May I have Loose Leash advice?
Hello all, I have some questions regarding loose leash walking.
Backstory: I have an 8 month male Golden. High energy. We did some training classes and in home trainer as well. Got one for walking but they liked “force” and corrections and started talking about how he’ll “need a prong collar” so I stopped that. The only force free trainer I can find in the area seems to be defunct.
The main problem: he starts to walk good by my side, I reward and he instantly leaves my side. Like getting the treat means it’s okay to leave. I will stop abrupt turn/stop to reset him but it kinda just repeats ad-nauseam.
Things I do:
- start the walk with some simple commands indoors to get him listening like: touch, heel (I use “by my side”), sit.
- have him sit and wait before going outdoors. I open the door and he can only start on my command. He has this down.
-I kinda mix up the methods when he’s pulling. Sometimes I abruptly turn around and wait for him to be by my side, or stand still until he comes back. Sometimes use a touch to get him back near me. Always rewarding for good behavior.
-I always reward by my side.
-once repositioned, give my heel command, make him do it as long as I can (usually a few steps to maybe 40 feet) and then reward before he can misbehave.
THEN, with that reward he’s like “fuck yes I’m going to do my own thing”.
I understand he’s an excited dog and walks are meant to be enjoyed but it seems he doesn’t make progress in three training walks.
These are in specific training walks, i also do sniff walks with a different leash, and I do other trainings/play/etc. I use good treats and a clicker or a marker word depending on mood. He knows both.
If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate any advice. I have a feeling it’s just going to be “it takes time” which might just be a reflections on me.