Walking The Dog

[Havok7416]

We recently got a dog for the first time a few months ago. There have been many challenges to overcome (she's a rescue) but it is a decidedly enjoyable experience.

The dog gets a minimum of two walks a day or equivalent play time. I usually end up walking the dog at least once a day and often in the dark. We live in a suburban area with sporadic foot traffic. Our dog is only 40 pounds and not likely to get aggressive with anything larger than a squirrel.

To date I only have one minor hurdle that I am managing but haven't been able to overcome. Our dog, being an apparently neglected rescue animal, absolutely loves going for walks, car rides or anything else enriching to her. As a result she bounds all over, zig-zagging from one side of the sidewalk to the other or running ahead or behind us. To avoid getting tangled in her leash I often switch the leash in my hands. Obviously this puts the leash in my gun hand on occasion (I do have a plan for how to handle draw my gun when this happens). I am interested to hear how those of you here handle walks with your dogs in urban areas.

 

[Pudge]

You need to train your dog.
Shorten the leash and teach it to heel. You both NEED for you to be in charge. If you can't do this on your own, find a trainer who can help you. The dog will thank you. They are very interested in knowing who is in charge, and if that is ambiguous, a dog is much less settled and content.

 

[Atavar]

The quickest way I have found to train a dog to heel is to take the dog to an open field or park. Take the lead loop in your right hand. Still holding the loop pass the lead in front of you through your left hand so it passes in front of you then down to the dog.
Starting with the dog sitting on your left say “Heel” and start walking.
When the dog gets ahead or off to the far left side say “Heel” and turn 90 degrees to your right. This puts the dog behind you on your left.
If the dog tries to pass you on your right then say “Heel” and turn left. The dog is behind you to your left again.
Rinse and repeat as needed for 20-30 minutes.
When the dog anticipates and falls in to step at your left stop and praise the dog lavishly.
Keep a firm grasp of the lead. With this method there is no need to yank the lead or chastise the dog. Every time you turn the dog is where good dog is supposed to be. The dog has no choice but to do good.
Most dogs figure it out in short order and after just a few sessions will remember the “Heel” command and match your pace on your left.

 

[lemaymiami]

Training your dog to walk at heel is important - do it sooner rather than later... If you're going to carry a sidearm make a point of also learning to do everything else (and I mean everything...) with your weak hand, from opening doors on down - whether with the dog or on your own. It will feel awkward at first but over time it will become automatic...
Hope this helps. I carried a sidearm off-duty and on-duty for many years and that was my routine. In the years since I retired out of police work (and quit carrying a sidearm entirely..) those habits still remain...

 

[Pudge]

As you work with your dog, remember: some dogs learn faster than others, and it is supposed to be fun for both of you. Don't train to frustration.

 

[gyp_c2]

Always stop on a good note!
Stop training and have fun for a few minutes after.

 

[CDW4ME]

I walk these two every day.
The GSD was very inclined to pull me. Slip leash, no-pull vest, muzzle type leash, prong collar didn't work; E-collar did.
Vibrate (like a phone), beep, shock (which I used on my own arm first).
Finally, he got the message that I don't like to be pulled. Beep usually reminder enough, vibrate if needed, shock was seldom necessary.
We are now able to go on walks without the E-collar, people walk their dog on other side of street and we walk by without me being pulled.
Also, keep the leash short, the longer the leash, the more leverage they have.
I'd have to hold both their leashes in one hand to draw (Glock AIWB) but I generally get comments like "nobody is going to assault you". (And I'm in a "good area" )

 

[Havok7416]

Heel is not something the dog cares to add to her knowledge base yet although training continues. She may be just large enough to deter most would-be street predators but I'm not banking on it. That said I rarely ever see anyone on my walks so this is an academic exercise more than anything.

 

[gyp_c2]

"nobody is going to assault you". (And I'm in a "good area" )

Hee. They both have that " Is that supposed to be a joke? " look!

 

[Pudge]

Heel is not something the dog cares to add to her knowledge base yet although training continues. She may be just large enough to deter most would-be street predators but I'm not banking on it. That said I rarely ever see anyone on my walks so this is an academic exercise more than anything.

It is surely a process. Keep at it and she'll get it.

 

[Jack Ryan]

We recently got a dog for the first time a few months ago. There have been many challenges to overcome (she's a rescue) but it is a decidedly enjoyable experience.

The dog gets a minimum of two walks a day or equivalent play time. I usually end up walking the dog at least once a day and often in the dark. We live in a suburban area with sporadic foot traffic. Our dog is only 40 pounds and not likely to get aggressive with anything larger than a squirrel.

To date I only have one minor hurdle that I am managing but haven't been able to overcome. Our dog, being an apparently neglected rescue animal, absolutely loves going for walks, car rides or anything else enriching to her. As a result she bounds all over, zig-zagging from one side of the sidewalk to the other or running ahead or behind us. To avoid getting tangled in her leash I often switch the leash in my hands. Obviously this puts the leash in my gun hand on occasion (I do have a plan for how to handle draw my gun when this happens). I am interested to hear how those of you here handle walks with your dogs in urban areas.

I teach my dogs to heel on my left side when on a leash. If I need to shoot (rifle or shot gun) and want the dog to stay I drop the leash and stand on it to shoot.

I NEVER allow a dog on a leash to "walk ME". On a leash it should be kept short, and taught to heel properly. Not ahead, not behind.

 

[Jack Ryan]

dupe

 

[Jack Ryan]

Heel is not something the dog cares to add to her knowledge base yet although training continues. She may be just large enough to deter most would-be street predators but I'm not banking on it. That said I rarely ever see anyone on my walks so this is an academic exercise more than anything.

Good luck with that.

 

[Atavar]

The turn away from her method works. Keep at it. Before long she’ll be walking with her ear by your knee.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Heel is not something the dog cares to add to her knowledge base yet although training continues.

I will get more difficult to teach her the longer she is allowed to do as she pleases.
When teaching heel I break it down into small steps in short sessions, 5-10 minutes at a time. It isn't fun or interesting so a dog will lose interest quickly. Short lessons followed by fun keep a dog happy and enthusiastic, happy dogs learn faster and want to learn more.
The dog must know sit before heel can be taught. "Sit" is a command, a dog that knows it will sit and remain sitting when told to, no excuses for distractions.
The first step is coming to the correct position at your side when commanded "heel". Should be easy if the dog knows sit, guide the dog with a lead first until it understands.
A good training tool is a piece of 1/2 inch PVC pipe 2 or 3 feet long with foam pipe insulation taped to about half of it. You can tap the pup with it to keep and guide into the correct position.
Once the dog knows where "heel" is you can start walking, the first goal is just one step, then 2, 3..... The next step after getting 3 or 4 steps is to go backwards. Dogs are always anticipating, if you always go forward after commanding heel the dog will naturally get out ahead of you, knowing that is where you are going. By going backward, forward and sideways randomly you take the lead and force the dog to concentrate on you and not where he thinks you are going. The first step backward will be the toughest to get. The dog will want to turn around. Find a building, chain link fence or wall you can crowd your dog against so he can't turn around. Tap his back legs with the foam covered pipe as you step back. Make a big deal over your pup when you get that first step, make him feel successful.

 

[Hangingrock]

Dogs are a major pain where the sun don't shine and so are their owners. A properly trained dog is not common but exceedingly rear. I live in the country and I walk distances as in miles. I take with me a long handle shovel shaft as a walking stick. The walking stick is a good deterrent to an aggressive dog.