Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together #53

We’re looking at how to train your dog to stop pulling on leash. You have probably heard me talk about the importance of exercise for dogs. But, for some of you, taking your dog for a walk is not enjoyable, and you just want your dog to walk nicely. I’m covering what might have led to your dog’s lead pulling, what you can do to fix it, and how you can start to enjoy going for a walk.
In the episode you'll hear:
• About my trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and why world-renowned animal trainers
Bob and Marian Bailey taught us to train chickens.
• The importance of mechanics and reinforcement in training any animal.
• How pulling ahead of you on lead can be rewarding for your dog.
• Why your dog inadvertently learns that it’s important to be in front of you.
• All the good things that are out in front that can create pulling on lead.
• How to be intentional about a reward zone and why to know your pants seam.
• The best mechanics to use for loose leash walking.
• What better behaviour to train for success with walking on leash.
• How to hold the leash, how to reward your dog, and why to circle.
• The layers of training walking on a leash and how to rehearse success.
Resources:
Blog Post: How do I Stop My Dog from Pulling on the Leash? -
susangarrettdogagility.com/20...
Podcast Episode 40: Using a Head Halter on a Dog, Why My Approach is so
Different -
• Using A Head Halter On...
Game: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC) -
recallers.com/iycsummit-join/
Podcast Episode 42: Behavior Chains: Are You Teaching Your Dog to be Bad to be Good? -
• Behavior Chains: Are Y...
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 82 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
- - - - - - -
Our Website: dogsthat.com
Facebook: / susangarrettdogagility
Instagram: / susangarrettdogsthat
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LinkedIn: / dogsthat
Pinterest: pinterest.ca/dogsthatcom/
Twitter: / susangarrett
There’s always something new happening at Dogs That, so if you’d like to be the first to know, visit our website, register to receive updates, and we'll keep you in the loop.
dogsthat.com

[@robinban1875]

Susan is so fantastic she changed me from a “balance or nothing” school of thought to positive training and I’ve seen my dog blossom with her help and i haven’t even bought her course, just her KZbin videos and free materials make a world of difference. She’s a saint for not gatekeeping this life saving information.

[@DogsThat]

Thanks so much, Robin, your feedback is so valuable to us ❤️

[@MistyRoads]

A few months ago, a skinny, starving Australian Shepard showed up by our front steps. He responded to my voice and followed me up the steps and onto our porch. We have a wrap around porch with rails all the way around and a gate at each set of steps. I closed the gate once the dog was on the porch. From that moment on, he was mine. I bathed him, fed him, took him to the vet, got him through Parvo and now want him to be the best he can be. He has filled out a little and grown about 3 inches. He is approximately 10 months old. He has taken well to everything I have taught him thus far, except for walking out on leash. Oh my word, he is a major puller. I’m 70 so he can’t be pulling me. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found your channel and this video in particular. Time for us to walk in loops. I will check out your training program and see if I can fit it into my budget. Thank you for these videos!

[@kirstycampbell2582]

Oh my god Susan Garrett THANK YOU! We've worked hard over the last week with these steps and perch work and already there is a HUGE difference in my puppy's loose lead work, engagement and recall. Our reinforcement zone has changed to by my side and she's not pulling. Thank you thank you thank you 🤗👏🐾🧡

[@magpiesneedle2575]

Hitchcock, lady bits, dude. My kind of woman. Not the only reason I’m a subscriber 😂

[@suemyles2257]

I would so enjoy seeing a pet owner with their dog do these techniques

[@CamilleGG451]

Lol- loved the Hitchcock reference! 😆 (speaking of which, the other day I asked somebody who feeds hummingbirds regularly if they ever try to gouge anyone's eyes out with those long beaks. She said "Um... No..........." I was only double-checking! 🤓😳

[@sharonbroadway4054]

I watched this again today and looked close at my mechanics. Boy was I making mistakes! We practiced in the garage, living room and back yard then out for our walk. What a difference! We are a work in progress but on the right track!! Thanks again 😊

[@mandynoffke3974]

Can do the circles around the house, yard, even on a training field - but oh boy oh boy - don't open the gate that goes out on to the street. We are off like a shot!

