K-911 Dog Training Information

NOTE: this is an alternate method, which I recommend only when the primary method has failed or is unsuitable for some reason.

I do not teach a formal heeling exercise, I refer to this exercise as walking on a loose leash. What I have detailed below is a method which I recommend only if:

• Gentler training methods have failed, and
• For some reason a Halti cannot be used or has not proven effective, and
• The pulling problem must be eradicated quickly, and
• The dog is NOT prone to aggression or fear problems.Begin with your dog on a 4-6 foot leash and either a choke chain or pinch collar. If the dog has a fairly sensitive nature and is not used to pulling on a choke chain, try using a choke chain. However, if the dog is very large, rambunctious, or tough, or is used to pulling on or ignoring a choke chain, please use a pinch collar.

  Choke chains tend to have very little effect on dedicated pullers unless jerked very hard, and such jerking can injure the dog?s throat and spine. A pinch collar will allow you to train more effectively without the potential for injury.

  Hold only the end of the leash, giving your dog free rein, and start forward. Remember that this is walking on a loose leash, not heeling! As soon as your dog puts even slight tension on the leash, use a quick, clear verbal reprimand such as ?Stop!? Do not shout or try to communicate anger to your dog, and don?t use a word you use in other situations, such as ?No.?

  A moment after giving the ?Stop!? command, give one quick, hard jerk on the leash and start walking in the opposite direction. This will put the dog behind you. When he catches up to your side, praise him and reward him for not pulling on the leash. Continue to praise him and offer treats as long as he refrains from pulling.

  When the dog puts tension on the leash again, use the ?Stop!? command, follow it with a jerk on the leash and about-turn. Then praise and reward the correct behavior.

  Your ?Stop!? command serves as a warning and an aid for the dog to help him figure out why he is getting corrected. After a few repetitions of this routine, you may find that he immediately slackens the leash when you give the command. If this happens, praise your dog, give him treats, and do not correct him! He has just learned what the unwanted behavior is, and how to stop doing it.

  However, every time you use the stop command follow with a quick correction if the leash is not immediately slackened. Before long the dog should be walking on a loose leash, and you will find that often the verbal command will be all that is required to stop any pulling in its tracks.