How to walk a dog, Part One

When I originally wrote this entry, I reread it a few days later and realized I sounded like a total hardass. Which wasn't my intention. Some of the problem, I think, is that I see people walking their dogs, getting dragged down the street or being bossed around by a ten pound hairball and I get pissed. So I decided to re-write this in a calmer moment.

What you are aiming for is a dog who walks next to you, on either side, without pulling. While this may sound like "heel", trust me, it's not.

First off, dog training is not about negotiation. I say "sit", you do it, end of story. It is not necessary for your dog to know the motivation for your asking them to sit. I stopped using treats because I found that they mask whether or not the dog understands what you are asking and why you are asking them to do it. Training with treats is faster and can be very effective, but you need to couple that with random reinforcement (rewarding the behavior on a random basis) in order to make it work permanently. I have a few dogs who get downright crazed if they think I have treats. Yes, they perform like manic circus animals, but it's all about the treat and not about actual obedience. You ask for sit and they do a down, on the principle that if sit is good, down is better. (Most people ask their dog to sit and then ask for down, and they don't get the treat until they're on the floor. Voila, sit is just something you do on the way to down.)

The walk actually starts before you even put the leash on the dog. Don't get the dog all pumped by asking in a squeaky, excited voice if it wants to go out. Of course they want to go out. Go, get the leash and call the dog to you. Better yet, go and put the leash on the dog. If the dog then tries to dash for the door, block them physically. Keep yourself between them and the door. Don't yell, don't plead; in fact, don't say anything. Once the dog calms down and looks at you for direction - and they will - walk to the door with the dog following you. Block them as many times as necessary - the idea is that you go out the door first and they follow you. The same thing goes for the elevator or the stairs. If you concentrate on not talking and just act out "no" you will be far more effective. If you absolutely must vocalize, limit yourself to non-words. A sharp "eh" or "hey" will get their attention, so will a sharp sideways tug on the leash.

All of this sets the stage for the actual walk. If you start out in charge, it's easier to stay in charge. Once you hit the street, keep the dog to one side and slightly behind you. If the dog tries to pass you, block them. Use your feet for small dogs, your whole leg or body for bigger ones.

Tailor your approach to the dog. Dogs that are already submissive will be relieved that you've taken charge. Other dogs, like a lot of terriers, will need more frequent reminders and will need to be convinced of your leadership qualities. Don't give up. In training, there is no such thing as a miracle cure.

Sure, I have taken strange dogs out for a walk and had them behave perfectly after less than five minutes of my making it clear who controls the walk. But I know that they will still be horrors for their owner. Why? Because mom and dad are there saying things like, "Oh sweetie, just be calm and walk nice." instead of actually doing something. Dogs do not understand English. What they understand is tone and body language.

Here's an example. You are in a room with a chair. Someone walks in, smiles, gestures to the chair and says "Asseyez-vous". You think about it, you sit. They look pleased. The next time someone says "Asseyez-vous", you sit. Does this mean you speak French? No. It means that you figure that those sounds indicate that you should sit. It's the same thing with dogs.

Use a four foot leash, a flat collar or a limited choke/greyhound collar. Use a Halti if you are dealing with a dog that needs "power-steering" or likes to vacuum the sidewalk . Don't use a harness. Be strict now about who's in charge and you can relax later. For now, be the Drill Sergeant - you can play Timmy and Lassie later.

A word about Halti's. I've been walking a Rat Terrier puppy, and she's a great little dog. When it's windy out, she goes berserk trying to snatch things out of the air - she's very predatory, and all the movement just overloads her circuits. In a harness, she's a terror; in a flat collar, she's good for maybe fifteen minutes of quiet walking in between bouts of serious pulling. I found myself having to remind her constantly to walk nicely; she's a puppy and a terrier - a lethal combination. I decided to use a Halti yesterday...what a difference. Yes, we had some thrashing for a minute when I put it on, but after that she was great. We had a very pleasant walk with absolutely no pulling. Woohoo!

Panting after her like she was a bitch in heat...

I will admit that I never thought that this phrase was really, well, true. I figured it was an exaggerated figure of speech. Call me silly.

Recently, a Rat Terrier puppy I walk went into heat just before her scheduled spay operation. Given her size, I figured I could just scoop her up if some canine Casanova got too friendly. The dog I was actually worried about was the only other Rat Terrier in the neighborhood - an intact male - whose owner routinely walks him without a leash.

The first time these two met, about two months ago, the male growled and snapped at her, which was about par for the course with him. The one time his owner asked me to walk him when we she wasn't home, he was so menacing I couldn't get the leash on him. When I called her, the owner said - I kid you not - "oh, just put on the oven mitts and you'll be fine." Um, no? The owner thinks he's great, and he has actually sired a litter. I think he's too aggressive both to people and other dogs, but hey, that's just me.

My other problem was that one of the dogs I walk is an intact male - an Italian Spinone whose name shall be "Marco" for the purposes of this blog. And let's call the Rat Terrier girl "Alice". On the one hand, Marco has his balls. But he is about 10 times bigger than Alice, does have a lovely disposition, and is 12 years old, half-blind and a bit wobbly on his hind legs. Also on the plus side is that other male dogs tend to avoid him - he's big, and puts off that alpha-male vibe. I figured I would use him to protect Alice's virtue.

At first, it went well. She was in the early stages of estrus, and Marco found her only vaguely interesting and she could care less. By week two, he was beside himself. I admit I let him have a little fun, even though Alice ignored him (good girl). I figured that Marco has never had sex, and this probably the closest he'll ever get - and at age 12 1/2 he's not going to get many more chances. He walked around with a dazed look on his face, occaisonally licking her ears or her vulva, then walking around in a daze some more. He never got an erection or tried to mount her, in fact, he was much more interested in her urine than anything else. After she would pee, he would absolutely get lost in the aroma. Ain't love grand?

In contrast, I also walk a neutered male Jack Russell. On the two walks we had together last week, he gave Alice one sniff and that was it. He could care less.

Marco did manage to keep up with her (panting), and moved a hell of a lot faster than he manages on every day walks. He was steadier on his legs, and a lot more alert. He was waiting at the door for me instead of sacked out on his bed, and went up and down stairs a lot better. Not bad for an old dog.

By this Monday, she was no longer interesting. He gave her a quick sniff...and...nothing. We were back to our rambling pace. No panting. Phew. Her new appointment is the 28th - I can't wait.