May 17, 2011
I say no and 99 times out of 100 he will come back to position but it seems I'm saying no every 5 seconds or so. Any advice on teaching him the proper position?
Full Question:
I have a springer spaniel/black lab mix who is approximately 4 years old. He is a great dog in all aspects expect strong prey drive and aggression toward other dogs especially. I have bought two of your videos ...Basic Dog Obedience and Dealing with Dominant Aggressive Dogs. They have both helped tremendously but I can't seem to get him to walk behind me or stay at my side during a walk. I say no..and 99 times out of 100 he will come back to position but it seems i'm saying no every 5 seconds or so. I walk him for an hour in the morning and 45 minutes at night. Any advice on teaching him the proper position. I have navigated your site and could not find the answer to my question. In your Dominant Dog video it suggests to have them walk to your side or behind you and so I want him to do this. I have a prong collar for him and it works very well. I just don't want to be saying no for our entire walk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated even if you tell me where to go on your site. Thanks.Erin
Ed's Answer:
Erin,
Possibly you and I have different expectations from our dogs.
In my opinion a dog should walk on a loose line. He should not pull when walking on a leash and he should determine what he has to do to make sure the line does not become tight.
I don't believe in keeping a dog on my left side in a formal feel position when we walk. This is a human artificial created position.
So with that said - I would be saying NO when the leash tightens and then if he does not instantly loosen the lead he would receive a correction (based on his temperament - hard or soft) that he remembers and respects the next time he tightens the lead.
Read the free eBook I wrote on THE THEORY OF CORRECTION IN DOG TRAINING - its also in a free podcast.
The thing about a HEEL POSTION is that the dog is given a HEEL COMMAND and cannot leave that position until he is verbally released from that command with "OK" (or whatever release command that you use).
I hope this clears things up.
Possibly you and I have different expectations from our dogs.
In my opinion a dog should walk on a loose line. He should not pull when walking on a leash and he should determine what he has to do to make sure the line does not become tight.
I don't believe in keeping a dog on my left side in a formal feel position when we walk. This is a human artificial created position.
So with that said - I would be saying NO when the leash tightens and then if he does not instantly loosen the lead he would receive a correction (based on his temperament - hard or soft) that he remembers and respects the next time he tightens the lead.
Read the free eBook I wrote on THE THEORY OF CORRECTION IN DOG TRAINING - its also in a free podcast.
The thing about a HEEL POSTION is that the dog is given a HEEL COMMAND and cannot leave that position until he is verbally released from that command with "OK" (or whatever release command that you use).
I hope this clears things up.
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