07/03/2023
We all have tasks that we enjoy less than others. At home, I really dislike emptying the bins, changing the duvet covers and fuelling the cars. Anything else, I’ll do.
When it comes to training, loose lead walking is the task that makes me feel like I’d rather be doing something else. It’s just not my favourite thing, and I know I’m not the only one. It takes time, it takes patience, and sometimes both of these things are in short supply for all of us.
I get it. I know how frustrating it can be compared to other training. Still, do these things we must.
There are so many benefits to our dogs walking calmly and gently on a harness and loose lead; both physically and mentally. So much so, that I include it as a task in almost all of my behaviour plans, regardless of the individual problem that we’re tackling.
Why? Because there’s really no point in tackling one behaviour problem whilst allowing other stressors to continue. It’s hard to relax on a mat in the pub if you’ve had a really stressful time getting there. It’s hard to greet another dog politely if you’re already fuelled with adrenaline and cortisol. It’s hard to stay home on your own for a few hours when you’ve hurried around the block before your guardian leaves you.
Pulling on lead is stressful and exhausting. If our dogs are not calm, then we can’t then expect them to behave in the way we might wish in other scenarios.
It’s a bigger picture, a holistic picture, and it’s important to address different elements of a dog's everyday life when tackling some behaviour problems.
Many guardians give up on their dog’s loose lead walking skills very quickly, and I completely understand why, but I promise that if we stick with it, our time and patience will pay off, and both ourselves and our dogs can enjoy more peaceful and connected walks without frustration and stress.
This is Archie, and after just 3 weeks, he’s made wonderful progress with his loose lead walking. This is important for Archie, because he’s also learning how to be less reactive around other dogs. It’s essential that he’s both calm, and free from any discomfort if this is to happen.
Our dogs are rarely well mannered whilst feeling pain in their body, shortness of breath, frustration and exhaustion, and do not feel safe in their connection to their guardian; not just the lead connection, but the relationship connection too. We need to be their safe space, and we can facilitate that in many ways with a loose lead.
Archie and his mum are doing such a super job. They’ve worked incredibly hard in a short space of time. Archie’s walking so beautifully here; ambling along with no tension on his body and his mum’s arm is relaxed at her side rather than outstretched. This is a vast improvement on the frantic pulling and breathlessness that Archie was displaying just 3 weeks ago.
Loose lead walking and a better connection to mum means that Archie is starting to make more considered decisions about how to respond when he sees another dog. His body is relaxed and his mind is relaxed. He can think, and he can respond appropriately.
None of us can think properly when we’re frustrated or stressed. We make bad decisions or take our stress out on others. The same is true of our dogs. A calm mind means calm behaviour.
Great work both!