[@una2702]

I wish I had found you eight months ago when I first brought home my unruly, untrained adolescent GS puppy as a first time dog owner! So grateful to find you now. For the past week, I've watched a few of your videos every day, and my brother remarked how much my puppy's behavior has improved in just a week (it's the Itsyerchoice ;-) I need to watch ALL of these videos, and can't wait for your special celebration next week. You are such a special person. Funny, generous, kind, and you sure know what you're doing. Your love of dogs and dog training shines so brightly. Sending you and your dogs a ton of love and gratitude!

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for such a lovely comment @Una, we're so glad that you are here!

[@veronikavysoudilova9697]

Same! We have our 8months old puppy home for over two months. And it's hard, even with training. 😅 Watching these videos all the time to help with my regular dog training we go to.

[@allenwatson33]

A couple golden tidbits in there. Thanks!

[@Go-zi1py]

I grew up on a farm and our dogs were incredibly well trained without the use of food! Praise and correction worked perfectly.

[@ASentientPlant]

Susan's program(s) fades the use food out over time. She doesn't depend on it. She also uses toys, movement, sniffs, praise, and pets as a reward.

[@msshellm8154]

I'm so annoyed with myself - I signed up for the (free) video course, but missed it due to medical issues - I'm hoping to catch the next one 🤞🏻 This all makes perfect sense, but I can see several issue with applying it to my dog. He's a 4 year old ex-racing Greyhound. We're so proud of him, he's come so far, an incredibly long way, since we adopted him - in October '22 (we've had him 8 months) - he's learning how to be a pet, how to _be_ a dog. He's a beautiful, gentle boy; he's still shy and a bit timid, but he's learned to Trust. Hell, he's learning to _play_ - probably for the 1st time in his life! He doesn't understand balls or rope toys, but has taken to squeaky toys, and is not destructive at all. He also get's along beautifully with my cat! We want him to be himself, to be happy, confident, _and_ to learn how to walk without pulling, (he weighs nearly 43kg/95lbs!) My 1st problem is, he's a Greyhound, and a large one, he (physiologically,) can't sit! My second problem is that he's not food oriented! It took us nearly 3 months to teach him what a treat was, and that it was 'safe' to take one from our hands! Because he's quite timid, he's still slow to "Come", and even if I'm offering a treat, the chances that he'll want/take it, are (maybe) 60/40? I could work with trying to just get him to stand, glued to my side, (rather than the impossible 'sit') but without the ability to reward? I'm stuck! He seems very well behaved around other dogs - though our only experiences so far have been in the vet's waiting room. He's been calm around Toy Poodles and other -Oodles, German Shephards, yappy puppies and terriers ... so he's not very reactive, and if nervous, will look to me for comfort. I would love to do more with him, to get him to enjoy more experiences, but we're not rushing him. My priority is loose leash walking (especially as, where I live, it is illegal to walk Greyhounds off-leash.) But I am really struggling to find a way to motivate him. I certainly cannot (will not) speak harshly to him, as it really knocks his confidence ... and that's NOT how we want to treat him. Sorry, got a bit side tracked; and it all seemed relevant to the issues I'm facing.

[@diintheuk4425]

Wow thanks Susan! This works! I started using this method with my 3 month old wild Vizsla pup 4 days ago. She didnt know how to sit next me, and she pulls like ceazy. But this method works! Day 1 she was sitting next to me, and D4 this morning we were able to walk my back garden next to each other for 3 minutes or so. I will come back in a months time to report back. Day7: My 3 month old puppy succeeded (for the first time ever) in relaxed leash walking next to me outside my house. We walked past about 5 houses & back...4 times. I can't believe this is happening after only 7 days. I wonder where we would be in a month's time. I can't wait....😊

[@DogsThat]

We're so glad this is helpful for you and your pup, keep up this great work and don't forget to report back. Excellent! ❤️❤️❤️

[@melissaames5564]

My trainer in Taos NM is a Karen Pryor grad, and she suggested your videos for training our 2 sibling dogs. The male came to us at 8 weeks, and the sister spent 4 months (between 8 weeks and 6 months) in total isolation, shut off from human contact. Both are fear based dogs. We have made amazing progress with both, and your videos are helping move us forward. They are now 4 years old. It's been a long road, but we're crossover trainers and losing the only tools you know as training methods and replacing them with reward based training has required so much patience. I would never go back. Thanks for giving us a perspective of the dog's brain, and how they experience their training and their lives in our world!

