Tips For Good Leash Walking
Discussion
I'm hoping to try to crowd source some good tips and anecdotes that folk have for walking hyper dogs on a lead!
Our 2 year old springer is awful on the lead, and I've tried every method that dog trainers, books and videos online typically describe with no joy, so maybe there's some less mainstream methods that PH's dog owners might have successfully tried and could share!
Our dog, Moose's problem is that he just doesn't understand walking pace - he's just too excited. He walks really awkwardly on the lead because he just wants to shoot off, so his back legs are always sort of squatting and hunkered down when leashed. He ends up kind of waddling almost sideways sometimes, as his back end thinks about overtaking the front. I really fear we'll have hip issues in the future if he racks up miles walking like this. He needs to learn to walk calmly at our pace and stretch those back legs out. He's done it occasionally and it makes such a massive difference to his gait and stride. Currently he's on a halti while we come up with a new method of training, but even then he's still pulling away - he just can't do it with as much strength.
Me and my wife took a week off work last year just to dedicate to positively training this after adopting him, and would take him out on like 10+ micro walks a day to no avail.
So, over the last year we've tried short tiny walks where we stop moving whenever he pulls, and only start again when he returns to our heel. We've tried turning him and walking the opposite direction whenever he pulls. We've tried clicker training to mark when he's walking in the right position, I've tried straight up bribery where I walk with a treat in my hand by my side, I've tried dropping a treat periodically just behind me as we go in the hope that he'll stay in that position waiting for the next one. We've tried to reward him within 2 or three steps if he's stayed in position, but just nothing has stuck. He has learned that if I stop walking, he needs to shuffle back to my feet and sit down before we start again, but as soon as we are moving he's straight off bouncing at the end of the lead again.
How did the rest of PH's pups crack this one?
Our 2 year old springer is awful on the lead, and I've tried every method that dog trainers, books and videos online typically describe with no joy, so maybe there's some less mainstream methods that PH's dog owners might have successfully tried and could share!
Our dog, Moose's problem is that he just doesn't understand walking pace - he's just too excited. He walks really awkwardly on the lead because he just wants to shoot off, so his back legs are always sort of squatting and hunkered down when leashed. He ends up kind of waddling almost sideways sometimes, as his back end thinks about overtaking the front. I really fear we'll have hip issues in the future if he racks up miles walking like this. He needs to learn to walk calmly at our pace and stretch those back legs out. He's done it occasionally and it makes such a massive difference to his gait and stride. Currently he's on a halti while we come up with a new method of training, but even then he's still pulling away - he just can't do it with as much strength.
Me and my wife took a week off work last year just to dedicate to positively training this after adopting him, and would take him out on like 10+ micro walks a day to no avail.
So, over the last year we've tried short tiny walks where we stop moving whenever he pulls, and only start again when he returns to our heel. We've tried turning him and walking the opposite direction whenever he pulls. We've tried clicker training to mark when he's walking in the right position, I've tried straight up bribery where I walk with a treat in my hand by my side, I've tried dropping a treat periodically just behind me as we go in the hope that he'll stay in that position waiting for the next one. We've tried to reward him within 2 or three steps if he's stayed in position, but just nothing has stuck. He has learned that if I stop walking, he needs to shuffle back to my feet and sit down before we start again, but as soon as we are moving he's straight off bouncing at the end of the lead again.
How did the rest of PH's pups crack this one?
I found the Gentle Leader (recommended by a Vet friend) to be useful with our Large Munsterlander.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000A27NIU/ref=asc_df_...
It basically makes it uncomfortable to pull.
I also heard someone somewhere saying with their Spaniel they "pre-walk" it by smashing a tennis ball into the field for half an hour before going out on the lead, so some of the excess energy is burned off before...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000A27NIU/ref=asc_df_...
It basically makes it uncomfortable to pull.
I also heard someone somewhere saying with their Spaniel they "pre-walk" it by smashing a tennis ball into the field for half an hour before going out on the lead, so some of the excess energy is burned off before...
I can appreciate the dog's energy levels - I'm pretty familiar with them by now! And his recall has come on leaps and bounds so he is getting off lead time now. But I need to walk him TO the places where he gets off lead, and I like to take him to the pub etc. I see "urban" spaniels like mine everywhere being walked just fine. The trainer who's classes I've attended trains gundogs when he's not doing general obedience courses, and uses all his cockers as demo dogs - all good as gold and has never said there's an in built issue with getting them to walk to heel.
