Walking nicely?

[Alex C.]

What is exactly to be walking nicely? Is it a completely loosh leash? Brandi does fairly well, but she always seems to be just one step ahead of me which keeps the leash tight. I correct her, but then she goes right back to it, no matter the speed of our walk. Do you think I should keep correcting her until I get a completely loose leash? Or walking next to me is walking nicely? I'm confused. Thanks.

 

[Maxwell's Ma]

Loose leash means just that. No tugging. I guess walking nicely means whether you are loose leash walking or by our side they are not pulling on the leash.

How do you correct her? The best way is to stop till they don't pull anymore. Evertime they pull you stop. They really want to get where they are going so they go in a hurry. So, I just don't let them. Mine don't pull. But, it has taken many hours and patience to get them this way. They sit before we go out the door and I always go first then invite them out.

They really want to please so I just have to show them what I want them to do. I know it sounds simple but it will take the time. Good luck.

 

[nswain]

As long as Grumpy's not pulling my shoulder out, that's walking nicely to me!
If she is in a formal heel, she has to be right at my side, no going ahead. But I only bother with that on busy streets or crowds. . . for most of our walks she can be a few steps in front if she wants. Just want some slack in the leash - basically she is matching my pace, not trying to drag me forward. Grumpy's not the best at it yet but she's getting better (finally!!) We started to use a Gentle Leader about 2 months ago, when she got big enough to really pull me along. I have found that to be a huge help - and now she has gotten out of the habit of pulling, and walks well on just a collar for quick trips. I still use the GL in situations where we might see other dogs or anything else that tempts her to pull, but we are SLOWLY getting to the point where she won't need to wear it all the time.

 

[dharmadoodle]

As long as Grumpy's not pulling my shoulder out, that's walking nicely to me!

Same goes for me with Rogue.

Decide what kind of walk you want to teach though, & stick to that as not to confuse. Heel is one thing & they say harder to teach, & loose leash is another.

 

[Tinarmrz]

I don't know about boxers Abby is only 9 weeks so I havn't even tried walking her. When I walk my Schnauzers I like them to be right beside me, if they walk in front they think they are the boss. I like the way ceasar (dog whisperer) walks dogs, it makes since to me.

There is a little boy about 12 or 13 years old that walks his boxer by my house everyday and that dog walks beside him, nothing distracts him, not even the Shnauzers raising heck at him. I am always so amazed how that little boy has his boxer walking so nicely. The Boxer looks to be full grown, very nice looking dog and well behaved.

 

[Alex C.]

Wow that IS impressive. I would love to actually get to having off leash control with Brandi.

Maxwell's Ma, I do just that. Stop when she starts to pull. We must stop like 20 plus times when she begins to tug. If I get tired of stopping so much, then as soon as I feel the leash get tight, I tell her no or hey! She knows what it means because she slows down for a second....I mean mili-second then goes back to it. She wears a safety collar so I know she feels it squeeze when she pulls on the leash, but its still not enough to deter her.