[@DogsThat]

@melissaames5564 thank you so much for being here and for all you are doing for your dogs 💚 Sending your trainer a shout out as well!

[@siduri03rob]

What a gift you are to the dogs and dog lovers of this world! Every time I watch one of your presentations that covers a behavior I'm having trouble with I'm reminded to slow down. Little steps very often gets you there. ❤❤❤ your work and your generosity is amazing. Thank you so much!

[@sidneyw5040]

Lady bits. LOL...Hilarious. Great name for a race horse. hee hee hee

[@teolinek]

I've trained with chicken once. Inadvertendly trained one to stand on one leg. What I wanted was a pivot. But well... My timing was far from perfect. Very interesting. Eye opening. Recommend to enyone intrested in animal training.

[@paulacurran3091]

I wish I had this years ago when I had a GSP who loved to pull on his leash. Eventually, it got a little better, but he never really walked well on leash. Still loved him with all my heart.

[@namiumi546]

I looooooooooove how you introduce all your topics, how you think about dog training, your sense of humour, and everything. It is such a relief to have found you just before I got my new puppy 😍 I wish I could be one of your students but it seems difficult as I leave in Switzerland. Well, maybe one day I will still follow your classes. I learn how to be shaped by dog and I can improve my English at the same time. Thank you for EVERYTHING !

[@namiumi546]

Live* in Switzerland 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@SSS-sd1cf]

I didn't believe this methond until I trained my dog with it and one day he came and sat beside me when I called him. I was like, wt@ is this coming from? It was one of the most fun moments I had with my dog. Love it!

[@priceandpride]

Video starts at 6:37

[@vickygoode8695]

I think you’re amazing. I can’t wait to try this.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Vicky, and happy training!

[@leighanncarter6293]

Love all of your podcasts. You make it easy to follow along and get the work done. You have a way of making dog training very straight forward and possible for us novices. I am a dog sitter and have recommended your podcasts to my clients for so many doggie training challenges. Thank you so much for sharing all your years of wisdom!!

[@DogsThat]

@leighanncarter6293 thank you for such a lovely note and for recommending to your clients! 💛

[@RayShaw007]

Really good advice, thank you for sharing. I'll be working on this with my mature dog and my puppy. Not that our walking is bad, more that it could be better. I like what i would call 'good walking'; a dog that is pulling is purgatory; it's very unpleasant, wearing on the arm and shoulder muscles and just a complete pain in the ass. I really enjoy a good walk with my dogs; it's a fun experience. I don't like to see people being walked by their dogs. I think the big difference between the old style training and yours is that the old is often a matter of discipline and correction whereas you work towards getting the dog to wanna walk by your side - like it's great space/place to be.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you Ray, and happy training!

[@kayrosswog7572]

Always such good info! You are giving away your secrets for free...more people need to listen up!!!❤️😊

[@56Timtam]

Thank you Susan. I am going crazy with my little moodle who pulls. I have an illness in my spine, so that when she pulls, I am in pain. I am starting up with this tomorrow. She’s so good at lots of other things. But she’s growing up now and the pulling is getting worse. So I’m very excited. I’ll keep you posted.

[@56Timtam]

@@phillipwilliam166 Still practicing.

[@kyliecarpenter4806]

KZbin knows I just went on a walk and needed to see this! I’ve tried several different ways of having my Border Aussie mix walk loose leash beside me. Treats don’t work long term and yo-yoing the leash hasn’t really done anything except for making him choke himself constantly and making me feel bad. Tonight I tried turning the opposite direction each time he pulled and walking a little distance before turning back around. It seemed to have worked well! I started adding a click click sound each time i turned around so he knew when I was turning and didn’t get yanked back. Once he realized what the click click meant, each time id do it he’d look at me and turn. Gonna add more of the tips in this video, but after a kinda bad day I’m excited to work on this!

[@stephaniemarder4300]

Running up your church? I love these.

[@liesldhont9880]

I would love to see more of the example practice to see the instruction more clear. Or to see it with a dog that is not trained yet.

[@landonrellonger8151]

I feel like this had more information than recallers lol. Susan thank you once again. Brilliant!!!

