Loose lead or 'pack leader' when walking the puppy

tk123

Should the dog be behind you so you're the leader like in dog whisperer or is a loose lead ok when out for a walk? As some of you know we have a golden retriever puppy - since switching to a sense-ible harness (attaches at the front) he no longer pulls and the lead is nice and loose - we'd only have to correct him the odd time on a walk.

star-pants

If the dog is walking properly and not causing you any problems then I'd say go with what you're doing. Not all techniques work for every dog&owner and not all of them are needed.
If you have control and the dog's enjoying the walk - then there's no problem with how you're doing it (just in my opinion)

peasant

The dog should be at your left heel, with its nose at the seam of your trousers, eyes fixed on you!

Bollo.... as long as the dog is behaved, doesn't pull or act the mickey ...what does it matter where it is?

tk123

Thanks guys we'll stick with the loose lead so!

kkelly77

Dog by your side or slightly behind at all times IMO, regardless if they don't pull. Why break the consistency of your initial training to keep them in that position?

K

Paul91

peasant wrote: »

The dog should be at your left heel, with its nose at the seam of your trousers, eyes fixed on you!

apparantly the "left heel" stems from military dog training so the handler could still use his right hand for his gun (i know not all soldiers are right handed) - then when the handlers left the army they went into private training and the "left seem" continued. also why we shake with right hands - goes back to the days of knights when they used to meet they shook hands with there sword hands so they couldn't draw the sword

my "pack" are out in front of me, as others have posted as long as the dog isn't pulling you and you are in control i don't see a problem, think of all the hunting/trail dogs who are out in front - doesn't been they are bad dogs or your a bad owner

tk123

kkelly77 wrote: »

Dog by your side or slightly behind at all times IMO, regardless if they don't pull. Why break the consistency of your initial training to keep them in that position?

K

In training class they thought us to have them on a loose lead but myself and the puppy :pac: watch Dog Whisperer in the evening so I wasn't sure which was best.

Paul91

i really think it's whatever you and your puppy are happy with -

i can do a 4 mile walk with my two my by side or i can do it with them on the end of their extension leads, having a sniff around, little run up and down, obviously bring them in close if cars/dogs/people near.

To me they enjoy the walk more with freedom, they can't go off lead.

Howitzer

I've got my 4mth old on the left side in heel position. I then let her out front a bit on loose lead.

I'll actually have to get it so I swap sides with her to the right now and then.
I think when you're on the footpath it's worth considering what's best from a traffic point of view. You could put yourself between the dog and the road. Or between the dog and bike path - ensuring she doesn't stray into the bike path.
So would be handy to have the dog used to both sides.

kkelly77

I'm training my fella to walk with me, only started about 5 weeks ago. I'm using a Halti which is worth it's weight in gold. 90% of the time the lead is loose and I even have to check he's still there from time to time

I think letting them go on ahead or having a sniff around should be used as a reward for them staying by your side when you are on a walk. Your dog will be happy that you're taking the time just to walk them. Anything else is a bonus.

peasant

kkelly77 wrote: »

Your dog will be happy that you're taking the time just to walk them. Anything else is a bonus.

Just a walk, rigidly by your side, never a sniff nor a pause ...that's about as enjoyable for the dog as it would for you to be led past a newsagents only to be asked later "did you see the papers today?"

Well you did see them ...didn't you?

tk123

kkelly77 wrote: »

I think letting them go on ahead or having a sniff around should be used as a reward for them staying by your side when you are on a walk. Your dog will be happy that you're taking the time just to walk them. Anything else is a bonus.

I don't agree with that at all - I take him for a walk every morning so he can be a dog - running around with his ears flapping when he's off the lead, playing fetch, sniffing the ground/hedges/other dogs, chasing ducks etc.

kkelly77

tk123 wrote: »

I don't agree with that at all - I take him for a walk every morning so he can be a dog - running around with his ears flapping when he's off the lead, playing fetch, sniffing the ground/hedges/other dogs, chasing ducks etc.

Ah right. You see I would define 'a walk' as taking your dog from point A to point B with you being in control at all times. Everything else would be playing games or other activities. For example, if I take Grason to the dog park in Marlay Park, I'll walk him to the dog park but when he's actually in there I wouldn't classify that as being on a walk. More a socialising activity.

Whispered

I think so long as the dog is not pulling and is respectful when people pass (not darting out to them) then you're still in control.

With regards to the not stopping idea, I never agreed with it but Harley was messing on the lead, one sniff here and there was not enough for him. He was basicially being a brat, a stop and a sniff, a few steps, another sniff, if it was interesting he'd dig in his heels and I'd have to drag him away. Not fun at all. So now, we go on our walk and it's like a military operation for the first half. Brisk walk, no stopping, just travelling. Then on the way back, when he's not so excited we wander, sniff, I'd talk to him we'd interact more, he'd get off the lead, maybe have a swim if the water is looking mucky enough, etc. It's the only way I found to make him walk properly. It stopped being a fun activity. It is now what we do before the fun activity. I have to say, it's very refreshing to be able to just walk and not have to keep waiting, pulling, calling, checking. It's hard to explain. Now we get the best of both worlds though.