 Position of Dog on casual walk
#179845 - 02/09/2008 03:44 PM |
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Maybe a silly question, but one I was wondering about.
When walking your dog casually either around the neighborhood or in the park, what is the dog's position relative to you? Is your leg between their head and shoulder or do they walk out in front of you.
Have been working to keep Sasha with her head and shoulder by my leg, but she seems like she is most comfortable when my leg is around her chest. Is this a sign that she is trying to lead?
Just curious on what others do or think.
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: David Walter ]
#179850 - 02/09/2008 04:15 PM |
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Hmmm...good question. I have been wondering this myself. Usually right now, Kodee (7 mos old) has his head/shoulder slightly in front of me. Also, if we are on a "real" walk, he must stay on my left, and he can be in front slightly, but he is never allowed to pull me.
I'm teaching him to walk on my left (unless we're just goofing around in the yard for a potty break or something), because I plan to try to teach him the formal heel (although he's just a pet). I also wonder - if he's walking ahead of me, but not pulling, is that the dog trying to lead?
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Kori Bigge ]
#179855 - 02/09/2008 05:12 PM |
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I'm teaching him to walk on my left (unless we're just goofing around in the yard for a potty break or something), because I plan to try to teach him the formal heel (although he's just a pet). I also wonder - if he's walking ahead of me, but not pulling, is that the dog trying to lead?
I have to use two separate words*, since I hardly ever have only one dog on a casual walk.... there is almost always one on the right as well as on the left.
About the casual position: Can the dog pay attention to your speed and direction, or is the dog setting the speed and direction? If (a), then it's good enough for me, for regular walks. But that's JMO. 
*for formal heel and for casual heel
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#179858 - 02/09/2008 05:38 PM |
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When just out walking my dogs, I don't care where they walk so long as they don't try and drag me or trip me. They also have to be willing to come back to my side as needed to get past other people or dogs without bothering them. In whatever position my dogs are in, I always expect them to mind their own business and not get into things.
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Elaine Matthys ]
#179874 - 02/09/2008 06:49 PM |
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I'm like Connie, I keep one on either side, but both stay in a casual heel and that's fine for me. Luc can do a more formal heel but we haven't been practicing it lately  Teagan's casually heel is actually usually a formal heel but that's not my requirement (perhaps due to the traffic lead but she did it before I got her too....it's just her default position, to be honest, I actually haven't bothered training heel to her b/c she just does it. Weirdly, given all her other quibbles....).
Teagan!
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Elaine Matthys ]
#179876 - 02/09/2008 06:50 PM |
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Usually on left, sometimes on right (per my direction). I go back and forth between letting her sniff things and asking for a somewhat formal heel. I periodically allow her to range so long as she's not trying to rip my arm out of it's socket.
Someone pointed out that teaching the dog HEEL on both sides on command can be handy in tight areas. And it has 
Ditto on Connie's comment...as long as I set the pace and not the dog, it's pretty ok for a casual walk.
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Julie Wilson ]
#179880 - 02/09/2008 06:59 PM |
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....though actually, luc rarely walks next to me but in a casual heel position a foot away. i seem to step on his feet accidentally....he is usually on my left and apparently i unknowningly veer to the left, cause it never happens w/teagan who is usually on the right (i do switch them as julie mentioned). formal heel he will be closer in but never on a casual walk.
Teagan!
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Julie Wilson ]
#179882 - 02/09/2008 07:02 PM |
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I had always walked my dogs on my left, head at the knee...
When I started agility then with my older dog a few years ago, that was the only place he was comfortable. I couldn't get him to work on my right or away from me, he was glued at my left side.
Now I walk my dogs very casual on both sides. As long as they behave and don't start dragging me they don't have to be formally at my side. We do little bits of ob in along the way, sit, down, look at me, etc.
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: Sue Kobus ]
#179889 - 02/09/2008 07:33 PM |
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I taught my dog to walk on my left, his neck even with my knee on loose lead. Once we reach areas along the road where were in front of pasture land then he looks to me for the release and he is allowed the full length of the lead to do his thing. Only requirement is NO pulling.
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Re: Position of Dog on casual walk
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#179922 - 02/09/2008 11:28 PM |
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I've always taught our dogs to walk on the left side to avoid me tripping on them. Other than that requirement they are free to be wherever as long as there is no pulling. If their feet are under mine I just step on them hard enough to be a deterrent but not injure.
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