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Zoe got a prong collar

danielleconn

Well-Known Member
The reward is in the walk. That's why it's called a structured walk. It's not a coincidence why so many people have such a hard time walking their dogs. It's because they aren't leading. They are letting their dog dictate. There are plenty of opportunities to let your dogs sniff, pee, poop, explore etc, but not on the structured walk. Never once has Solo tried to pull me to the side so he can sniff or pee. He's not missing out on anything. When you are letting your dog control/dictate the walk what they are missing out on is leadership.
I understand what you are saying but she walks beautifully with the prong now and she did before however in a new environment she was over stimulated. So in new environments, when she walks calmly while giving me attention she is rewarded by sniffing & exploring. The walk is rewarding yes, however when over-stimulated nothing is being learned. It is even more rewarding for her to stop when allowed, sniff then when I am ready, off we go but only if she is walking how she should. I understand your philosophy but my increasing the quality of reward offered, I believe the quicker they will learn & more they are willing to abide knowing their behavior will be compensated. She isn't calling the shots, I do when she does as I expect.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
There's nothing wrong with a structured walk. All of my dogs get a structured walk, or two, a day. They also get a pleasure walk where they are allowed to investigate and sniff things along the way. They are never allowed to pull me, and they don't. If I ask them to leave it, then they do. I think it's important to allow my dogs to explore the world. It doesn't mean that I'm not leading, it means I'm giving them permission - precisely as a good leader does.
 

season

Well-Known Member
There's nothing wrong with a structured walk. All of my dogs get a structured walk, or two, a day. They also get a pleasure walk where they are allowed to investigate and sniff things along the way. They are never allowed to pull me, and they don't. If I ask them to leave it, then they do. I think it's important to allow my dogs to explore the world. It doesn't mean that I'm not leading, it means I'm giving them permission - precisely as a good leader does.

And u just made my point for me. Keep the structured walk structured. If you want to have another "outing" where you let your dog sniff and enjoy the beauties of the world that is great. I do the same thing....but they are separate. And if you want to let them sniff explore while on your normal walks then super. As long as you're the one calling the shots and not the dog pulling you to those spots and being totally distracted from you as a leader.
 

season

Well-Known Member
And to reiterate, rewarding a dog for proper walking, there is nothing wrong with letting your dog sniff, pee, poop whatever, as long as it's your call and not your dog's.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
And u just made my point for me. Keep the structured walk structured. If you want to have another "outing" where you let your dog sniff and enjoy the beauties of the world that is great. I do the same thing....but they are separate. And if you want to let them sniff explore while on your normal walks then super. As long as you're the one calling the shots and not the dog pulling you to those spots and being totally distracted from you as a leader.

I didn't make your point. At least I had no idea that was what you meant. I made a point on how I do things, that just happened to be what you meant but was not what you said. You said to not allow your dog to sniff. Not that you have structured walks and unstructured walks. From the replies you received, I don't think anyone thought that your dog ever got to have an unstructured walk. I also think if you were to expand a bit more on your advice then people would get more out of what you say. You have a lot of good points, but you don't expand on them. It's like only giving half of the instructions for a recipe and assuming people will know how to do the rest.
 

Hector

Well-Known Member
At this point in the game, I would stop giving treats. Reserve treats to teaching new tricks/behaviors. You should transition to praise or environmental rewards. My shepherd, Buddy, will always hit the end of the leash if I give him full leash. He gets excited from the smells in the environment and he becomes aroused and goes into marking mode. Sometimes I will work on the premack with him on walks, but when I'm not in the mood, I keep him in a heel the whole time. I give both verbal/leash corrections when he steps ahead of me. Give him an inch and he takes the whole length of leash.

When she pulls on the leash, is it when you released her to sniff?

Can you video?
 

cj-sharpy

Well-Known Member
Let you're dog sniff, it's how they enjoy the world.


+2

We do the structured walk with start stops and uturns to teach loose leash walking is better than pulling all the time.
But if he walks well and doesnt pull his reward is to go down to the fields where he can get off the leash and enjoy hooning about and sniffing trees and exploring. We also use this time to teach recall from distances further than normal meaning he can go a little further in to the muddy woods.
 

season

Well-Known Member
How about making it a partnership rather than "its on my terms because I'm the human leader with the huge ego" kind of a deal?

Because it's not a partnership and I don't have behavior issues with my dog. My dog depends on me and my leadership, not the other way around.
 

season

Well-Known Member
If my dog starts paying rent, buying groceries, cleaning the toilet etc, then I might start a "partnership".
 

Glasgowdogtrainer

Well-Known Member
Is a friendship a partnership or do you have to be in charge all the time? I guess I'm confident enough to show my dog what I want from them and teach them it as a partnership approach rather than having to worry about being the "leader of the pack" all the time.
 

season

Well-Known Member
So when would you say and under what circumstances would the dog sniff, explore, pee, poo etc.? If it does not have a large property to roam around, then would you suggest dog parks for sniffing and exploring?

You can have your dog sniff and explore and pee and poop whenever you want. Just not during the structured walk. Save some time after the walk to do all that stuff.
I don't have a huge yard. I make sure Solo does his business before we start our walk (which he loves). After the walk then he gets his "unstructured" time. It's not complicated. I don't use dog parks. Unless there is no one there or people with their dogs that we already know.
I just find it funny that people think a dog is being robbed of freedom because you have them walking right next to you.
 

season

Well-Known Member
Is a friendship a partnership or do you have to be in charge all the time? I guess I'm confident enough to show my dog what I want from them and teach them it as a partnership approach rather than having to worry about being the "leader of the pack" all the time.

Good job. For me, I'm the leader, my dog follows. No worries.
 

BlackShadowCaneCorso

Super Moderator
Staff member
There are no cookie cutter ways to train a dog, use what works to get the desired result (short of abuse of course), no two dogs even in one household are the same. There are pros and cons of all types of training methods and youmust find one that works for you and your dog. Our property at home is for their free play, it is safe and they are contained and I don't have to worry about what they might get into. When we are off my property my dogs are required to stay close and behave to ensure that I am keeping them safe while in public.
 

season

Well-Known Member
There are no cookie cutter ways to train a dog, use what works to get the desired result (short of abuse of course), no two dogs even in one household are the same. There are pros and cons of all types of training methods and youmust find one that works for you and your dog. Our property at home is for their free play, it is safe and they are contained and I don't have to worry about what they might get into. When we are off my property my dogs are required to stay close and behave to ensure that I am keeping them safe while in public.

Salute!