[Dailydrool] teaching dogs to walk on lead

[Dale Rutz via Dailydrool]

Hi all, it's the clueless momPerson here,
Why look at that, no events this weekend, I look at the drool, and there's one I know.  I've pulled lots of dogs from the shelter who were adults who had never walked on lead because they lived in a little square cage and pushed out puppies up until now or they were ferrel and avoided humans at all costs until someone managed to trap them or had been kept in a backyard their entire lives until someone realized they were now big and a bit scary when confronted and surrendered the poor beasts.  I've pulled far too many dogs exactly like this.  For what it's worth, here is my 2 cents
1)  In some cases, with a powerful dog (over 100 lbs .... labs) I would put both a harness and a martingale on the dog.  Reason being martingales can be slipped and some dogs are pros at doing just that by pulling backward and then lunging forward .... there's a technique and a skilled handler who is paying attention can *most times* prevent it but a stubbon dog and yeah ..... I've used the harness backup .... nothing wrong with a backup plan if the dog is big and hard to catch and has a fair chance of getting loose on the martingale
2)  Get some seriously good treats .... like jerky or pastrami and walk down the street with it IN YOUR HAND holding it at the dogs nose level right in front of him and feeding it to him as you walk him down the street.  Some dogs are real food motivated and this will give you total control.  Then you can slow down the amount of bait you're actually feeding but they'll watch your every move and miss a lot of distractions and learn some good leash habits.  If your dog is food motivated.  Keep trying.
3)  I've generally had mixed luck with walking dogs together.  On a coupler I had disaster where one pulled one way and the other pulled the other..... on martingales .... and both were loose ..... so I don't recommend a coupler ever.  When I walk Snoopy I often walk him alone because he is loud and bossy and generally obnoxious on lead even after all these years and it takes all I have to try, at the very least, to make him behave.  LuLu and Gracie I walk together, looping the handles of both leads over the same wrist and letting them twist if they way .... easy to untwist ..... the girls like company on their walks and either will walk with Snoopy if the other girl isn't up to it .....which is almost never.
Anyway that's my opinion and experience and worth what you paid for it.  All the best.  Be well.  Feel free to write me at dalerutz at sbcglobal.net if you have other thoughts or wondered if I'd thought of anything else.
Best,The ever clueless momPerson who thinks she knows this one 
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