I just started retraining my dog using the marker system, but he was previously trained with compulsion methods. For instance, when I walked him, if he pulled on the leash, he was corrected with a jerk. But, now that I want to retrain using motivational positive methods, how do I take my dog on a walk without having to correct him if he pulls? Is it going to contradict the training if I correct him for pulling? Also, when I am trying to play with him, he tries to focus his attention on something else like a squirrel, or the neighbor's dogs...like he is trying to find something more fun to do than play tug...his ultimate favorite thing would be playing fetch. He doesn't enjoy playing tug...he really enjoys playing fetch. But I was told not to play fetch with him anymore because in order to build drive and motivation, he needs to enjoy playing with me. What should I do? Also, he needs more exercise, and I can't always take him jogging and I used to play fetch with him to burn energy...what should I do if I am not able to play fetch anymore? I am so confused on what I can and cannot do while trying to build drive and motivation. I posted a topic earlier called "Building Drive and Motivation in an adult dog" if you want to refer to that for more information about my dog. Thanks for any advice!

If you're confused - so is your dog. My advice would be to re-think what your dog is telling you he needs.

I don't understand why you were told not to play fetch with him if he enjoys it so much.

It's not like he's off chasing squirrels on his own... if he's playing fetch with you and is enjoying it, then isn't he enjoying playing with you?

You mention that you're having trouble motivating him. If playing fetch with you is his "ultimate favourite thing", then you have your answer. Use whatever motivates him the most. In his case, it isn't playing tug.

Now if you're bite training him or something and you NEED him to learn to tug, then I'm sure there are ways to encourage a dog to tug. However if your goal is to 1) find a fun way to exercise him, and 2) find something that he's motivated to work for, then a game of fetch sounds like the perfect answer for your guy.

You can start incorporating obedience commands into the game. For example, when he's eagerly waiting for you to throw the ball for him, ask for a sit. As soon as his butt hits the ground, mark enthusiastically and throw the ball for him.

Since he's already been conditioned to hate obedience, you'll probably have to start out slowly and not put in too many commands at first (or it'll suck the fun out of the game for him). You could even re-train him using different commands (seeing as he has bad associations with the current commands).

Your ability to read your dog and make sure that he's having fun throughout it all will determine how well he'll progress.

If you do a lot of playing/training and tire him out before the walk, he'll be calmer and won't pull as much to begin with.

As for teaching him to walk next to you, I'd probably start out with food (that he really likes... liver, cheese, steak, whatever gets him excited). Mark and reward every time he's in the position you want him in.
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THINGS EXCITING. If you're too passive with your voice and body language, then he's probably going to think that the squirrel in the tree is more exciting.
If you keep a quick snappy pace, convey excitement in your voice, time your markers properly and make yourself the center of attention, this work will progress wayy quicker!

If he pulls, just stop, wait for him to get back to your side, at which point you'd mark and reward, and then start walking again. At first it might speed things up if you lure him back where you want him (eventually he'll figure it out on his own and he'll run back to your side as soon as you stop).

I tried variations of this method, such as stopping and changing directions when training my pup and it worked well. In her case, if I kept moving away from her, she'd follow me... whereas if I just stopped and stood there she didn't pay as much attention to me.
The stopping worked really nicely on another one of my dogs though, so you might have to try a few things before you see what works for your dog.

Eventually you can incorporate a command (don't use the formal heeling command; try a new command that just means "walk next to me without pulling"... I use "easy" with my dogs for informal walking).

Once mine understand what's expected of them, I'll continue praising or rewarding every now and again for a nice walk, but I'll also start incorporating corrections for pulling.

I used to just say "NO!" and pop the leash whenever they pulled, but having tried teaching it motivationally (before introducing corrections), I have to say that I prefer the motivational-first approach to teach 'em to walk nicely.

It requires a bit more thinking and planning at first, such as avoiding big distractions when you're teaching this, so the dog is more interested in the food you're carrying than in, say, a barking dog on the other side of the street, or a cat, or a flushed rabbit etc

YOu are so right! Thank you! That is what my gut was telling me all along. I will try that with heeling, thanks!

I will second that advise. My dog Cody runs and jumps and is always on fast drive. I put a leash on him and he just thought that was my way of keeping up with him. I had lots of trouble, but got advise to use a hot dog, cut length wise into four and dangle it as he walked. This worked great. I practiced in my back yard for awhile and he did well. when he walked ahead of me, I just changed direction, or stopped. (he hates to slow down so it worked) The other day I began taking him out in public to walk. At first he tried to pull so we didn't get very far. I didn't say anything to him. Then all of a sudden, the lights went on. He looked at me, returned to my side, and began healing and prancing like a dream! His little face gleaming up at me!
The advise worked and he just loves to prance along. Last night he was introduced to the dreaded shopping cart noise you find when the stores are putting all their carts away. It rattled him a little but, he recovered quickly and pranced along. I am going to keep taking him places that are real noisy and keep walking him.
You will be blessed as you see the results with the advise you have been given. It works and its fun!