Hi everyone,

my dogs walk nicely without pulling if I avoid distraction levels which are too high for them.

The long line I've been using in our yard to practice informal recalls. Then they are walking free within that area, dragging the line behind them. This works fine with the exception that they try to run to the wall between our house and the one of the neighbour, when one of his dogs begins to bark. I jump then on the line to hold them back, this mostly works but it also happened that it slipped away from under my foot.

I'd like to use the long line too on walks, beginning on the relatively calm way in front of our house. Though I'm unsure if I should try this already. It can always happen that a stronger distraction turns up. So what if I miss the line with my foot or if it slips away?

I can also walk with them varying at which length I hold the line with my hands. I'd like to do this in order to give them a bit more space to sniff around on spots where it is reasonable to allow this. But again: What if something unexpected turns up? The dogs are strong and can accelerate very quickly when the line is long and I'm not sure if then I could hold them in a surprise situation.

This sounds as if they were monsters, which they are not. They certainly would never attack humans, they are also desensitized against hens, which here always walk about. They also normally listen to my command. But I must emphatize NORMALLY.

Would it be justified to try it or should I better leave it? I don't want to risk an accident or do something else irresponsible.

When they pull the long line out for under your foot it teaches them the can ignore you when the distraction is high enough.

Use the long line as a correction tool. Firm but Fair!

There are times to let them sniff and times for them to pay attention to you.

Yes, absolutely, they learn very quickly, where my weaknesses are. When they are allowed to sniff and when they have to focus on me, they know. They obey, except in those certain situations.

So using the long line as a correction tool makes sense. I'll begin practicing this on the most quiet spot. Thanks, Bob!

Move up to distractions slowly and be sure there is no slack in the line when using it for corrections.

The corrections should be strong enough so the dog responds and not just ignores you.

Oh yes, thanks! I'll think about that. No slack when giving corrections I'm in between aware of already from the normal line.

But strong enough will be difficult with the Pits, because they are heavy and strong and are not so easily impressed by my corrections, even if I think it was a strong one and already have a bad conscience it could have been to rough.

You might consider taking them through the Koehler long line protocol then. It uses all their strength and momentum against them. It also teaches the dog that their eyes better be back on what you're doing rather than the distraction.

It's pretty simple but very effective.

Day 1-3
Pick 3 or 4 points in a triangle, square, or rectangle about 30-50 feet apart. Without a word to the dog and your hands grasping the very end of a 15 ft line start walking to the next point. Don't look back at the dog, pat your leg, call them, make kiss noises, etc. Ignore them if they get tangled. Just keep walking. They will untangle themselves and learn to mind their feet with the line without your assistance. If they rush off or plant their butt and refuse to move just keep walking. Don't say anything. At each corner pause for about 30 seconds to a minute to let the dog gather themselves and let their attention drift a bit.

Days 4-6
Still on the 15ft line. Same walking pattern for the first day. Any area with enough space after that. At your option you can either plant a distraction or simply go to a more distracting area. I used a large park near me where there's always something going on. When the dog is 6 feet ahead of you or dashing off to go see something turn in the opposite direction and walk away. Koehler taught people to run hard but I haven't found that necessary. Inevitably the dog hits the end of the line hard if they are running or just smacks into it if they are wandering. They then go catch up to you. Do this enough times and they learn to make sure you don't sneak off on them and since it's all been done in sort of an impersonal fashion they don't seem to think that you are punishing them. My very handler soft AmBull wasn't upset by this process at all.

Koehler did have his good points.

I still have a couple of his books I bought in the early 60s.

I would add to this training a lot of marker work and big rewards.

Koehler occasionally gave a pat on the head but not much more.

good marker training isn't about never correcting.

I will add for everyone that a dog without a rock solid recall under high distractions should "never" be off a lead when not in a fenced area.

Yep, if you want to learn what a training SYSTEM is go read the Koehler books but markers and rewards are a great modern addition. I like the level of obedience you see out of the Koehler trained dogs but their attitude leaves a lot to be desired.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

I'd like to use the long line too on walks, beginning on the relatively calm way in front of our house. Though I'm unsure if I should try this already. It can always happen that a stronger distraction turns up. So what if I miss the line with my foot or if it slips away?
Would it be justified to try it or should I better leave it? I don't want to risk an accident or do something else irresponsible.

(Bold print mine.) This sounds to me as if you are wanting to try walking your dogs without holding onto the line at all, just planning on stepping on it if needed. I'm confused about why you would even want to try that. From your previous posts, I've gotten the impression that you live in a populated area of Brazil, with neighbors and many stray animals about, not someplace that would be appropriate or safe for off-leash exercise.

If your dogs walk nicely on a regular leash and you want to teach them to use a longer line to give them a bit more freedom, I see nothing wrong with that, but I would not be letting go of the end of that line. Just my two cents.

Cathy, what a wonderfully detailed instruction! Thank you so much! I will tomorrow begin trying this in the yard. (Today can't, although I'd love to. Guests. I'm angry with them to hinder me! J.)

Yes we live in a quite populated area and with whole lot of strays etc. Directly near us it is almost always quiet, but only ALMOST.

True, I wanted to try letting the dogs just drag the long line behind them. I've read this from some professionals, (but maybe only selfstyled ones).

I have until now only tried it within our yard. On walks they were always online. But already in my yard I experienced that this might be very questionable, as the line can slip away. Depends on the force, exact jump and the solid underground too.

Only thing I'm a bit precupied with holding the long leash at the very end is when confronted with distractions, because those strong, fast biests then have enough space to accelerate and pull me down. When it's a surprise distraction I'm leaning backwards to give counterweight.

Problem: I can not know before what's going on in those crittir's heads, only guess. About two years ago on a walk (still with normal line) we met a huge pig loose on our way. I thought Slippie would be very curious and pull against it and so I leaned backwards (better would have been changing direction early enough). I misjudged her. She was afraid and ran to the opposite direction. I was able to react and didn't fall though, but nearly. But with long line???

However, we can not avoid everything, just learn from such events.

I will certainly buy Koehler's book. Sounds very interesting and helpful! Thanks for the tip.

Bob thanks a heap too.I will certainly add marker training. I'm convinced of it and training everything with it. I know also it doesn't exclude corrections at all. But those I have to learn much better.

Also have to learn to get rid of that awful pity, which in certain situations is probably unreasonable and hinders me to give a correction stronger.

Good to remind me too. Never offleash, even not with long line on the dog. And a more solid recall! I'd better go on training within our walls for the time being. Far from "rock solid" until now. Thanks for the warning just in time!!!