[@joannebrannon5340]

Thank you, Susan! This is great info and we have been playing Recaller's games since my dog was a puppy. Her loose leash walking has definitely improved. One problem I still have is when there are "good" scents around she wants to sniff the ground alot. Could you do a podcast on how to stop unwanted sniffing? Thanks!

[@justj9706]

I have a 2 year old German shepherd-lab mix. He is a terrible puller whom I can't really walk on a collar or even harness because when he gets focused on something there is no stopping him (he's highly reactive and his first "dog trainer" made bad advice to us so it became even worse). I have tried many approaches but this is new! I'm going to give it a try!

[@truecynic1270]

Brilliant, Susan!!! Here I am, senior person, and I NEVER ever knew, thought or 'heard" of this. Obviously, YOU and YOUR techniques have been 'missing" from my "instructional" life. Currently I have a terrific 15 mon. GSD who in many ways is simply great but in a few ways is simply terrible, stress-inducing, "p*ss*ng me off at times and not as successful as I had dearly hoped. Excuses aside, my mistakes recognized with me responsible, I am DEEPLY appreciative of not only what you say but the psychological rationale behind your information and teaching. Thank you. Thank you. ( and now I understand exactly why the wonderful kennel who bred my, and others, excellently tempered GSD, follows YOU and YOUR teaching. ( and the credit for introducing "uneducated me" goes entirely to the kennel . (Pfederland Kennel, Ontario, Canada)

[@DogsThat]

Thank you so much! Remember to celebrate every baby step with your pup, you will get there ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@truecynic1270]

@@DogsThat Thank you!!

[@jimhepworth]

A real eye opener for loose leash training our 11 week old puppy. He likes tp walk but is very distracted. He's tolerating walking on the right, but this will definatly speed up the process for an enjoyable walk for all. Wish you were near us in London. Thanks.

[@karengordon9680]

"my mentor Bob Bailey" - are you sure that you haven't already done 100 podcasts with that phrase Susan? :-) PS he's incrediable - I wish that I could claim him to be my mentor!

[@61cheezil]

Hard to remenber all this, I'm the one that needs training, more than the dog. You make it look easy

[@Cncparkhomeservices]

Susan, you are brilliant, just keep flooding this subject, I cannot stand all the horrible techniques on KZbin that are used including e-collars, yanking the dog, slip leads, prong colllars etc etc, my clients often ask me and I just cannot stress enough to them that so much on KZbin is bad, I say do you think it's kind what you see, if you don't then it's not, if you ever have any more tips to tell clients on how to navigate KZbin then please let us know. I struggle with what to tell them sometimes!!!

[@jennifersorum7475]

Love it!! GOOD STUFF!!

[@cindyrobicheau8987]

Thank you Susan Garrett for these wonderful resources! I listen to the podcasts in the car, walking the dogs, even doing housework. I just took a few minutes to ‘like’ the videos on your tube! You have such a wonderful way of explaining dog training and the tips are great. I am using many of them with my afghan hounds and its working. They all are Champions, compete in rally obedience, obedience, agility and lure coursing! Your advice helps with all the sports! Thanks again

[@belhypotheque6417]

Life changing. Thank you 🙏

[@annayost2954]

This is so simple, but so helpful! Thank you! It makes it seem possible to have a nice walk!

[@ohyesidid]

Good info!

[@michelepoitras3183]

Thanks for these great tips. Can't wait to try them. I've been struggling with my dog pulling on leash for 4 years now. Looking forward to loose leash walks.

[@megl6148]

This is brilliant.

[@IAMGiftbearer]

This is really helpful!

[@pebblesplaymates7370]

Thank you, great breakdown of the steps to follow to stop pulling on leash.

[@danielleshelbourne220]

Thank so much Susan, I really respect your work, you’re a legend.

[@diannefraser3595]

Thanks, so looking forward to doing the training ❤

[@madeleine2830]

Susan you are amazing. I am grateful for you.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Madeleine, we're grateful to have you in our community.

[@adriennewedel3791]

Thanks for all the good info. I'm seeing such awesome improvements with my dogs using your training methods!

[@bonnieoliver219]

Fantastico! Grazie

[@Crazee8tz]

Great info! Reinforce, reinforce, reinforce.

