Out and About Dog Training LLC
  • Training Services
    • Private In Home Training
    • Day Training
    • Online Training Courses
  • FAQ
  • Meet the Trainer
  • Success Stories
  • Gift Card

Loose Leash Walking

8/17/2016

6 Comments

 
Picture
​I have a confession. I have loose leash envy. I secretly admire owners and their dogs Out and About walking together without a struggle.  What a beautiful story book sight to see. You see to me, this was like the house with the white picket fence we dream about when are young. To share a peaceful walk with our four legged best friend.

                Having lived in Ohio with a large fenced in yard; there was never really a need to “walk” my dog for exercise. This yard was great for playing ball, digging holes and just plain running around. Sure, I would occasionally work on “heeling’ since we competed in dog sports and needed to heel from point A to point B but other than that we were out of control. Normally that would get us out of the car and into the vet’s office or dog training center safely without any serious injuries.  Going out for a nature “walk” was out of the question. My dog Jackson would pull and jerk so much that his name turned into “Jesus Jack”

                Knowing that I would be moving to Texas with a much smaller yard and a nice neighborhood to take walks in. I made a promise to myself and the boys that we would be the ones out there walking on a loose leash. That people would be admiring us and giving us thumbs up and high fives as we walked by. Yeah, we would be that cool.

                Truth be told, I have made a lot of mistakes along my way to my loose leash walker status. I have also made a lot of good progress by learning from these mistakes. Most of these mistakes were lack of communication or rather going too far and expecting too much too soon.

               Patience is a Virtue  “These are the rules, pup, I will not pull and drag you and you will not pull and drag me.  If you start to pull. I will wait for a soft loose leash before moving." On occasion he may even offer eye contact to find out why I are not moving in the direction he is pulling. Because of course to them, they pull; we follow. I call him back to me and reward with forward movement which is in fact all he wanted to begin with. Most importantly I want to build our relationship and that it is a walk we will take together.  Wherever we go, we will go together.  

                Environment is ever changing. Keeping in mind to us; the outdoors could be sunny, cold, or wet with rain on cool evening. But to a dog, it is so much more. The smells of the fresh cut grass, dirt, mulch, leaves blowing or the scent of another dog that might have passed by. The sights and smells can be so overwhelming that sometimes we fail to exist to them. Same driveway, different day, different sights and smells. Patience is a virtue. Wherever we go, we will go together. 

                Do not be afraid to change direction. Always be aware of your dog’s surroundings and be your dogs advocate. Look ahead as you progress past your driveway. Is there a person walking their dog? A child playing ball? Someone out for a run? Keep in mind our dog is trying is best to keep it together. Ask yourself if your dog will be successful walking past these distractions. If you are uncertain, change direction.  Be successful, and you will go farther in building that trusting relationship with your dog. That you would not put him in a situation he might not been able to handle. They are aware of what is ahead and they assessing if it is safe or not for them. Build trust. Wherever we go, we will go together. 
 
           I have had some magical moments. You might have seen my husband and I walking our two Weimaraners around the block as you drove past us. He takes Parker while Gibson and I trail behind them. Sometimes we get further behind and that is okay because we are learning that together we will get there.
Wherever we go, we will go together. 

6 Comments
Michele
8/17/2016 04:15:06 pm

Although you are in Texas, where we go, we will go together. :) Your lessons have served Indigo and Ryder well. Thank you!

Reply
Denise
8/20/2016 06:12:16 am

I believe it was on one of our walks in Ohio that I made my confession of my loose leash envy. I am so glad to have spent time walking with you.

Reply
Gwenda
8/17/2016 05:05:57 pm

You remember my struggle. Gunner has been much better but I have to keep in mind we have Weims with an crazy sense of smell and the instinct to lead. One trick I've learned and only use early early morning is to drop the lease at least once when he wants to chase a rabbit. He quickly wears him self out and never goes far in fear of loosing me. After that he is on my right the rest of the way. We miss you and the pups

Reply
Denise
8/20/2016 06:05:48 am

Yes, the struggle is that sometimes they see or smell something before we can change direction. I understand the dropping of the leash - I have been there. Some times that is best for our own safety. I just worry about cars not paying attention to a loose dog running. Start by watching for signs of arousal. Is his ears up just a bit? Is he stopping an air scenting more than normal? Is is fur getting a little hackled? These might be some signals that he is on to something and it may be a good idea to change direction before he gets to that point of "I gotta go". Good luck and keep in touch

Reply
Libby
8/19/2016 03:51:30 am

I hear your voice saying "be the tree" when my Wire Fox Terrier, Watson, tries to pull me and take control. By following your guidance, Watson and I take wonderful walks around the neighborhood and on the trails. I wish you were with us!

Reply
Denise
8/20/2016 05:50:27 am

I am so glad to see you and Watson getting Out and About. Love seeing his pictures - he looks like he is full of life!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
Serving Mansfield, Arlington, Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill Locations
​denise@outandaboutdogtraining.com