Remember when Mom said that some dogs won't respond to the stop and wait method? I'm one of those dogs. I will stand at the end of the leash for hours without making it loose. Why? Don't ask me. I'm just trying to get where I want to go. Thus, my mom had to train me with the penalty yards method. Let me give you some additional tips that really helped her:
- Try using something that really motivates your dog to want to do what you say. For example, Mom would let Dad, Muggsy and Fenway walk ahead of me. Every time, I pulled to catch up, I got penalty yards, falling even further behind! I would have to work really hard to catch up.
- If you always walk the same route every night, try going in the opposite direction. When I think I'm walking back home, I walk very politely because I don't want to go home. This gave my mom lots of chances to reward positive behavior.
- Make a lot of left turns right into your dog. That makes us pay attention!
- Don't talk to us when we're pulling. It doesn't work.
- Train in every new area that you visit. I need loose-leash walking training before every therapy visit because I want to pull to get inside. Mom arrives early and uses penalty yards to get inside.
- Stop and have your dog sit and focus. I always do better when I'm in working mode, so Mom often puts me in working mode when she really needs me to behave, like therapy visits.
Most of all, just remember to be patient. Some dogs will always need a little training at the beginning of the walk or in a new situation. If you are consistent with the training, the loose-leash walking will fall in place quickly. If you allow it occasionally, pulling will always continue.
Now, get out there and walk your dog! Love, Chubbs
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