trying to teach my cocker spaniel to walk right on leash. and i'm not sure how.
Started On:
3/21/2007
Started By:
xDanix (CH)
Description:
I got my cocker spaniel last summer. I would take him for a usual walk in the morning and another one later on in the day when it was nice out and all. But its always hard to enjoy it because he keeps pulling on the leash. I tug on it and tell him to stop, sit and stay. and it doesnt work. I know it must not all be his fault because it has to be a bit on me because i have to figure out how to teach him to do it. But i'm really unsure how. Any tips or ideas? I would love to enjoy my walks with him but its hard. comments?
Re:trying to teach my cocker spaniel to walk right on leash. and i'm not sure how. No matter how much training we did, our dog just never did learn to walk nicely on a leash. What has made all the difference is using a harness leash (as opposed to a leash that attaches to the collar alone). It's a little like power steering: suddenly, because the leash is attached to a harness that goes around his torso, we have far more control over our dog and his walking has improved hugely! I definately recommend you try one. Other people say using a Halty (sp?) type collar that goes around a dog's muzzle is a miracle product for poor walkers, but my dog refused to wear the Halty.
You should also read the many tips offered on this website, in the Hound Manners section, on how to teach a dog to walk nicely on a leash. Good luck!
Lee Charles Kelley (NY) 3/23/2007 9:51:23 AM
Re:Re:trying to teach my cocker spaniel to walk right on leash. and i'm not sure how. The main problem is that dogs don't pull, they get pulled into the environment by things that stimulate and attract their senses and their predatory instincts. So the trick is to make yourself more stimulating and exciting than the things in the environment. This means that every walk you go on until he's trained has to be a training exercise, not a regular walk.
Some general tips: take along some treats or a toy he likes to help get him focused on you, then do things like running for a bit while he's focused on the toy, and then slowing way, way dowwwwwwwnnnnn to almost a crawl. At other times, when he loses focus, suddenly change directions and get him to chase you for twenty yards or so. Mix things up; make the business of walking next to you interesting and exciting. Just saying no, or making him stop and sit don't do that. They'll only make a dog with strong interests more focused on what HE wants, rather than on what YOU want.
Use a 6' leash, and keep it slack as much as possible.
Take him to the park and play "chase-me" games, where he has to chase you around in order to grab hold of a tug toy or a stick. Play tug-of-war outdoors, let him win, and praise him for winning. Tug is a great outlet for doggie tension, and the more you play, the more likely your dog will see you as being more fun and interesting than cool smells, other dogs, or squirrels and pigeons.
When you see another dog coming toward you, make your dog wait, then say, "Okay! Say hello!" and let him sniff the other doggie. Then, when they've had enough interaction, say, "Okay! Say bye-bye!" and get your dog to chase you down the street.
All these things will be somehow beneficial with the walking.
