We had been practicing variations of loose leash for some time but the HS collar still seemed necessary. Excitement for dogs, cats, crows, etc was getting better with a strong stationary heel and “focus” command but reactivity was common enough that flat collar was a pain on the butt.
Coming out of her season, i felt comfortable bringing a clicker into loose leash walk training. A clicker, flat collar, cheddar cheese cubes, and the word “easy” were the tools. Man! She figured it out in 2 days of cheese clicker loaded walking. This dog has not pulled or required a correction in over a week. While she is still looking at other critters, she has been trotting on by, click, treat, keep going at my side.
i figured it was time to do our morning walk off leash. An experiment on trust and confidence. Again, lots of cheese and the clicker. While we didn’t run into many people and only dogs in windows/behind fences, she did the whole thing by my side, paying attention to what i was doing. Its like a switch went off or something “clicked.” After even these short unleashed walks, it feels like a heavy training session, like her brain has been worked hard!
i know off leash isnt for everyone or everywhere and we are taking it slow, but combined with true loose leash walking, it feels great to have this level of progress in this scampy pup!!!
thank you to everyone who has offered tips along our way!
