Walking Nicely On A Leash

I hear you!  We all dream about it when we bring our dogs home.  Taking them on daily adventures to the park, fairs & just a walk around the neighborhood.  But the dreaded walking nicely on a leash...It takes time, so please be ready for some patience on this one!

I will write an upcoming article all about it, I promise.  In the meantime, please watch Dexter at the park today walking on his leash.  Inspiration that it can happen & you can do it all by using positive training techniques & lots of fun.  :)

Walking a dog on leash

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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Dogs Pulling on Leash

Book of the Day:



This book is a great read for anyone who owns a dog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself and have read it more than once.

-Review from the Publisher-
The Culture Clash is special. Jean Donaldsons first book is quite simply the very best dog book I have ever read. It is utterly unique, fascinating to the extreme, and literally overflowing with information that is so new it virtually redefines the state of the art in dog behavior and training. Written in Jeans inimitably informal yet precise lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. In fact, I read the manuscript three times in a row before it was even published. The Culture Clash depicts dogs as they really are - stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their loveable can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, whats in it for me philosophy. Jeans tremendous affection for dogs shines through at all times, as does her keen insight into the dogs mind. Relentlessly, she champions the dogs point of view, always showing concern for their education and well being. The Culture Clash joins a very distinctive group of books and it runs at the head o! f the pack. Like Karen Pryors Dont Shoot the Dog, The Culture Clash has a refreshingly original perspective. Like Gwen Bohnenkamps books, The Culture Clash cuts to the chase - no ifs and no buts - heres the story - now educate your dog! Without a doubt, Jeans book is the hottest doggy item on the market - the quintessential book for dog owners and dog trainers alike - a very definite two paws up! Do yourself and your dogs a big favor: Give it a read! And lets look forward to many more books by Jean Donaldson.Dr. Ian Dunbar -- the publisher

Straight from the page on Amazon and I couldnt agree more. Reading this book gives you a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, which in turn will help you teach your dog. I recommend this book to everyone, especially to people thinking about getting a dog. This book should be on everyones shelf in my opinion.

Question of the Day: How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash?
Answer: There are several ways to go about this, including; Clicker, balanced, or praise & discipline.

The Clicker Way

There are a few different ways to go about it with the clicker, heres a couple.

To start off, go to a non-distracting area outside or inside. If your outside, be sure you are in a safe, fenced in area where your dog cant run off. If you dont have a place like that, use a 6 ft leash. You can tie this leash to your belt if youd like so you dont have to worry about not having enough rooms in your hands. The leash is just there to keep your dog with you, you wont be using it for anything else. You can also use the leash if your dog is too distracted and keeps wondering off for something better to do.

Now, simply start walking around. Every time your dog is right by your side, click and treat. Continue walking, keep clicking and treating for dog being by your side. If your using a leash for this and your dog starts pulling, turn and walk the other way. More than likely your dog will turn and go to walk by you to start pulling in the other direction. Click and treat the instant they are at your side (even if they are passing by). Your dog will soon learn the best place to be is by your side.

If your doing this with out the leash and are inside you can also start walking in a circle. Youll click each time your dog is by your side, but this time youll toss the treat in the middle of the circle. This gives your dog a chance to repeat the behavior. Your dog will go get the treat, then hopefully return to your side.

Keep practicing this for a few lessons till your do is repeatedly going to your side! Now that you have your dogs attention, when your dog comes up to your side, take 1 step, click and treat your dog for staying by your side for that one step. Repeat a few times then take 2 steps. Repeat until you are walking 5 steps before rewarding your dog. Now your going to add a little variety in as you work up to longer periods of your dog walking beside you. Start adding more steps, but every few times click at a previous step. Such as:

• 5 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 3 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 7 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 2 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 9 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 1 step, Click & Treat
  
• 11 steps, Click & Treat
  
• 5 steps, Click & Treat
  

You get the point, keep bouncing back and forth with how many steps you take and your dog wont realize they are walking with you for longer periods of time. Keep practicing this, keeping sessions short and doing a few lessons a day if you can. Before long youll have a dog who loves walking at your side. Be sure to practice in different rooms in your house, and gradually adding more and more distractions.