I believe if the training is rewarding enough, most dogs can be taught just about anything that could be expected of them.
Regardless of breed or type, any success story for tackling leash walking that I might take some inspiration from would be brilliant.
I believe if the training is rewarding enough, most dogs can be taught just about anything that could be expected of them.
Regardless of breed or type, any success story for tackling leash walking that I might take some inspiration from would be brilliant.
How much off-lead time is he getting?
Our dog (collie greyhound lurcher) isn't the best at walking to heal on the lead, but while with training he is now reasonably good as long as it's after he has been able to have a run not before it. Off the lead he is much better at walking to heal, but will still run if he sees a squirrel or cat.
With a Puppy or new rescue I would be quite happy with a dog that walked to heal after a walk but not before it.
Daniel
Our dog (collie greyhound lurcher) isn't the best at walking to heal on the lead, but while with training he is now reasonably good as long as it's after he has been able to have a run not before it. Off the lead he is much better at walking to heal, but will still run if he sees a squirrel or cat.
With a Puppy or new rescue I would be quite happy with a dog that walked to heal after a walk but not before it.
Daniel
He goes to the dog part in the morning for some recall training and general running about, dog walker takes him out for 90 mins in the afternoon, but it depends on where the go if he gets off lead as his recall is still work in progress, and I take him back to the park for 30 mins in the evenings for more of the same. When he gets back in he's totally sparkled. Snores away upside down as soon as the dinner has been out.
I've never struggled to train leash walking to our previous dogs (collie crosses, labs). This one just seems to be a much tougher student. He's learned everything else I've taught him with ease. But these were all call and response type commands, where as leash walking is more of a passive behaviour rather than something he gets told to do.
I've never struggled to train leash walking to our previous dogs (collie crosses, labs). This one just seems to be a much tougher student. He's learned everything else I've taught him with ease. But these were all call and response type commands, where as leash walking is more of a passive behaviour rather than something he gets told to do.
At least he starts from a heel
Give him a reasonable length of leash, as soon as he gets ahead enough for the leash to tighten stop and do a 180.
He has to turn to get back to you, as he reaches you start walking again,, just before the leash tigthens stop and do another 180.
repeat ad infinitum
If you can time it so the leash is only tight for a very short time, he may begin to understand that walking on a slack leash while he is walking back to you is a lot more pleasant.
And of course it's what you want.
Currently he doesn't know what you want.
He is pulling because he thinks it's a game, he can feel you pulling back so he thinks it's OK He assumes you are playing the same game.
Having given that advice I should add I'm having a devil of a time with my recent adoptee, I was making decent progress then hit a brick wall.
ETA Best to start this where you are his only attraction,. so not on his usual walking route, maybe a local car park.
Give him a reasonable length of leash, as soon as he gets ahead enough for the leash to tighten stop and do a 180.
He has to turn to get back to you, as he reaches you start walking again,, just before the leash tigthens stop and do another 180.
repeat ad infinitum
If you can time it so the leash is only tight for a very short time, he may begin to understand that walking on a slack leash while he is walking back to you is a lot more pleasant.
And of course it's what you want.
Currently he doesn't know what you want.
He is pulling because he thinks it's a game, he can feel you pulling back so he thinks it's OK He assumes you are playing the same game.
Having given that advice I should add I'm having a devil of a time with my recent adoptee, I was making decent progress then hit a brick wall.
ETA Best to start this where you are his only attraction,. so not on his usual walking route, maybe a local car park.
Edited by jeff m2 on Thursday 28th February 04:57
If you're comfortable with it, get a slip lead and put it in a figure of 8.
My spaniel walks to heal for about 20 yards then gets bored of that and pulls like a train. She is now walked off the lead at all timed and everyone is happy. I simply gave up on that part of her training as when she is off lead she just trots along about 5/10 yards in front.
My spaniel walks to heal for about 20 yards then gets bored of that and pulls like a train. She is now walked off the lead at all timed and everyone is happy. I simply gave up on that part of her training as when she is off lead she just trots along about 5/10 yards in front.
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