[@azogal53]

I see some ways to fine tune our leash walking, thanks to this episode!❤️🐾❤️

[@nelewolfs2828]

I can't wait to start practising this with my new dog who is about to be born next week. It will be the first dog I will train the Susan Garrett way :) Thanks for all your great tips!

[@dortenielsen8253]

A Columbus 🥚 So very logical and simple 👍 When walking the dog I prefer to deliver the treat in the hight of the dogs snout to prevent the habit to bend his head backwards to look at me. Even a tiny little bit on the outside of the dogs head so he will walk with his head straight forward, not looking up or looking to the side, where I am.

[@cherrymansk]

I always come to your channel to find something different. Thank you!

[@thats4anita]

I love training chickens, you learn so much.

[@rogehnimunoz4327]

Thank you Susan for this video. I'm going to try this on my dogs.

[@ruukee]

Susan, I am excited to have found you on KZbin. We are house sitting and training the dogs we sit for. I followed much of your agility training years ago. So your process is familiar. I'm going to give it a try!

[@ellenkingrice3997]

We’re in the Recallers program right now - I wish I had seen this podcast episode when we were introduced to Game Day 5. This podcast gives a LOT more of the beginner’s sequence. Thank you for all this content - it’s amazing - but sometimes I’m not starting at the right place.

[@jenner8art]

I'm trying it and I'm getting less awkward about delivering the cookies and things are definitely improving. I'm still working around my house and on the deck and have attempted it in the yard, but had to retreat to the house again. There is hope and I'll get there.

[@nancyhooper1742]

Definitely will work on this especially with my Gemma, my other 2 bosties are Great at Recallers but still need more work with Gemma. Always a Great Podcast and Great seeing Kim and Tater salad ❤❤❤❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@heathergallilee6161]

Can’t wait to start doing this with my 7 month old!

[@LightningZeusRottweiler]

Hello Susan I am a dog trainer student and I found this training beneficial. Thank you so much. I have subscribed to your channel

[@makingitthrough190]

I bought your Recallers programme quite a few years ago. I worked my way through a lot of it with my dog who is now much older. Life kind of got in the way of finishing it and I didnt thoroughly establish the training with my dog. So, I am glad to have found you again on KZbin.

[@deannelanders6277]

Amazing going to try it. My pup learns so quick and shows me when I’m Doing wrong

[@elizabethross9870]

Brilliant! I listened to this on the podcast this morning. I HAD to come home and see it; hearing it and seeing it are two completely different thing. I highly recommend watching some of these episodes rather than just listening! Thanks Susan!!

[@nancyhooper1742]

Totally agree, I prefer seeing then hearing so I can learn better ❤❤

[@ambergordon2157]

Agreed. I can listen to the podcast to get the gist, but I think I retain more by watching the videos.

[@romansabry]

Hi Susan, first of all thank you, thank you for your job ❤️ I am so happy I found you, I am getting ready to welcome a puppy this fall and I want to be prepared so I am watching your videos and red your books. Your job is amazing thank you for what you are doing ❤️ I have a question for you: I live in a little apartment in Italy by Garda Lake. We have no garden and here there are not so many secure area (I mean very far away from streets) where I can take my puppy without a leash but I would love to take him/her through the field and by the lake too. I can I do it without stressing him/her as it would be early to ask him/her to walk on a loose leash. Perhalps could I use a long one? Hope you can see my comment and give me a suggestion. Thank you again for your work. Hugs from Italy ❤️

[@katherinecollmer1094]

This we can do! Off I go to get the leash and try it right now. Thank you in advance for helping my “puller” to be happier on his walks - that’s how sure I am that this is going to work!!

[@Cozybear111]

Your videos are just so helpful! I can't wait to try this with my dogs! My 5 year old golden still pulls and I want to try this with him as well as with my 5 month old mini aussie.

[@traci635]

Thank you Susan. This makes perfect sense. I can't wait to try this on our next walk. I am currently in your Recallers class. I have done Rally training with him, so he walks pretty good in Rally class, but on our walks by the river, he pulls and we end up stopping alot....I will start working on this right away. I'm new to the Recallers class, and just reached game day 5, reinforcement zone. I am having trouble getting my dog to want to walk on my right side. In Rally almost everything is done with your dog on your left side.