Some dogs once they get outside, could care less about the treats. Then you have to get clever and find things that they find rewarding such as Sniffing the trees, or doing what they are wanting to do. Be sure you get them to do what you want them to do first, such as walking by your side for 5 steps, Click and release them to go do what they want. This will be more rewarding to them than a treat.

There are several ways to go about this! This is just a couple. If you have a dog who pulls on a leash and youd like to put an end to it, how about setting up some lessons with a local Dog Trainer? If your in my area (Magic Valley & Sun Valley Idaho) you can give me a call at 308-5627 to set up some lessons. Id be more than happy to help!

Trick of the Week:

Rollover

This weeks trick is Rollover! Best way to teach tricks, is to use a clicker and some treats. Get those handy along with your dog, find a non-distracting room with carpet so your dog can rollover easily.

To start, Kneel down and have your dog do a down in front of you. Hold a treat close to your dogs nose and have your dog follow it as you bring your hand towards his shoulder. Your arm should be over the dogs head as you bring the dogs nose into its shoulder. Youll know your doing this right if your dog moves onto its hip in a relaxed position. Click and treat as soon as your dog moves onto its hip! Do this a few more times.

Now, move your hand further over his shoulder so your dog has to lay on its side in order to follow your hand. Some dogs have trouble at this point, but keep trying. As soon as your dog lays on its side, click and treat! Repeat a few more times.

Next, move your hand further so now your dog has to turn his body over to follow the treat. Click and treat the second he does this! Repeat this a few more times.

Now, repeat and this time put the cue onto it such as Rollover! When your dog rolls over, click and toss the treat so its a complete rollover. Congrats! Keep practicing and youll have a dog rolling over on cue and something to impress your friends with!

Remember each time you click & treat, you start from the beginning.

Currently Available at Talented K9

Private Lessons

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If you live in the Magic Valley or Sun Valley Areas, sign up today by calling Amy at 1 (208) 308-5627 You can visit our website at www.talentedk9.com

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Off Leash Dogs Meet My Little Friends

Running into a dog off leash in a public place where leash laws are in effect is one of the things that irks me the most.  When I decided to finally write this post, I know Im going to have to take some breaks, breath deeply and just keep my cool.  For those of you who allow your dog off leash in public places that have leash laws (Im not talking about zoned off leash dog parks & dog beaches), shame on you!   You heard me.  I am so disappointed that you think you & your dog is above the law & put your needs above others.  Here are a few things to consider before unsnapping your dogs leash in public.

·        Not all  humans feel comfortable with all breeds.

·        Not all dogs enjoy unfamiliar dogs invading their space.

·        Dogs with an injury, seniors, dogs healing from surgery or illness can be sensitive about their space.

·        Dog parents may be working on behavior skills for their dogs such as ignoring other dogs.

·        Service dogs are not to say hello to dogs while working.  Not all service dogs are identified by vests.

·        Not all dogs are friendly with all dogs.

·        If you are in a public space, likely you have a leash law.  That leash law is probably a 5 or 6 leash.

Personally I have been in more than one of the above scenarios and know dogs and their humans for the other.  The sad truth is a lot can go wrong in a blink of an eye.  I know many people who have been the victims of off-leash dog fights.  Their dogs being the ones leashed and  injured, some severely.  I too have come across my share of off leash dogs in public settings & luckily to this day have avoided fights with a few tools I will address in this post.  Hopefully, these tools will help you if you too find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

First, I want to just confirm I love dogs. I adore them & have made a career working with them & rescuing them.  However, my family, which includes my dog comes first.  I have the right & an obligation to protect my family.  Period.  End of story.

Second, Im proactive.  In this situation that would mean Im not going to wait and see if a dog is going to cause injury, scare, or in any other way make contact with my dog.  My current dog Dexter is very appropriate, friendly and social.  But he does not like to be jumped on or wrestled with and can easily be injured.  

