Hi,

I have started training my 6-month-old English cocker not to pull leash when we go out for a (short) walk. I have followed Ed's method in DVD by saying NO, wating 1.5 sec and nicking if she does not comply. What happened was that when she found somthing she really wanted to sniff/snack, she pulled hard to get to it even after being nicked. It sure looked like she felt the nick as she had a startling body movement and blinked (no yelping). Yet, she continued to pull and did't back off. I repeated a few NO+Nick's. Same results. Then, I was the one who had to back off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What was the recall foundation work like?

ETA:
Here is P.P.'s previous recall work:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/241766/page/0/fpart/3




Edited by Connie Sutherland (06/05/2009 09:47 PM)
Edit reason: eta

She is improving in the recall department. I have only had to give her a nick once.

I assume that you didn't imply that I have to perfect recall until I could move on to work on just teaching her not to pull leash. After all, I could get 3 training sessions a day. And, in order for me to get her to a place, I could start generalize recalls, we have to walk to new places. And, I think it's about time to teach her walk with me properly. Does this seem to be off base? Also, I was following Ed's method in "Walk on Leash" section in e-collar DVD. But, as I described, she reacted with startling movement and blinking but did not comply.

Pat;
Your dog is extremely young. She was distracted with something really interesting. I would suggest to start with Marker training, becoming more intersting to her and reward her for coming to you, in a non distracting environment. Your dog's reaction is one of confusion (not understanding what the stimulation means) and drive to investigate her world. Your puppy needs to be on a line so you can give gentle direction.
Happy Training,
Roni

 Quote: roni hoff

Pat;
Your dog is extremely young. She was distracted with something really interesting. I would suggest to start with Marker training, becoming more interesting to her and reward her for coming to you, in a non distracting environment. Your dog's reaction is one of confusion (not understanding what the stimulation means) and drive to investigate her world. Your puppy needs to be on a line so you can give gentle direction.
Happy Training,
Roni

Roni - Thanks for you comments. Perhaps, I have rushed her too much. I actually have done marker training with all the commands I have taught including coming, walking on leash which I have done for about a month (more than 2 months for recall) in the house and sounding areas. And, she has done very well. I added distractions to the point that she would leave toys, treats, and even her food bowl to walk with me. In the house, I now have 100% success with continual positive reinforcement. She comes while being busy with chewing stuff/collecting scattered treats on the floor to find out that she gets even better treats when she comes. Somehow, when we get to a new place, she seems to be "sucked" into smelling stuff. She seems to have to intense sniff drive that I can't seem to keep up with finding new treats/food to be more interesting than those new smells. Since I can't bring those new smells in the apartment to gradually increase distractions, I am struggling to bring her to explore the world because I would not want her to think it is ok to completely ignore command and pull leash left/right to sniff things her find interesting. But, then she would never get trained and learn what she is supposed to do. I also wonder if there is such thing as a dog getting stressed because she is overwhelmed by new smells. Because, after she is in her sniff mode for a while, she pants and has glassy eyes. As much as I do want to avoid “trail and error” (that’s why I have gotten 6 DVDs from Ed and 4 other dog books.), it is perhaps inevitable as my dog does not react the same way Ed’s do in his DVDs regardless of applying the same training method.

Pat;
I think young dogs need mental down time, time to just be a dog.
Sometimes, sniffing is an avoidance behavior. In order to help her deal with stressors, work on your bond with her. Study her
and use what you learn to help her thru her struggles. For instance, if she is drawn to movement, you move, both your body
the way you deliver her rewards. Retreat and approach is your best bet for her. Remember to smile,,,,,,Happy Training,
Roni

 Quote: Roni Hoff

Pat;
I think young dogs need mental down time, time to just be a dog.
Sometimes, sniffing is an avoidance behavior. In order to help her deal with stressors, work on your bond with her. Study her
and use what you learn to help her thru her struggles. For instance, if she is drawn to movement, you move, both your body
the way you deliver her rewards. Retreat and approach is your best bet for her. Remember to smile,,,,,,Happy Training,
Roni

Thank you for your perspective and tips. I've been trying to bond with her (by training/play with her 3 times a day and cleaning ears and grooming her every day and of course feeding her once by bowl and twice by hands via training/playing). Is there anything else I should do? Oh...one thing I can think of is to (sincerely) smile more

 Quote: pat khan

I've been trying to bond with her (by training/play with her 3 times a day and cleaning ears and grooming her every day and of course feeding her once by bowl and twice by hands via training/playing). Is there anything else I should do? Oh...one thing I can think of is to (sincerely) smile more

Have you tethered the dog to you indoors sometimes?

Does the dog go places with you?

Have you worked on your marker recall in spots where the sniff attractions are less overwhelming? That is, say, on a long line, working on the recall, outdoors but in a familiar and more "boring" place (yard, driveway, etc.), only gradually getting to the sidewalk and new areas.

Do you give releases when you are on walks? That is, march along briskly and then stop and give a release word (mine is "OK!") when my dogs have the length of the leashes to sniff, mark, pee, examine, etc., as I stand still.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Have you tethered the dog to you indoors sometimes?

Not quite because we have a small place. That being said, I (and she) can really go anywhere. Also, she is one curious puppy. If I don't keep her busy with something, while sitting down (i.e. in front of computer), she would start chewing stuff (cables, table/chair legs, etc). What I have started doing is to give her a bone while I'm working on my laptop for half a hour before grooming and feeding her.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Does the dog go places with you?

Nope. Actually, I don't go to (other) places myself during the week besides my office. During weekend, we just go (drive) to Costco for grocery and don't think we should take her there.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Have you worked on your marker recall in spots where the sniff attractions are less overwhelming?

I have started doing that in areas around her potty place. And, she has done great. Also, I have always marker recall even in the apt.

 Quote: connie sutherland

Do you give releases when you are on walks?

For this, I also started to do it. But, I might have given her too few releases. Btw, she has learned to stop and sit when I stop walking. That's when I give her "ok" signal to go sniff. How often, should I do that, let say, for a 20-min walk? Every 5 mins?

Thanks