Loose lead walking

[miccmill]

I just had a really great walk with Hannah. It's kind of a warm evening (almost 40) and lots of people and dogs out and about in the neighborhood. She was wonderful. Walked with her ears up, tail up and wagging, not a single woof and we ran into every situation that makes her react. Neighbors talking to me, Christmas trees at the side of the curb even a large group of teenage boys when we rounded the corner.....nothing. I'm very happy about that.
The issue....this walk took place on the prong collar. We have actually gone backwards with polite loose lead walking with the slip chain and/or the flat collar. I can't seem to successfully handle more than one issue at a time!

I'm pleased with her better behavior but I want to drop the prong collar.

Do I go back a few steps and start the whole walk on lead training all over again? Walk forward, stop when pulling, forward when attention back on me? or is it too late and I should do something different?

[Bastianboy]

What was suggested to me by my trainer is to go out with both collars on. Put the leash on the flat or slip chain. As soon as you need a correction that she is not paying attention to switch quickly and without a big deal to the prong (I usually just reach down and grab with my hand, but if you can quickly switch the leash, correct and go to the other collar). Then go back to the flat or chain. She will eventually realize, "hmmmm if I'm bad, I get the pinch, otherwise, happy sailing". I will admit I still use prong in situations where I want to keep my shoulder (Bastian went to work with me today, with so many people to love I kept it on, but didn't need it), but I have seen some improvement using a different collar.

[Judi W]

Most things have to be practiced if a habit is to be not only established but maintained. I'd go back to the loose lead teaching as a reminder. Otherwise you become equipment dependent.

[wynne]

I would also go back to the basics. You want to set your pup up to succeed not fail. I used a 10' lead with my pup, had her go ahead, told her to heel and when she came back to me and heeled, I'd click and treat, and every step she took I would say 'heel', click and treat. When she is on a buckle collar she is still a little crazy in some instances so I went with the gentle leader. Walk her around with no distractions, then add in a few. Always praise the good stuff. Have her learn the 'watch me' command so you get her attention. It's a lot of reps.

Kudos for the walk you did do. Always keep it positive.

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Most things have to be practiced if a habit is to be not only established but maintained. I'd go back to the loose lead teaching as a reminder. Otherwise you become equipment dependent.

We've been using the prong collar for quite a while now (all summer, fall etc.) so when she pulls on the flat collar I think the equipment inducement is responsible for the loose lead walking. Not exactly what I want.

We went out in the mall across the street on the flat collar this morning. Pull, stop, look around at me, forward...... Pull, stop, look around at me......
repeat x1000. Phew, this is going to take some time. She did start to get the message but it's not the same as with a puppy and she probably thinks "hey I didn't think you were serious about this walk politely thing."

Thanks for all advice

[Judi W]

I never use a flat collar with a leash except for entering a herding field.

[wynne]

Why is that? What do you walk on leash with?

[Judi W]

Regular slip collars. Should there ever be an emergency or special circumstance, I want to be able to quickly put it in a control position.

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Regular slip collars. Should there ever be an emergency or special circumstance, I want to be able to quickly put it in a control position.

I just read your instructions in a previous thread about how to wear the slip collar when walking. I'll try that.

[Judi W]

The training takes care of almost everything however, one should always be in a position to use physical control should it be necessary in an emergency.

[MontanaRott]

We used the prong until Steve had learned some leash manners, now he walks on a slip chain, every once in awhile the prong needs to go back on for a bit of a refresher course, but those times are getting fewer and farther between. And generally with the slip, just a quick pop and a "walk nicely" is all it takes for him to back off and keep the lead loose. I hate having a dog that pulls into the lead and keeps pressure on my arm!
Guerin walks very nicely on a leash with a slip, but if I am walking him because of his size and power, I use the prong. Phil is a big boy and can get a good correction or control with the slip, but I just do not have that confidence, YET, with myself and Guerin. And as per Judi's instructions we keep the slip high up on the neck for better control. It really just is a matter of paying attention to the dog and giving them a small pop if they start to pull. Sounds like to me you and Hannah are on the right track.

[groupieindenial]

I was just thinking about how different types of collars are for different levels. There is no 1 right collar for every dog. Vegas has been walking great on a flat untill recently. I really think he just doesn't notice his strength has increased. He's very responsive, if we're walking him sniffing around, he'd ease up when he felt a bit of tug on the lead. Now the tug is more of a pull at times. Last night I put on a new slip collar I bought, and it worked great! It's like he notices better when he's hit the end of the lead, slows down and looks back at me. I was thinking maybe its time for a prong, but why jump from a flat to a prong when a slip will work fine?

[debbiej]

I use a prong for boris, and even a small one for hilda for walks in the neighborhood. both can do well on a slip (for the most part). If we are not doing 'formal' walking, and the dog is out in front-not pulling but just a relaxing walk, one side, the other, sniff around kind of walk, I don't like the slip because the ring and slip part of the chain is not where it needs to be to release. the prong is always in the right position to correct, and unless the dog is pulling there is no problem. boris has not been to obedience class, but hilda is a totally different dog in class than out walking in the neighborhood. she is trustworthy off lead. would I let her heel off lead anywhere but class? Not yet!!

[dmoniz]

My nine month old just got moved to a pinch, he was on a flat collar before. Both at home and in class he is 100% off lead. Take him where he will meet nwe people and dogs, however, he needs a pinch. A slip collar might work with him, but the pinch is so reliable, and he doesn't need a large correction, just a small pop with my pinky and he is walking like a champ.

[Judi W]

To be honest, I would not be working a dog that young off lead. If you want to establish a habit of precision and promptness, you should be working on lead.