| It is not unlike teaching the dog to be "light to pressure" that we use particularly with the dogs we want to do herding with. My two youngers have been raised from little in that fashion and they respond to the lightest touch. It is the Rottweiler's nature to push back against pressure, so it involves true teaching, but such a great thing when it is done. Nice to be able to bike or walk a dog with only finger holding on the lead and know you will get a response to that amount of pressure. The instructor makes good sense especially if the class has mostly dogs that are not even leash broke.
That of course, doesn't mean you don't put your dog close in crowded quarters, but it means you can take a leisurely walk without it being a hassle of tug and pull, making the whole thing miserable for both handler and dog. True formal heeling requires great attention and effort and one should be able to enjoy a casual walk with the dog which is what she is aiming for. Good on her. |