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Walking on a Lead
PACK BEHAVIOUR
When a pack is moving to go hunting, check territory, etc. there is a distinct
pattern of “follow the leader”. If the pack leader stops, the pack
wait behind him. If he or she cocks a leg and urinates, the pack wait behind
and then some members will also mark the spot as they pass.
When the leader changes direction, the pack will all do the same with
out being told. Almost like a flock of birds, they move as one.
When you walk your own dog, owners often behave like the pack and not
the leader. Every time the dog stops to sniff or urinate, the owner waits
obediently until the dog decides to move. If the dog is loose, you often
see the dog charging around in all directions and the owner following as
if on a piece of string!
PROBLEMS
Not being in charge of your dog on a lead can produce pulling, lunging at
dogs and people, barking, not coming back and general disrespect.
LEADERSHIP
Dogs often pull on the lead and don’t come back because they are the
leader, not you. Adopt a policy of not letting the dog stop to sniff or urinate
until you get to an area where you give the dog a command and allow him some
freedom.
Off the lead, make plenty of changes of direction and do not follow the
dog around, make the dog do the following. Ensure that your dog moves in
your new direction within a few seconds of the change. Use a long line if
necessary whilst you teach the dog properly.
BEGIN PROPERLY
If your dog is careering around out of control as soon as you pick up the
lead and you have to physically grab and secure him just to get the lead
on, you have no chance of getting proper control.
Pick the lead up repeatedly until the dog is calm and steady and only
continue if the dog is still. It can be time consuming at first, but it means
that the dog is under control and respectful from the beginning and is less
likely to pull you down the street, start a fight, or run away.
Get into the habit of giving your dog a “release signal” such
as “go play” or “get on” so that the dog is clear about
when it can relax and run more freely, not just run away the minute you take
the lead off.
RUNNING OFF
Firstly STOP letting your dog off the lead if it doesn't come back. Every
time it ignores you, you are back to square one. Buy a training or
tracking line of 30 or 50 feet and use that loose. Practice recall whilst
the dog is running around, not just because something is coming. If you
are going to classes and they are teaching you the old fashioned formal recall
it will bear no resemblance to real life. Recall with a dog already
sitting or down and looking at you is not what will be happening for real.
Your dog needs to learn to come back when it is going the other way and still
moving, not already sitting. You may have to start from scratch.
Equipment
There are some great gadgets around that can help. Lots of headcollars
like Halti's or Gentle Leaders give you head control. This makes it
difficult for your dog to pull and you can turn its head away from problems.
Some people prefer harnesses but these will not give you control over eye
contact. Correct use of these can help solve your problems.
Be in charge!
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