I know... I've asked about this before, but I'm getting really frustrated and that's bad for my training! It's my fault that Kasey is still pulling, I'm sure. I have tried ALL the training methods instead of picking one and staying with it. I'm sure he's thoroughly confused now on what I want! I know how to train - he's great with all the other commands. But when it comes to walking at my side w/o pulling, forget it. He's a retriever, he's looking for things to retrieve, like sticks or anything that'll work! He's not paying attention to me unless we are in a boring place like the driveway where he knows there are no sticks! But even then, I'm not convinced he knows what I want - I think he's just bored enough to pay attention!

I just can't decide which method to pick and stick with even though it doesn't seem to be working. I blame myself and get discouraged, then basically give up - bad, I know! But I want to pass the TDI evaluations and this walking thing is the only thing between us and that certification. I need to figure out how to get him to pay attention to me on walks. So I'm asking which method most of you used to train casual heel - head not too far ahead of my leg and no pulling. I'm not looking for perfection here.

My latest method has been marker training (got Ed's video a few months ago), but Kasey LOVES food and he is so focused on getting that food that if he's not doing what I'm trying to get him to do, and so doesn't get a treat, he will start doing ALL the other things he's learning in marker training! I will want him to be at my side (which he's done a bunch of times, so you think he gets it!), but he'll forget or something and when I don't mark and treat, he'll try playing dead, waving, giving 5, spinning around, and speaking instead! He just wants the food. But, the other problem is, once he's learned the behavior so well he can do it in his sleep, if I start to wean down the treats, he'll stop doing it - like he says, "no food, no behavior".

I'm really needing some advice about which method you think I should use for heeling in a dog like this. I feel like I need to completely start both of us over again. And I need to lose my impatience - Cesar would lecture me at this point!

You know I'm a novice at this stuff, but I'll throw out some ideas and see which stick...

Start with a new command... if you have been using heel, go to foos or whatever. If you think you might have him confused at this point, leave the old word behind and start fresh.

Do you have somewhere like long a long outside wall or even the garage door where you can practice? Perhaps putting Casey between you and the wall will prevent him from being able to take off and start offering the other options. I've read that putting the body into the correct position helps increase the "muscle memory" part of the equation.

Start with one step in the correct position, mark reward. Increase, blah, blah, blah, you know the rest.

Maybe starting fresh with a new word and something which will help you maintain him at least partially in the correct place will give him the opportunity to succeed more quickly and not feel the need to offer everything in his bag o' tricks.

I have even considered using a yard stick or something similar to help deliniate the "front" line, but this could be too cumbersom between leash, treats, etc... but it is a thought. Maybe a belt leash to keep him teathered and free up one hand??

I use a 'walk with me' command for my dogs walking casually on a loose leash next to me & a 'fuss' for a formal heel commanmd.

From what you've written Lori, I'd say it's time to introduce corrections into the mix.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.