[@lesliereneefox]

This was great. I listened to the podcast and then watched here to get a visual. While listening to the podcast, I assumed you were speaking in reference to the dog being on the left hand side (when you were talking about taking the treat from your right hand across), but i wanted to watch to make sure I understood correctly. Also, when you mentioned touching your seam, I assumed you meant further down on the leg versus closer to your hip and the video made it so much clearer. Just wanted to mention that because I know trying to describe things in a podcast vs video format is tricky. I’m the kind of person who needs a really clear explanation to get it right. :) I’m loving your podcasts. These are excellent! And it is so great to listen while I am driving or out for a walk.

[@equinn1768]

Can’t wait to start with new puppy

[@jaimekern7519]

I like this mechanic but,I have finally have the 3 dogs on 3rd day of less pulling. I am challenged because I have 3 and I suppose I could try individually, I will try short seam touch sessions. I rather not exclude any of pack in session yet I understand the group distraction. For a milestone I had youngster attention at side and only praise it was great he really wanted that treat! And the pack did not go out of control because a very well trained dog behind! I am looking forward to tomorrow " seam touch" introduction. I believe that the older one will be introduced first to this new communication alone at home.

[@jannellmeagher638]

Excellent video! I cannot believe it took so long to find your videos. I used to work with guide dogs, now it's rescues. Love your vids!! I sub'd and hit that bell.

[@DogsThat]

AMAZING! We are so glad you found us

[@elviamercuri7846]

We are working on RZ and it is coming along in the house, just need to practise more with distractions. So rewarding to see the dog move up into position at the seam if at first he stops a little behind. 😀

[@rafaeltorres9878]

Thank you so much for sharing knowledge, I got myself in deep water with 3 month Berga Malanois , and is hard to have him the reward he is to fast and blade teeth.

[@DogsThat]

Congrats on your puppy! 💕 Here's our Puppy Essentials playlist with help for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIasiWinjJ1oqrc&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@Gregorygrantley]

Hey cummon don't be expecting I have more than one room in my house 😅. Thank you very much I enjoyed this video and it is very helpful point of view that I haven't heard before. Many thanks. 👌

[@jokinnaird4028]

Oh wow Susan, I haven’t got my new dog yet but I do know he pulls on lead so thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes. 🤞👍

[@magpiesneedle2575]

Your mentors sound amazing. Really liking your videos 🐾

[@DogsThat]

We're glad you like them, thank you! 💕

[@heathermichelle8187]

Lightbulb!!!!!

[@TrainMePlease]

Susan, your content is amazing. As another dog training content creator here on KZbin I really appreciate all the amazing content you put out for all of us and for free. A bit of a nerdy one, but I think your videos will look better visually if you have less head room in the frame. Does that make sense? Keep up the great work.

[@debbiepatten6264]

Just found your channel & you teach so much more & with better understanding. We got our male Catahoula Leopard at 8wks & now he's 11mo old. I'm 65 & we have tried training with just learning through videos, but most don't really teach so se understanding. Professional training is so expensive for us. He's extremely smart. He loves a job. He wants to eat his food either from his snuffle mat or his kong. He knows a few tricks & lets us know to go out, but he still drags me all over our yard. I'm starting this training asap. Can you tell me what good treats you use. It's so funny, when he goes out & he knows he was good he goes to the treat bag area to show us he knows he was good. So stinking smart. Blessings to you.

[@janetgeier5187]

I'm gonna try this. always good info. Leash or harness. My pups will sometimes pull on the gentle leader

[@cowens7844]

This make so much sense! Thank you!!

[@mariannebosco5124]

Can the "sit" in this exercise be replaced with a "there" cue? We do freestyle and we can't have a default sit. So I want to know if when he comes into position on the left or right side I can tell him to remain standing "there" instead of "sit" until I walk forward or in a loop. We use the cue "there" when the dog is backing up to a particular location in the ring or at the point when we want him to stop moving in a particular direction. Thank you for all you do to help dogs and their people understand each other!

[@donnamazzenga7297]

Hi Susan, this is great info - thank you! I wonder if you might have a suggestion on steps I should take if I need to use a cane (always on my left side). My dog would have to be on my right. Because of the cane, my delivery and timing may be off. Walking my dogs is my greatest joy, yet the most problematic. One of my dogs, a Newfoundland, is reactive and has a tendency to want to rush (and pull me!), whenever he has a scent to investigate which can be quite often on a walk.

