I've searched this site over, and haven't found my answer, so here it goes:

My s.o. and I have some long standing disagreements about training our 2 yr old shepherd. If you've seen my post on the aggression issues we're having, it's no suprise that the dog is probably confused by two of us with different training methods. I've taken over as the primary trainer now (per the recommendation of people on this site to have one trainer) and I'd like the opinion of those here.

When going out for the daily walk(s), do you think it's necessary to give the command Foos/ Heel during the walk, (we use foos) or should the dog be expected to walk by your side, loose leash? The s.o. says "how does the dog know what you want it to do if you don't give it a command?" I say it should be our expectation that he walks by our side (or behind us) with slack on the leash, at all times, no command needed. Foosing is a separate training piece that should be worked on separately. He basically has the dog foosing the whole entire walk, except for when he lets the dog free to smell/ potty or perhaps play a little. In addition, he expects the dog to behave the whole walk as if on a foos, sitting when we stop, staying right by his side, etc, and will give corrections if not done.

I feel this is too long a "training" time, and leaves too much room for inconsistency on our part (we stop to talk to someone and the dog is not sitting but smelling around, etc.)

As usual, any thoughts are appreciated.

Stephanie, I have strict obedience commands, casual commands and a release. If I say heel that means correct position, looking at me moving or still. If I just want him to walk on a loose leash I say "with me", and when I say ok, he can move away to sniff and whatever. I think a strict foos for an entire walk is too much. On a walk I also don't worry too much about him sitting each time we stop so long as he stays in the basic position.

I mix up my walks, do a few minutes or so of a focused heel, then release the dog as a reward, (usually I engage in some sort of tug game) then a few minutes later, back to focused. I use a command to "end" the focus work, and at that point the dog has to maintain slack in the lead. If I am just wanting the dog to stay with me (when I am in the woods or riding I do all off leash stuff) I also use the with me command if the dog gets too far ahead or too far behind. Basically similar to what Steve said.

Ok, this is coming up again! I made an error in my last post: the s.o. doesn't make the dog foos the entire walk, but much of the walk, depending on when he wants the dog to be by his side (so if in a populated area, it may be for a large part of the walk.) Now, we are now into competition work, so in his mind foos means to walk by our side, and stay with us, sit when we stop,etc. There is no need for the dog to be "up our (butt)." (His words.)

So you have me walking the dog expecting the dog to stay roughly by my side, not pulling, not lunging, not smelling or peeing, most of the walk. A relaxed walk. It's nice if he sits when I stop, but not required. If he gets a little ahead of himself, I may give him a reminder correction, or say "stay with me." When appropriate, I may say "break" and let him off the leash (with e-collar on) or lead dragging, to smell/pee/etc. I intend to get to teaching a more structured "foos" once I learn how to do that.

Then you have the s.o. walking the dog. He says "foos" at the beginning of the walk, and expects the dog will be shoulder to his leg, walking, staying close, not allowed to sniff/pee, etc. Must sit when he stops. Must stay with him. This is especially when in a populated area or there are other dogs. He will say "break" and allow the dog to walk loosly on the leash wherever he (the dog) wants, or drag the line.

The poor dog is clearly confused, as we usually walk the dog seperately. The s.o. says we're confusing him by my refusal to use the word foos, for the basic position I mean of foos. We've both always been involved in either dog we've owned, and usually, admittedly, the s.o. has had more consistency with training and learning about training a dog. He's kind of stepped back from this one, feeling his aggression problems are not curable and it's "only a matter of time." So the training has been mostly left up to me, but we both need to be able to walk him, and we can't agree on which tactic to use.

I've been lax in not getting a trainer yet, due to not enough time to thoroughly research as I should, and due to lack of funds necessary to see it through at this point. Any other suggestions? (Other than couples counselling!! LOL!!!)

First thing is to be consistent. Consistent with words used fuss/heel as well as with acceptable behavior. Be careful that bad behavior does not become the norm and DO NOT make excuses for it. Good behavior is the norm, bad behavior needs correcting. It sounds like you both are similar in your ideals with wanting him to fuss for a bit of the way.

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feeling his aggression problems are not curable and it's "only a matter of time."

so your dog is aggressive? I disagree...its NOT only a matter of time especially with a 2yr old. Nip it in the bud, a dogs leader tells them when to fight and when not to. If your dog doesn't listen to you, you're not leading him. A structured walk (fuss) is the best way to show that leadership and increase the bond.

The way I do it: If it's an hour long walk, the first 5 mins he gets to pee/smell. Then he's empty and he heels for 30 mins. No pulling, no questions, heel. Then 10-15 mins of free time to smell/pee again. Then the rest of the walk is heel. This drains his physical energy, but MOST importantly his mental energy. Having to follow me, and stop and sit when I do re-directs his focus from the birds/squirrels/cats/other dogs to ME. It also creates a bond, as he gets a big reward when we get home (dinner or breakfast). I do switch it up with heel at the beginning and then breaks, but the point is for a dog with aggression or for a dog who does not listen to your leadership, fuss is MUCH more helpful for the dog than free time.

My guy was little dog/cat/squirrel/bird aggressive and killed a few animals when I first got him. After showing him I control what he gets excited/aggressive about he's stopped. (Well except for the time last year I threw a ball and he brought back a bird, but we won't talk about that ) I found the BEST way to show him that leadership was to have him follow me on the walk. Or another way to see it is to lead him on a walk. A leisurely walk is great therapy for humans, but dogs need more structure. You'll see a HUGE improvement if you make him follow you.

I must be old German, but I am pretty strict when we walk. My GSD of 9 months walks by my side loose leash and doesn't seem to mind it. She is not allowed anything but walking by my side, sitting when stopped, sitting before crossing the street and not allowed to sniff or stop during the walk except when I tell her to. She gets plenty of other walking and playing to compensate for the walk and when it is over I tell her "free" and she can go play. Along our route there are several benches and I have her "place" at each one and give her a little time for water. She moves right along without hesitation. I may sound a little tough, but learning early prevents problems later and we have a great bond together.