Walking Questions

[mmahal408]

Up until recently I was never able to take Kobe (5 years and 8 months) on consistent walks due to his aggression since he was a pup. I went about the situation the wrong way, instead of working at it continuously and teaching him the right way, I just cut off his walks in general. I always felt terrible I could not take him on walks as I know he needs his exercise as any GS would, but Kobe would just continuously pull on the leash and literally take me for a walk. Seeing a stranger would make him immediately bark and ignore me which is the main reason I stopped with the walks, I wanted to make sure I have his complete obedience when need be. Anyhow, the past month I've been on a mission to get Kobe used to going on everyday walks in hopes of even letting him walk leash free one day and just generally allowing him to be a healthy dog. I've been doing some research and gathering all the tips I could. I also had Kobe neutered over the summer. Kobe's behavior has extremely improved and I couldn't be more happier, he's still not perfect but then again who is. I just wanted to let you all know what he does now when we go for walks and what I should or shouldn't let him do as far as his behavior. Any tips to alter his behavior would be greatly appreciated it. Basically Kobe used to lead me pulling on the leash but I noticed the more I take him to the same routes on his walk, the less aggressive his pulling is. He seems to stay closer when he is not exploring a new area. He still sniffs as we walk, but he walks with me and sniffs when we go on the same route instead of pulling when sniffing in a new area. I understand he does this because he wants to explore the new area, but is it ok for me to give him some more leeway on the leash and allow this or should I not? I thought neutering him would stop him always marking his territory, but this is another thing he seems to always do on our walks. He urinates on almost every other mailbox or bush we pass . I don't know why, is it ok to allow him to do this? If I pull on the leash he will surely stop and follow but that's not to say he won't go to the next mailbox and repeat. I have no problem with this, but I'm sure I have neighbors who would not appreciate my dog urinating on their mailbox.. The last thing he does that I'm not sure how to treat is every time we pass someones fenced back yard with dogs barking he eagerly attempts to run around and find a way to see the dog. I want to say he begins to whistle like he's sad while trying to find the dog, but I'm not sure how exactly to explain the sound. I'll usually continuously give him a slight shrug and tell him "Come on Kobe, let's go." He will eventually follow as he has no other choice. How should I teach him to ignore these barking dogs? He also will chase a rabbit or bird if I don't give him a shrug and tell him "No!" Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

[Jack's Dad]

Your still not walking him, he is walking you. IMO the walk,especially with a dog like yours, is for exercise. He shouldn't be looking around, sniffing things, peeing whenever he wants etc...
He is very old for not knowing how to heel or at least walk without pulling.
I think you need a few sessions with a trainer and a lot of practice to get him under control on the walk.
When you are around other dogs he needs to pay attention to you and keep walking.
If you want your dog to explore and other things then that should be done somewhere else but not on his walk.
He may not be pulling as much but he is still leading you. I think you can work through it but you have to learn to lead. He only gets to do what you let him do. Just suggestions, others may have different ideas. Good luck.