Teaching our dogs to walk politely beside us is something many people struggle with. I think part of the problem is calling it "Loose Leash Walking" because this puts the emphasis on the leash.
I've gone back to calling this behaviour "Heel" because what it's really about is the position. Also, a consistently rewarded position is much easier for our dogs to understand than the absence of tension.
Here are the steps I use to teach my dog that being beside me is a good place to be, and then how I incorporate motion. www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ When I began training my first dog, the curriculum was based around Competition Obedience and we taught "heel" as a position, both on and off leash.
Then Pet Manners became popular and all that we asked for was a loose leash for pet dogs. I think this was a mistake.
Calling it "loose leash walking" puts the emphasis on the leash, and I believe it is much harder for a dog to understand the absence of tension on a leash than to understand one position: stay beside my left (or right) leg. Dogs understand position quite easily.
Here's a short video of why I don't like trying to mark a loose leash and don't encourage this way of training it.
๐พ In my next video, I'll show you what I do like to do. Stay tuned! ๐
www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ When we get a new puppy, sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming. Thereโs so much advice out there about all the things you โshouldโ do, and people can be unsure what to prioritize. Thereโs a lot of information about training and socialization, but honestly, I feel thereโs something else that is even more important, but which isnโt talked about enough. ๐พ In this short video, I tell you what that is. P.S.: The same advice is good for new adult dogs, too. ๐www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ Did you know we are also on Instagram?
If you have an Instagram account, click the link below and follow us to join our Instagram community! ๐
โก๏ธ www.instagram.com/caninecompanionsca
๐พ This can happen to the best of us - your dog escapes his leash and doesnโt want to come back. What should you do? Unfortunately, many people do exactly the opposite and in fact create a game of โKeep Awayโ when they least want this.Here is some advice about what to do to get your dog to come back to you. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Let me know in the comments! www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ New Dog Training Classes starting the week of September 09!
๐พ New Dog Training Classes starting the week of September 09!
Here is a video that shows a little about our classes. We use reward-based training to teach behaviours, promote your relationship with your dog and have fun! ๐
Limited spots available for Basic Manners, Intermediate Manners and Scent Detection Classes - Level 1 & 2. www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ Register by email or phone, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions. ๐ (250) 713-5582 / [email protected]
๐พ Many people find it difficult to reduce the number of rewards they give their dog for correctly performing a behaviour. I think one reason is actually the fear that the dog will not work unless they get a reward.
Actually, the opposite is true if you reduce the rewards correctly once a behaviour is learnt. If your dog performs a behaviour correctly 8 out of 10 times, the behaviour is learnt. Now you can start randomizing your rewards.
In this short video, I explain why this works. ๐ www.caninecompanions.ca
#dogs #dogtraining #dogtips #ladysmithbc #nanaimobc #cedarbc
๐พ I've discovered a little bit of Paradise for you and your dog! This is a fully fenced field where you and your dog can just relax. It's not just for reactive dogs, even though that's what it's advertised as. Check it out! www.ttanimaltherapy.com
๐พ How much to reinforce your dog for a desired behaviour can be a little tricky. Many people expect that the longer they train the dog, the less reinforcement is needed. However, it's not quite as simple as that because you need to look at a lot of variables. Here's a short video to explain what I mean by this. ๐ www.caninecompanions.ca
#dogs #dogtraining #dogtips #ladysmithbc #nanaimobc #cedarbc
๐พ Most people are familiar with the advice that puppies need to be socialized to make them comfortable out and about in the world. However, there is a problem behaviour in the home that socialization will not prevent: separation anxiety.
This issue can develop in puppyhood if appropriate steps are not taken to teach your puppy to be comfortable being alone.
Please make your dog's life, and your life, easier by teaching this important life skill.
www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ How do you help your dog get into the position you want him or her to be in? A lot of people try to move their dogs by pulling them around by the leash.
In this video, I talk about why this is not the best way to move your dog and show you an alternative that works better. I hope this is helpful! ๐
www.caninecompanions.ca
๐พ I love all the dogs and enjoy all the people I work with, but sometimes there are really special moments. This is one of them. Please share our joy at seeing Indy having such a good time! โบ๏ธ www.caninecompanions.ca