get there. 100 % perfect leash walking is for professional trainers.

As an aside, if you are trying to walk a six month old puppy for 80 minutes a day it is no wonder you are sometimes frustrated. That is much too long. You will get better results with two 15 minute sessions a day and each session should have at least one break. Use the rest of your time playing with the dog. Many good trainers advocate crating or at least not stimulating/ playing with your dog for 30 minutes or so after each training session. They feel it helps the dog remember what he learned better.