Playtime walks vs. Best-Behavior Walks?

[GMJ]

Hi! I have labradoodle pup that is working REALLY hard to behave on his walks and I applaud him for that. He falls short at times and obviously, that is all on me!

Here's the situation: some walks for us are very goal directed, meaning we are in a crowd or rather congested area where his safety and other folks' convenience requires him to hang close and be steady.

At times though, I believe the dood needs to be permitted to meander a bit and sniff around if time and safety allow it. I mean, he IS a dood, after all...

I know in advance what we will be getting into on our journey. If it's going to be all business, I keep that consistent from the start, even before the crowds set in. If we will be sniffing and exploring, that begins from the minute we cross our front door (same as the all-business outings).

In spite of that, I think the messages are mixed.

We always walk on a harness and with the same leash, just at different tension depending on circumstances. 

Is there a possibility that changing to a different collar and leash would help him understand the different circumstances?

He is EXCELLENT at picking up first cues of what is next in every other aspect of our day, and barely needs a reward to learn anything I've shown him. This remains a tough area for him, though (although goodness this little boy tries so hard and tells me very clearly when he's confused!)

Thoughts?

[Barbara, Zoey and Zeke]

Sounds like things are going pretty well!  There are a couple things I do that might help.  On the "playtime" walks, I walk in a more leisurely fashion and let Zoey take her time.  These are usually done in the evening and are not as long.

With a structured walk, I walk with purpose for exercise.  These walks are longer and in the morning. 

I really don't have a traffic issue too much.  We have the same harness and leash on both times.   I think you are doing fine, and will just take lots and lots of practice. 

[GMJ]

I try to do the opposite. I like to keep his "all-business" walks as direct and short as possible and leave longer (about an hour or so) of free-sniff time. So many times, though, he's gotten frustrated to the point of sitting himself down, staring at me and letting out a whimper  because he doesn't understand why he's being corrected. 

That's not cool for him, and I would probably be confused, too!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Many years ago, I was told by a trainer that you can have a word you use when walking your dog to signal to the dog that he is "off duty" at the moment and can relax and play. "Free" was one of the words suggested. The scenario was, you start out on your "best-behavior", business walk, and then at some point if you want, you release the dog by using his code word, and then he knows that he can leave your side, sniff around, roll in the grass, etc. 

[GMJ]

That seems very much in line with service dog training, now that I think about it. A good suggestion!

I'm not sure how I can help him understand that, though. If he's not catching on to the difference in tone I have from the beginning of the walk, I don't know how to help him understand a spoken signal. Any thoughts?

Oh, a catch in all of this is that I cannot over-treat him. He's got a pretty odd little tummy and can't tolerate generous treating as part of training (seriously - everything I've tried). That's why I'm so lucky this little guy understand other cues so well!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You're very perceptive, lol. It's used with Police K9s. :)

As I remember it, you start using the word, let's say it's "Free" during all training sessions, especially at home, to signal the end of the session. We'd say free, and then toss a ball (for walks and advanced work, it's one of those balls on a short rope so you can hang on to it) or initiate whatever play your dog likes. 

[GMJ]

I have not used this at all in his training and I wish I would have! Although he figured out pretty fast in early stages that he didn't get treats every time he sat and looked dignified. Man, was he BUMMED about that harsh reality of life...

I'll give that a shot for sure.

[Stephanie Bowman]

My trainer told us to clap twice whenever the "heel" training walk was over. We are still tackling the heel walk, so I am definitely not well-versed in this, but figured I'd share her helpful tip :)

[GMJ]

Oh! I like that and something just clicked with me (no pun intended in the next sentence...)

I haven't used a clicker on his walks just because it's too much for my hands (bad thumbs) when I'm controlling his leash. If I use the clicker when he's doing well on a business walk and it never shows up on a playtime walk, would that help or hurt things?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

During the same walk my dogs might need to heel closer to me and also might be allowed to potty.  I say heel for a closer walk, then when they can sniff etc, I say "free."  I use free for any release. My son uses the word "Close" and slaps his left thigh once when his poodle needs to walk closely.  She picked that up very quickly.   I think whatever you do, if you are consistent, will work - just needs time.

[GMJ]

Also a good thought. Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong and need to focus more on heel command in all settings, even randomly at home like it's a pop quiz instead of working the business walk vs. playtime idea.

I like it!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I always combine "fun time" with disciplined "walk by my side time", and my guys have totally learned the difference.  I do use "heel or walk" to tell them that it's time to walk right by my side with no pulling.  I do not allow them to stop and sniff when I've given that command.  Throughout the walk I take time to let them sniff and I follow their lead on where they want to go...I just say "okay or you're free" and I let the leash out.  After a few minutes or if I see that there's going to be a distraction we go back to "heel".  If they start to pull during the disciplined walk time they're now at the point where I can just verbally correct them...or I just stop in my tracks and wait.  Murphy can be reactive to other dogs especially if they're off leash, so that's when it's critical that I have him in a "heel" and we walk in the opposite direction of the dog. I will say it has taken a really long time and lots of training to get to this point when I have both of them together.  Individually they're fine, but when they're together it can be a bit more challenging.

[GMJ]

That's very similar to what I do with him now. If he pulls, he has to sit and wait for me to count to five with eye contact and my fingers counting down. No sitting, no eye contact or failing to wait till I reach 5 and we start again.

Maybe it does take time, and we're doing OK. It just seems REALLY hard for him to grasp and he's usually Puppy on the Spot with everything else so I figure it has to be something I'm doing.

I definitely hear ya on the other dogs thing. He's getting better with that as he gets older, though!

Thank you for the rundown on what's worked for you for sure!