Cove Mountain Kennels

 

Walking the dog on lead, seems easy enough, right? For many people, walking the dog on leash is a frustrating experience; one where you match your strength against the dog’s pull. Thinking about the leash differently may help your dog understand you and help you to have a better experience walking the dog on the leash.

Most people think of the leash as a control device for the dog. Put it on and pull him into place. The problem is that more often than not, the dog uses it to control you by pulling you around. It often becomes a struggle of strength between the two of you. A big strong guy might be up to the task, but often times, it’s just not worth it for a lady to walk the family dog, especially if it is one of the larger breeds of gun dogs. 

Instead of thinking of the leash as a control device to pull the dog into position, think of it as a communication tool to let the dog know when he is in correct position, or when he is out of position. I absolutely love the Delmar Smith Command Lead for the initial leash (heel) training; however a properly fitted choke chain collar will also work. Place the command lead, or choke collar high on the neck, right behind the ears. If you feel carefully high on the sides of a dogs neck there is a small depression, followed by a small spinal process that bumps out. Proper placement of the training lead/collar is right in this depression.

Once the lead is in place and the dog is on you left side (most common), give the command (“Heel!) and step off crisply with the left foot. You are the leader here; you decide where you are going, at what speed, and just what will be sniffed, marked, etc. Hold the leash up, or just slightly to the side of the dog’s neck with just enough pressure to keep the lead in the groove behind the head. When the dog starts to get out of position, give a crisp snap on the lead, then return to the normal light pressure to let the dog know he is getting out of position. You are not pulling the dog back into position, rather telling him through the leash that he is not following your lead. If you find that the leash is slipping out of the groove, you are trying to control the dog with the leash and pull him back into position.

When the dog is challenging your authority by getting out ahead of you and pulling on the leash, turn a sharp 90 degrees to the right, giving the lead a crisp pop to let him know he is out of position and not following your lead. Similarly, you can 90 to the left, snap the lead and bump him with your knee to let him know he is out of position.

I would like to stress the position of the lead/collar close up behind the head and the fact that if the collar is constantly slipping out of this position, you are trying to control the dog by pulling him to heel. If he is pulling, he is asserting his dominance over you.

I think that for many dogs, it feels good to pull, something like a sled dog driving against their harness. This is fine for a sled dog, or a team of horses, but not for your dog you are walking around the block, or down the two-track to a good looking hunting spot.