As I start to list some ideas to keep your dog safe, it is important to know that nothing is 100%.  Not every idea will work for every dog in every situation.  These are not listed in any particular order, it truly depends on your personal situation, where you are, how fast the approaching dog is coming etc.  Sometimes you can make things worse.  Unfortunately, thats just the nature of the beast.  The only 100% solution is for pet parents to keep their dog leashed, prevent them from escaping their yards, homes & not to release dogs into the wild to become strays & have puppies!

1. If the approaching dogs human is nearby, holler, "my dog is contagious and aggressive!"  While you are saying that, continue to swiftly move in the opposite direction with your dog. 

   

   Sit/Stay

2. Teach a very reliable Sit/Stay.  Work with your dog over the course of his life to teaching a Sit/Stay in various distractions & environments.  With an approaching off leash dog, ask your dog to "Sit/Stay" behind you, calmly walk towards the approaching dog & throw a fist full of treats at the dogs head.  Yes, you want them to land on the dogs head so it startles him a second.  Then hopefully he will start to eat those treats & as he does, toss another handful over his head towards the direction he was coming from.  Retreat calmly, but swiftly with your dog.  Hopefully, the irresponsible owner will be able to collect his dog as you make your escape.
3. Play traffic cop.  As soon as the approaching dog comes towards you, face off with the dog & hold your dogs leash behind you so you are in the middle of the approaching dog & your dog.  As you do this raise your hand out

   

   Traffic cop

   like a traffic cop stopping traffic, straight out.  Yell, "Stop!  Go Home!"  Repeat if the dog startles & seems to be listening.  At this same time, you are walking backward with your dog, still holding your cop hand out.  Keep telling him to go home.  If the loose dog is sort of listening, but still lingering a bit, I get a bit louder.
4. Air horn.  This has been one of my favorites over the past few years.  Now its extremely important to condition  your dog that this noise is a good thing & not scary.  If your dog is easily startled or unsure of certain noises, do not do this.  Very similar to the traffic cop in #3, present your body the same, but this time adding the horn.
5. Umbrella.  This like the air horn in #4, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable with the umbrella.  As the dog is approaching face, the umbrella towards him & quickly & loudly pop it open.  If needed, you can shake the popped up umbrella towards the dog as you yell or tell him to go home.  The unopened umbrella can double as a stick if you end up in a fight & you actually need to hit the other dog to have him release your dog.
6. Direct Stop, Spray Shield, Pepper Spray and Bear Spray.  These tools are probably the ones that can be iffy in situations.  One of the biggest downsides is that your dog & you are likely to also have its wrath if sprayed.  Bear spray does seem to have a better aim.  However, if the approaching dog does start to attack your dog it may be your only option.
7. Picking your dog up.  If you have a smaller dog this can be a good option if your other attempts at

   

   Pick up your dog

   backing off the loose dog is failing.  But it is important to note, that a dog being held in the air can be more arousing to the other dog & the other dog can jump on you & knock you both down.  This could be a very scary & possibly life threatening situation.  So exercise extreme caution if attempting this move.  If at all possible, place your dog INSIDE of something the oncoming dog cannot get at such as a pickup truck, roof of a car, garbage can or throwing them over a fenced yard.
8. The unthinkable.  When nothing works & you or your dog are being attacked you will need to try to defend yourself.  My hope is that you will have some kind of tool on you (umbrella, stick, or spray).  You are going to want to cause as much injury as you can to the other dog.  Try hard to be able to get the back legs & swing low & hard away from you.  If you cannot reach the back legs try to hit the dog as hard as you can on his head, eyes, or mouth.  The unthinkable is truly a scary situation & I hope you never have to be in that position.  If you are able to break them apart, it is important to try to secure the other dog to something or he will likely come back for another attack. 

I know this sounds so scary & unfortunately things like this do happen.  Please be careful when you are out walking your dog.  Stay in populated locations so that if the unthinkable happens you will not be alone.  If you have a neighborhood dog who is off leash, dont be shy about your concerns.  Contact your homeowners association, local police & animal control.  Take photos of the dog off leash for evidence & keep a log book.  It is your right to have a carefree walk with your dog.  So stay safe, be proactive & be confident.   You got this.

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Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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