I know there are probably a million threads on walking a puppy and that is a problem for my ADD. I am looking for a thread on walking a puppy that clearly outlines teaching a puppy to walk on a leash. I just had a 1 mile escapade where Duke pulled one way or the other the entire walk. He never showed any signs of tiring out but I think he walked 3/4 of the mile on his back legs only. I am trying to teach him to walk by holding the leash tight to my body with enough slack for him to walk next to me. I continue walking at a steady pace however its like trying to walk to a tasmanian devil with nun-chucks. I know he's too young for a prong collar and he's a very hard dog. He will be training PSA so I don't want to correct him too much now and kill his drive.

I know I'm long winded so here's my question. Can someone post a link to a thread or provide a training regiment that provides exact steps and what to look for before moving to the next step. ie. when teaching a down and the dog is consistently bowing (step 1) you then wait till his bottom hits the ground (step 2) before rewarding.

Sorry but I don't glean well. I need to be told step by step + problem solving to get something.

Hi Josh,

I found this website by accident a few days ago, I've been reading up on it and so far feel that it is a very structured way to train a dog. I hope this is helpful:

http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html

Josh,

When I decided to change my dog to a raw diet (after having a pretty good amount of info on this site) I really, really wanted the outline you are looking for in regard to training your pup. A wise member suggested I read, read a bit more and then read one more time. If I THEN still wanted an outline, he would assist. It was great advice; I learned so much in the process - far beyond what I would have acquired if given a "do A,B then C".

I think you too will benefit more than you realize by searching a bit on your own, even though it won't be the quick fix you prefer (and me too.) What I can offer without knowing the age of your pup and what other training you are working on is perhaps a 1 mile walk is waaayyy too much in regard to training walking on a leash. You might try starting with a more tired pup, for short, short periods and rewarding the minute he does what you want. Have you read about marker training yet? It could easily assist with this process. Regardless, break it down into small, tiny steps at first before trying to walk a young dog one mile - especially if he has the energy to do so on his back legs!!

This video helped me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6bX1zq5HBg

Josh, I don't know the age of your dog, but mine was about six months old when I got her.

She is a small breed and very energetic and I remember well that she would practically walk on her back feet only the biggest part of the walk.

Barbara's advice to read, read, read, and read some more is great advice.

Cover this entire site and you will eventually see what it is that you need to do.

With mine, she wasn't getting enough exercise and mental stimulation and also I had to start at the beginning with pack structure so that she knew automatically that she couldn't walk in front of me. (Such as thru doorways, steps, gates, etc.)

That's also about the time I started marker training. That tires them out a lot. Plus due to the small size of mine, I can play fetch with a little ball in the house. All this goes to tire the dog.

I think maybe you will need to start at the very beginning before you can expect a lot from the walks.

However, let me make clear that I am not one of the experienced handlers and I am sure some will chime in with some real good help.

 Quote: josh twigg

I just had a 1 mile escapade where Duke pulled one way or the other the entire walk.

Josh the first step is: work on your patience

From your post I'm guessing you have a young pup. Under 6 months?

I gave up on formal leash work until my pup was about a year and a half. What I did in the mean time to put some measure of control into our outings was condition him to walk at my side by using a knotted rope. I would drag it along the ground like a cat toy; he would pounce on it bite it and stalk it and be right where he should be in conjunction to me with a loose leash. It saved many a pair of pants and also any blood shed because if he wasn't pulling he was biting........thats what puppies do

Also, he grew really fast so I found it easier to hook the leash through my belt; or around my waist so I could just stop moving if he began to pull and not give him the satisfaction of being able to pull me forward.

This is a personal preference and everyone is entitled to their opinion but I never cared for working on loose leash walking or "heaven forbid" heeling on leash with a puppy. It was slow going and frustrating for me. I much prefer to spend the time on recall. It seems to flow better and packs in one heck of a work out too.

Not much help; but at least you know you are not alone in finding this a tough one.

I'll hafta admit, I figured that a year and a half of reading leerburg posts for hours on end 3-7 times a week and watching the video's I've purchased (8wks-8mos, basic dog obedience, training with markers, building drive and focus, establishing pack structure, and e collar video's) would have been enough.(what was I thinking )

Its just that there is a huge difference between learning theory and applying it. There is a local Schutzhund club that I was going to start training with but I have heard a few things that make me leary about the trainer who runs the club. I have made contact with a few people who train PSA, but as I have previously posted they are on a little bit of a hiatus dealing with injuries and prepping for nationals (which they are hosting.

I guess I am expecting alot... Duke is only 20 weeks old. He is very high energy and has alot of prey drive (to my untrained eye). I guess I really need to find someone local to train with because I am a see/do type person not a hear/do or read/do type person. I don't really ever grasp a concept till I see it in action.

 Quote: Josh Twigg

.... I continue walking at a steady pace however its like trying to walk to a tasmanian devil with nun-chucks. I know he's too young for a prong collar and he's a very hard dog. He will be training PSA so I don't want to correct him too much now and kill his drive.

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/249649

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/249649/page/0/fpart/2