More questions on Long Lead Training

[Trinitii]

I am at the point in our training where Athena almost 7 months needs to train outside the yard. We did our first long line training in the front by the street and the driveway. She always wants to eat the line but we are working on that however she did impress me last night when a lady was walking by I put her in a stay and she stayed! Now for my questions, I tried to put her in a stay away from home on her leash while a man and child was walking by and got no response from her she just wanted to play. I am thinking of moving her to a park not a real populated one but one that a few people are at from time to time. Will I need to be patient and let her just examine the people and get used to being there before giving her commands? Or can I give her commands and just not repeat myself and wait patiently for her to what I ask then reward her when she does? Is she too young for this part? Well you get the idea I need some guidance on how to approach this. I live in a rural area and they only offer puppy training so I am kind of on my own except for a friend who has been helpful but I would also like your opinions.

Thanks again

Trinitii

[Leader]

You didn't mention if Athena and you go to classes or not. That would be the best place to teach her a stay when there are other interesting things happening. I for one think that 7 months is too young to expect that degree of obedience from a dog. She's still a baby herself and it would require huge amounts of self control (I may be exaggerating just a bit:D ). I wouldn't really expect that kind of behaviour until she's over a year (My dog does French ringsport and a rott is ready to pass the first degree at about the age of 2 not just for the bitework but especially for the obedience required (1 minute down stay in the absence of the handler, for instance). It's good practice but don't expect the impossible from a baby just yet.;)

[Trinitii]

Leader thanks for the reply.

We did go to training classes however in this rural area there is nothing past puppy obedience so I am going it on my own with help of this board and my friend who used to train dogs.

She did excellent in class and won awards in staying, keeping her eyes on me, and heeling. We have done the commands in the house with great performance, then moved out to the backyard with a chain fence so cars would be a distraction and again she has progressed wonderfully. I have just started taking her to the front yard with a long line attached to me instead of the leash and have been doing commands. She performs nicely, however she doesn't when away from the house and new people walk by so I was thinking of increasing the distractions on the long line where I would still have control over her. Thanks for reassuring me that she is still young :) She is soo big and strong that I feel a little rushed to get her under my control without the use of a gentle leader. I try to bring her into work to socialize but she is soo excited for the first 5 minutes whenever a new person enters the scene that I worry it looks bad, but realize I need to keep putting her in these situations for her to become calmer. Again thanks for the reply and anything you have to add would be helpful :)

Trinitii

[Leader]

Trinitii,
My pleasure:)
It might be a good idea to continue the long lead training in your yard and when you're walking, start by keeping her in a heel when people go by. Gradually (and that is the key word), once she continues to heel inspite of another person walking by or a car or a child (who obviously is not a person,LOL), try the sit stay, BY YOUR SIDE.

I too live in a rural area and drive 40 minutes to my dog club, but then I'm an absolute fanatic as far as my guy's concerned. He's good and I want him to stay good.:D

I would try a stay sitting and then down with you hiding behind something, so that you can see her but she can't see you before expecting her to behave, even in your presence, out on the road. (for seconds to begin with then gradually work up to 1 the 2 then 5 minutes, and so on. AND NEVER walk her near a road without a lead, no matter how good she is. An accident can happen so very quickly.:(
Hope I've been of some help.
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