Lead walking and clicker

[belindarose]

I don't think our lead walking is improving. We don't practise enough, I know, as I find it hard to manage toddler and lead training, so we do much more off lead stuff. But pup's just been neutered (6.5 mo springer) and has 10 days of no off lead to get through. I haven't got DD this morning, so have just done a frustrating 20 minute walk on lead.

I either stop dead if he pulls, or change direction. These used to work, or so it seemed, but now when we set off again he pulls immediately. He used to get the idea more I think.

We started clicker training a few weeks ago. At the moment have been using it for basic commands and 'tricks' to get the hang of it. I've read Karwn Pryor on lead walking, but couldn't get the timing, clicking, treating (and dangling poo bag) all co-or donated properly. Is this the best way to go? Shall I just persevere with the same? Training classes are finished now for a month and we missed the last few due to to illness.

I'm worried we're going to struggle with the adolescent bit, despite being determined not to! Recall gone to pot as well - that's a thread for next week.

(co-ordinated. Damn autocorrect!)

Mine is a similar age, you posted on my recall thread last week so I'm in a similar position. I don't know about clicker training and lead walking as I've only just bought a clicker. However this morning I was just thinking how brilliant our dog has been in the last week on the lead, it's like he's just suddenly got it. Prior to that he was just as you described, so I think you just have to persevere and be consistent and you will get there in the end. It's a bit like kids learning to read, you think they'll never get there and one day you notice them with their heads in a book.

I too found the post neutering stage a pain and have to confess that we let him off lead after 8 days, he was like a coiled spring without a 'proper' walk. Upping the anti on the treats has also helped, so cheese, ham etc rather than dried ones.

The clicker is excellent for teaching heelwork BUT do not try to do it when you are out on a walk and lots of exciting things are going on around you.

Image trying to teach the times tables to children in the middle of a pantomime performance for example!

Always start teaching heel work off lead in your garden or even in the house. If you have along hall that is a great place to start as there are less places to bound off to.

Lure the dog to the correct position and click and treat, keep doing this as per Karen pryor.

When the dog is happy with this in a quiet area up the anti maybe try outside in the garden, then move to heel work for a few seconds in a carpark, etc gradually move into more challenging environments. When the behaviour is then learnt you can try it out on the common and the default behaviour should be heel. If not go back a few steps and consolidate the behaviour.

Do give this some time and re-enforce regularly with treats and clicker even when the dog has got it. Some time spent now will certainly pay off over the next 14 years of your dogs life!

Right, thanks. I stupidly never have put in the effort to do this off lead in the house, despite having read about it before we got him. We all got so excited about being in the woods with a bouncing pup. Really,y life would be much easier if he was a nice walker as then I could easily manage DD as well. Kicking myself now.

Such a good point about effort now paying off for the rest of his life, thank you. I'm going to start now. Will keep boring you all with updates if that's okay!

First session in the house was great. Went from doing his 'clicker repertoire' and not thinking at all at the beginning, to really knowing hat I wanted in 5 minutes. Giving him a chew break now and will repeat later. Thanks. I'm feeling positive!

How old is yours? I'm determined to have a well trained dog, eventually!

Kikopup has a Youtube video on "Yo-yo" dogs and lead walking. Might be worth a look.

belindarose, I have no advice re the subject but I noticed that you have had your pup neutered.

Do you mind me asking why you had him done at 6.5 months?

I have got mine booked in for next week, he will be 9 months. However, I have been looking at various websites about the right age and the advice is conflicting regarding long term health implications.

I'm a bit worried that I should leave it longer, but I'm in a slightly forced position because my mil has a bitch and they spend a lot of time together.

Sorry for slight hijack..

We asked the vet - just changed to a new practice- and that's what he told us! I didn't think he'd have a hidden agenda, at least, I hope not. as far as we can tell he's recovering very quickly, which I suppose is an advantage in a younger dog. Feel a bit silly now for not reading up on it more, but basically just took the vet's advice.

Smarty pants my pup is a RSPCA rescue and was neutered at 4 months, it seemed young to me but that's their policy and a condition of adoption.

I agree, NotMost, that does seem young. But on balance, it must be the best policy for the RSPCA.

My vet said he should have been cocking his leg for at least a month. I would say he only started doing this at 6 months.

I'm just a bit worried that I'm increasing his risk of cancer/bone problems.

Our first dog was neutered by the rescue, at an unknown age (somewhere between 1 and 4) because he had been a stray. He only started cocking his leg after that.

Mine is 7 months and hasn't cocked his leg, not sure if the neutering is something to do with it.