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!