My 12 week old pup is over 30lbs now and a joy (St. Bernard/GSD mix). I've been trying to slow myself down and not throw too much training at him at once, but I'm beginning to reach the point where I do need to teach him some leash manners, for both our sakes. (I'm a smaller woman and he's starting to reach the point where he'll be able to drag me along if he really wants to.)

My usual approach would be to take him on walks and stop every time he pulls on the leash until he stops and gives me some slack and then continue the walk. This has worked well with most of my dogs in the past, except one which I needed to switch to a prong collar on due to excessive pulling. With this pup, I'm looking to avoid any training methods that might decrease his drive for future dog sports, but I also realize I need to have control of him.

Am I on the right track with this or is there another approach I should take. I have watched the 8 week to 8 months video and the flexi-lead concept just isn't practical in this case for us and I did not find any other advice on training leash walking.

I generally avoid prong collars on pups until they are fully grown, but I accept that I might have to upgrade my gear sooner with a pup this big. I'm also not above trying a head collar for him or a martingale.

 Quote: Karen Tunkel

My 12 week old pup is over 30lbs now and a joy (St. Bernard/GSD mix). I've been trying to slow myself down and not throw too much training at him at once, but I'm beginning to reach the point where I do need to teach him some leash manners, for both our sakes. (I'm a smaller woman and he's starting to reach the point where he'll be able to drag me along if he really wants to.)

My usual approach would be to take him on walks and stop every time he pulls on the leash until he stops and gives me some slack and then continue the walk. This has worked well with most of my dogs in the past, except one which I needed to switch to a prong collar on due to excessive pulling. With this pup, I'm looking to avoid any training methods that might decrease his drive for future dog sports, but I also realize I need to have control of him.

Am I on the right track with this or is there another approach I should take. I have watched the 8 week to 8 months video and the flexi-lead concept just isn't practical in this case for us and I did not find any other advice on training leash walking.

I generally avoid prong collars on pups until they are fully grown, but I accept that I might have to upgrade my gear sooner with a pup this big. I'm also not above trying a head collar for him or a martingale.

Food-baiting & toy-tugging are two ways to help him pay more attention to staying next to you on a loose leash without collar corrections or using a prong on this young pup -- "Walk softly & carry a pounch of hot dogs", LOL ... Rewarding GOOD behavior with any high-value toy / treat is preferable to punishing Bad behavior at this early stage in the Training Game There must be LOTS of articles & threads about that on this site.

Some turns will also help teach him to stay further back where he can see you. I don't use the Koehler style sharp about-face for a puppy. I just turn and wait for them to realize that we're going in a different direction and praise them like crazy when they catch up again. Big praise/treats for managing to turn with me because they were paying attention.


Not sure if this method would impact future sport work though. Any input on that guys?

Some turns will also help teach him to stay further back where he can see you. I don't use the Koehler style sharp about-face for a puppy. I just turn and wait for them to realize that we're going in a different direction and praise them like crazy when they catch up again. Big praise/treats for managing to turn with me because they were paying attention. ...
Not sure if this method would impact future sport work though. Any input on that guys?




Use a different command for loose lead walking as opposed to a formal competition heel.
I use "Foos" for a competition heel and "With me" for a more causal walk.


Teaching a dog to walk on a loose lead will have no bearing on Sport heeling as long as you use a different command for the two.
My competition heel is "Fuss". My loose lead heel is "With me".

Edited by Connie Sutherland (06/16/2013 09:50 AM)
Edit reason: fixed invisible post

Bump (fixed invisible post above)

I'll work on using treats and his tug. He heels beautifully next to me when I'm carrying a raw turkey neck, except for the occasional attempt to get said turkey neck.

He also grew...overnight. He was tired Saturday, went in his crate early and I really mean it that he woke up the next day thinner, taller...and a whole lot more mischievous. This week, I'm focusing more on leash manners while reinforcing the basics. I like "with me" as a cue.

Thank you all for the suggestions!

I learned "with me" when I was herding. In that context it simply means leave the stock and stick with me. The dog can be 2,3,4 ft away but under my control.

i have a command called " follow " . it means the dog can be pretty much anywhere around me , as long as he is behind me . in my world this is very useful as we are often negotiating difficult complex terrain and to try to confine the dog to one side , as in a " heel " , would be not only difficult , but possibly dangerous to dog and handler .

i have also been working on " left side " and " right side " , which means come along to that side , and that will eventually morph into a proper heel on either side .