I’m sharing games to help improve your dog’s loose leash walking that will help turn your dog’s focus to you when there are distractions ahead. It starts easily at home with Perch Work, and you can transition to walking in the real world using the simple tips. Remember to celebrate your progress with your dog!
In the episode you'll hear:
- How to grow the foundations of Perch Work for walks with your dog.
- Games to improve your loose leash walking.
- The importance of Reinforcement Zone (RZ) for your dog.
- How to use pivots for walking on leash when there are distractions ahead.
- Why to be aware of steak throwers in the city.
- How to do turns toward your dog and turns away from your dog.
- The easy way to have your dog change direction on walks.
- How to transition from the perch to walking with your dog.
- About transferring value to loose leash walking.
- How you walking backwards builds value for your dog to stay with you.
- Why I teach my puppies and dogs to tug on a leash.
- The reason to play ItsYerChoice (IYC) with your lead.
- Why not to be in a hurry and why to take on our one week walking challenge.
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett’s Dogs Sniff On Walks
- YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins)
- Podcast Episode 73: Why Your Dog Is Still Pulling on Leash and How To Fix It
- Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together
- 4MyMerles Leashes
- Blog Post: Improve Your Dog Training By Playing Like A Dog (Tugging)
- Game: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC)
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
What about those leashed that loop around your waist?
Too passive? I like having both hands available on walks.
I’d love to see a leash walking challenge!
I love that you leave transcripts of the podcasts so they can be printed and referred back to easily.
Thank you.
Hi there. My 3.5 month old golden Enzo ( besides pulling while walking) constantly bites the leash when we are trying to move forward. Are there any podcasts that can help with this? Thanks you.
These games sound like fun and I just tried the pivot and it worked great. She walks pretty well on loose leash 80- 90 % of the time, biggest issue is grabbing the leash. She knows how to pivot so didn’t need much practice. Question on the tugging on the leash game. MY dog loves to tug on the leash, jump in circles, gets really excited so I’ve been working on not grabbing the leash. Interested in trying your game, \ I have some experience with IYC, so I feel like we could develop the not grabbing the leash, but how does she learn to let the leash go once she’s got it?
I have a problem getting my pup to sit with his front feet still on the perch. He has a tendency to move his front legs back to the back to get into a sit rather than brining up his back end to the front feet. How can I change this?
I’m in for the Challenge. Bessie walks fairly well on leash, but there is always room for improvement. The games sound like fun for her, so we start tomorrow.
Since we have only been working on HS for a week, when is the best time to start these games? Padre is a puller, but not horribly. He does get freaked out easily though with some people or loud noises (like a nail gun from someone getting a new roof). I’m not sure where to try the pivot games in regards to the “layering” the training process.