[Msmaria]

Now that Dex is almost 6 months old , my son wants to take him running on grass for a little bit. Dexter likes to run in front of him and trip him up. How can we train him to run on the side. When walking he does great, but I think running looks like playtime for Dexter.

 

[skier16]

lots of loose leash walking practice. It will take months mine is just starting to improve consistently. 6 months is way too young to run with. may lead to skeletal problems. wait until at least a yr old.

 

[Lucy Dog]

How's his heeling? Do you guys practice it daily? Does he know that command?

 

[Msmaria]

Ok so hes still to young to run? I will keep him walking then.

He heels great when walking, we dont use the command he just does it. Loose leash and when we stop he sits. Im so proud of him. he looks like like a big boy

But when running..oh boy totally different dog, his toungue hangs out, he gets this goofy look on his face, legs all over the place, wants to jump on you and you end up having to stop to prevent from falling over him.

think it could be because I walk him and my son is the running partner?

 

[Jax08]

Give the walking heel a command and train that at faster speeds. Heel is position position position. You should be able to run backwards and have the dog hold position.

 

[Lucy Dog]

A six month old pup should be fine to run on grass. Just don't go crazy with it. When my pups 6 months, he'll definitely be running on grass.

It's a training issue. Just like you taught sit and down, you're going to have to teach heel and faster speeds like michelle mentioned. Have your son work on it with him too.

 

[Msmaria]

Thank you this sounds doable. I have not tried walking backwards so I dont know what dexter would do. He would probably turn around and follow me but not move backwards himself . I will work with him on this.

My son usually runs several miles on concrete daily and we know Dexter is not ready. So he doesnt take him. but eventually I would like them to run together.
ever since Dexter hit 5 months he has too much energy even after I walk him (still recovering from broken ankle) that hes up most of the night. I would like to do just a few mins on grass a day in the evening to help tire him out.

 

[Jax08]

lol...I was just stressing my point on the heel position. You don't really have to walk backwards with him. Teach him the position and then add other movement, faster sideways, around in a circle. It shouldn't matter, if he knows the position he'll maintain it.

 

[Msmaria]

lol...I was just stressing my point on the heel position. You don't really have to walk backwards with him. Teach him the position and then add other movement, faster sideways, around in a circle. It shouldn't matter, if he knows the position he'll maintain it.

Lol, thanks..I was thinking man, I really need to up the obedience hes way behind LOL. would still like to try it now that you mentioned it just to see what he will do. i would like him to heel proper;y anyway. We just joined an obedience club, and even though Dex doesnt have any papers and is from a byb. Id still like to try agility if he seems interested in it when he gets older.

 

[Lilie]

Because I like to take the easiest route....I like to start doing a lot of figure 8's when heeling. That gets the pup used to really paying attention to what you are doing and where you are going. It's also eaiser for you to make sure he maintains the correct position.

 

[David Taggart]

Heel is position position position. You should be able to run backwards and have the dog hold position.

Very good idea. You puppy should understand what you actially want from him. I'd also recommend planning one and the same route for the start of series of exercises with "Heel", gradually adding other routes. Some of them could be for walking together long distances just keeping your dog close to you, stopping at crossings and walking by some wall which can be a naturall controller on your left; some routes could be good for jogging. I like to feel a horse myself and do it regularly in my local Epsom hills. Just, you wouldn't teach "Heel" on a narrow path unless the grass was cut, your dog will run after you on the path, occasionally running forth and blocking your way, because it is not that easy to run on the grass as it were on already thamped ground. Running on the paving must be avoided. The best place I find is there, where the path is wide and larger animals might run some other times.

 

[boomer11]

when i run i dont want my dog stuck to my hip like how a heel is suppose to be. i want to enjoy myself and i want him to be relaxed and enjoying himself; not stuck to my hip and constantly having to worry about my movements. i do loose leash running. if he pulls to the end of the leash, i will immediately turn around and run the other direction and yanking him along with me. eventually he'll pay enough attention to me to not run all the way to the end of the leash. he'll pay enough attention to go at my pace but also be able to enjoy himself.

 

[Jax08]

Lol, thanks..I was thinking man, I really need to up the obedience hes way behind LOL. would still like to try it now that you mentioned it just to see what he will do. i would like him to heel proper;y anyway. We just joined an obedience club, and even though Dex doesnt have any papers and is from a byb. Id still like to try agility if he seems interested in it when he gets older.

It's not to hard. We back in a figure 8 around poles. That takes some thinking on her part. I was trying to teach her to Back and she just kept backing off and arcing away from me. I accidentally used Fuss one day and she was perfect. Teach them to follow your leg.

If Dex is neutered and a purebred, you can get PAL papers. If not, you can list him with the AKC as a mixed breed and still participate in AKC events.

If you are going to do formal obedience with him, teach him a different command for running. Do not use the same command for heeling.

 

[David Taggart]

to worry about my movements

Yes, but something should be prior to this. If he heels on the lead, then he must do it perfectly without the lead in any possible situation backwards and sideways. Positions, positions, positions. If he knows them well without the lead, it would free your hands first of all, and you would enjoy your running and controlling your dog verbally time to time, or with the use of a whistle.

 

[Msmaria]

It's not to hard. We back in a figure 8 around poles. That takes some thinking on her part. I was trying to teach her to Back and she just kept backing off and arcing away from me. I accidentally used Fuss one day and she was perfect. Teach them to follow your leg.

If Dex is neutered and a purebred, you can get PAL papers. If not, you can list him with the AKC as a mixed breed and still participate in AKC events.

If you are going to do formal obedience with him, teach him a different command for running. Do not use the same command for heeling.

I will have to look up what FUss is? With Dexter I will have to get him through the poles forward first LOL. Which is why I'm so glad I joined the club. Agility is something they do. I remember reading about the PAL here . That is the one that asks for pictures and neutering. Something I might be interested in. He's not neutered yet. I've been hiding out from the city, lol shhhh. But he has a date set for next Friday.

So many good ideas here. I'm sure my son wants him to run freely on a leash. So I'm going to try the heeling and going faster and see how it works. Will report back. Lol

 

[doggiedad]

how old is Dex and how old is your son? does your dog know how to heel?

 

[Msmaria]

Dexter is almost 6 months ( next week) . My son is 24. He doesn't know how to heel as far as position position but he does walk next to ( left or right) he doesn't pull, he's loose leash and will sit if you stop walking.