[@joannejones6760]

This is fab Susan. I'm wondering if you have done or would consider doing a version for mobility scooter users?

[@KatePenney]

My dog is being good to be bad with loose leash walking! We walk on loose leash, he gets reinforcement, the away he pulls! Back to the beginning we go. I am going to work on this along with suggestions from # 73 Thank you!

[@trees5338]

That makes sense, will give it a go.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, let us know how it goes!

[@emailforval]

I actually walked my dog two hours a day and stopped when she pulled and turned around. It took a whole year of consistency to stop her from pulling. This is much more effective!!

[@DogsThat]

We're so happy to be helpful, Valerie, thank you for sharing!

[@louisegariepy7697]

Like always, so interesting, so lively, so encouraging. I would have a question. Why always go back to the sitting position? I have trained my first dog similarly (meaning going through the sit) and now it is very difficult to reward her when I ask a halt and stay on the 4. For sure, the chances of not moving the butt to the side are better. This spreads to almost all training (my big mistake), so that she’ll will always try to sit in order to be rewarded. Whereas my second, that I go as a puppy, I started her pretty much how you teach, (except for little things that I should have known better), but on the whole, she does pretty well. But I never ask for an automatic sit, when I stop she must stop and stand and take an eventual reward from the stand position. Without leaving her “shoulder at the seam” position. Then I can right away either walk again, take a step back with her, or ask for a sit. I would really like to know why I should train while always going to the sit position.

[@TriciaThompson-oh1rn]

When you have a small down do you hit the seam from your knee and bend ]down slightly??? Great podcast . Learned so much already thankyou

[@nightmateus1014]

Thanks Susan!!! This is a good winter project. We have been trying all kinds of things for years. We are currently in Recallers and loving it!!! Highly recommend Recallers to all. We still haven't mastered walking on a leash in the neighborhood. It is quite a challenge for my patience. I have been doing the stop, it is slow and not real fun. From your podcast, it is negative reinforcement which I don't want. We will try this.

[@nightmateus1014]

Update; we did two five minute practices in doors. We had nice enough weather for outdoor walks and have done them 5 times since my original post. The left or right turn is working for us. 5 Beautiful walks where Night stayed behind or beside me the whole way. Instant success!!! Thank You!! We have plenty of other things we can work on for the winter.

[@tracymateus2102]

@@nightmateus1014 I do allow Night to sniff in certain areas, to go to the bathroom or just sniff. He either asks by looking at me or I just reward his good behavior. This is not competition obedience, just a walk where he is always beside or behind me unless I have told him it is okay to go potty or sniff around.

[@alisonmarquis1791]

Makes great sense - I'm going to try this today! We have a Border Terrier (so obviously smaller). Can you (or anyone) advise the best way to reward a smaller dog and if there's an alternative to having to bend down all the time? Training videos nearly always use bigger dogs - so much easier I know!!

[@jennifersawyer8207]

Good point! I too have a BT and was thinking the same thing. . .

[@steelandflorawellness]

I’ve seen people put peanut butter or other smearable on a wooden spoon and use that as an arm extension. I think the dog has to get used to getting cookies that way but I tried it for other things and it works!

[@alisonmarquis1791]

@@steelandflorawellness I have seen that too - good idea. Thankfully, a year on, our wee guy is much better - so something worked! Thanks for your reply. 🙂

[@hope1922]

I love Susan's podcast, I am no joke binging it from the start 😂 I have a question, how do we incorporate sniffing into loose leash walking?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Hope, Susan has a podcast about this exact topic :) you can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKnbZoWkoJmnj9U

[@teammine]

So in the days and weeks it takes to teach the puppy or dog to walk by shaping this way, what are we doing for exercise? Loops around the cul-de-sac and backyard won't be enough exercise.

[@The1eviltemptress]

Hello Ms Garrett! You said something about the dogs hips being in alignment with our own. Should our hips be aligned with each others OR should their shoulders be aligned with our hips?

[@tricialebanno4437]

So if I saw that correctly, Tater did not have to go into a sit in the RZ, he just needed to be there to get the cookie while he was learning it. Is that correct? I've been waiting for my boys to offer a sit first, but they take their time about it!

[@itsjude1]

Remember the chickens! 😂