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Originally Posted by Daisydoo
I gotta say i'd love to see some of Lisa's outfits she wears around her pups!! Sadly i had to most of this training myself as Daisy's breeder 'doesn't use a vaccum' 
Fab thread tho Lisa.. i look forward to seeing what you have to say.. Although you said you always let the dogs walk infront of you when they're on lead?? Do you ALWAYs do that or just want you're getting them use to a lead? |
Let me tell you, I've had some crazy outfits on. It's like a kid playing dress up. Which is OK but sometimes the kids will bring home a new friend while I'm working with the puppies and it can be embarassing to explain why your mom is wearing a big floppy sun hat, bangle brancelts, moo-moo (with my jeans and t-shirt showing underneath), and high heels to walk a dog down the hallway. ROFLOL
I don't do obedience training and always want the dog to walk in front of me. First is a safety issue. If I can see the dog out front, in the event of danger, I can sweep down and pick it up. If I trip/fall/twist an ankle, I don't step on the dog. If the dog turns in mid stride, it's not under my feet. Etc. Believe me, I've fallen and I've seen other people fall, and there's no worse feeling than the one in your gut as you're going down, praying you don't land on the puppy. Second, for showing, it's absolutely the best presentation to have a dog in front of the handler on loose lead. The slightest bit of movement in my hand will guide the dog in the direction I want him to go. The judge can evaluate the overall structure and movement of the dog AND it shows a confident, alert little dog, which is the correct temperment for the Breed.
This is why we start by letting them take us where they want to go. This teaches them to walk in front of me. Then they learn to walk where I want them to with verbal encouragement. Then they learn the feel of the lead, like I said it's just minor tension on the lead in one direction or the other, as I give the verbal direction. Eventaully, all they need is the feel of the lead. Imagine dancing with a partner. You feel the direction he wants you to go by the pressure of his hand at the small of your back. He's not heavy handed, pushing or pulling you. It's a subtle thing. Same process, only with a lead. When a dog is happy and overjoyed to be spending time with his mommy, going on walks, and showing off, it makes a fantastic image as the dog securely and confidently walks down the sidewalk with a smiling mommy a step behind him.
Happy Dog Training comment thread
The first few days in our house he refused to walk on it LOL. I love building confidence in these little guys.
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