Archive for the 'loose-leash walking' Category

by Lindsay Stordahl on April 16th, 2009
11 Comments »
Yesterday was the first bike ride of the season for my mutt and I (finally). We picked right up as though we hadn’t missed a day. I went slowly of course, barely above our running pace so Ace didn’t have to break into a run. When we got to a park I let him off leash and allowed him to sprint after me if he wanted. He took on my challenge and raced across the field remaining at my side no matter how fast I ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on December 5th, 2008
6 Comments »
One of my goals for this loose-leash walking challenge was to be able to take my dog out in all situations without a pinch collar or Gentle Leader and have him under control. To me, under control means Ace is not pulling, whining, choking himself or fixating on another dog or person. Before this challenge, I walked Ace with his pinch collar on almost every day. After working with Ace specifically on heeling for 30 da ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on December 1st, 2008
3 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. A good way to get my dog to pay attention to me is to turn around and walk the other way without saying anything. I do this when Ace (not pictured) sneaks ahead on a walk, but I also do it when he is “free” and gets too fa ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 28th, 2008
6 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. Ace has made great progress with loose-leash walking over the last 25 days. Here are some changes I’ve noticed with his heeling: - When I tell Ace “OK!” he chooses to walk at my side. “OK” is Ace’s ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 23rd, 2008
1 Comment
…………………………………………………………………….. One of my dog-running clients wanted her dog to socialize and practice walking with another dog, so Ace and I met up with them Saturday. Ace was the perfect match because he is calm and submissive. Of course, the meeting benefited bot ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 20th, 2008
5 Comments »
A good trick to get my mutt to walk nicely at my side is to give him something to carry in his mouth. Since he is a retriever, carrying is serious business. I try to avoid tennis balls and give him something like a stick or water bottle. Carrying the stick becomes Ace’s job, and he does not pull ahead or stop to sniff. His whole walk changes when he is “working.” His head is up, and he carries his b ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 17th, 2008
10 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. From the car to the dog park is a challenging area for most dogs to walk on a loose leash. Ace (not pictured) and I went to the 45th Street dog park in Fargo today to practice some on and off-leash heeling. There were no other dogs at ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 10th, 2008
9 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. Ace and I headed over to Lindenwood Park in Fargo Saturday for a much-needed walk. We have to drive there, but it’s only a few miles away. I thought this park would be good for Ace because it’s full of trees and squirrels, ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 8th, 2008
10 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. One problem with our new neighborhood is there are not many interesting parks nearby. Ace’s worst leash behavior comes out when we are in more exciting areas, so today I will be driving him to a park and maybe the dog park to pr ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 6th, 2008
2 Comments »
…………………………………………………………………….. Ace (not pictured) has done very well on loose-leash walking in our new neighborhood. He is already at ease with his new surroundings, and I credit that to walking him often. Heeling well down the sidewalks is no problem for Ace with ...